"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." -Thomas Paine- December 23rd, 1776
The immortal words of Thomas Paine once echoed through the American colonies, inspiring a wave of patriotism that ultimately led to the British defeat at the hands of George Washington's Continental Army (with a massive assist from the French, Spanish, and Dutch, of course).
However, when Paine wrote "The Crisis" things weren't going so well for Washington's not-so-merry men. The excitement of the unlikely triumph at Concord was long gone, as was the cautious optimism stemming from the moral victory at Bunker Hill. More than a year had passed since those feel-good stories and in that time the American Revolution had played out just like everyone expected it to: with the British dominating. They had one of the greatest armies on Earth with professional, well equipped soldiers and were taking on a Patriot side that was essentially just farmers with guns. It was like last season's Lakers, with inspiring wins over the Clippers and Rockets to start the year off but then reality set in that the Lake Show just didn't have the talent to compete.
The British were rolling and the Continental Army could do nothing but retreat. Essentially, the British were in LeBron James' version of heaven, where their superteam could coast to one victory after another without having to challenge themselves. After enduring the British front-running for so long the idealistic Americans were ready to break. The losing had taken its toll and more than a few were questioning whether maybe, just maybe, this whole "take on the world champs with a bunch of plucky rookies" thing was such a great idea.
They have tickle fights in LeBron's heaven too. Don't ask.
The bandwagon began to empty and the great Revolution was running on fumes when Thomas Paine picked up his pen and preached perseverance. While the credit for the continuation of the Continental Army can't solely go to Paine his words unquestionably made an impact. It was fitting, as Paine had previously written "Common Sense", the pamphlet which helped inspire the colonial Americans to take up arms against the British.
When he wrote "The Crisis" Thomas Paine had to find a way to convince the demoralized American troops to continue fighting. Using his uniquely inspiring style Paine focused on describing a certain character trait that was necessary for success to be found. While Paine never mentioned this trait by name he alludes to it in his denouncement of the soldiers who were quitting on the Revolution. What America needed was Winter Soldiers.
To Paine, what he called Summer Soldiers are today known as front runners. The guys who are flexing and shouting when things are going their way and they are steamrolling inferior competition, but are quiet as soon as things get tough, the guys who won't do the dirty work necessary to get the win.
*Ugh that's two LeBron references already.
*Ugh that's two LeBron references already.
Instead, Paine reached out to the men who were made from a different stock. The guys who never stop fighting in spite of the odds. The men who let nothing stand in their way. The ones who push themselves farther and farther until history marvels at their greatness. These were the Winter Soldiers that Paine sought.
His words found friendly ears, allowing Washington to lead his freshly-inspired troops into a confidence-boosting victory at the Battle of Trenton. The Revolution was saved.
Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers currently find themselves in a moment of crisis. The greatest franchise in the history of sport has been reduced to record-setting losses and embarrassing play.
Many fans have hopped off the bandwagon amidst a barrage of heckling and media pessimism. The haters celebrate the demise of the former Goliath, shouting "how the mighty have fallen!" with a pride that suggests they feel as though they somehow played a part in slaying the giant.
It appears as though the Los Angeles Lakers are in need of a miracle. Like the Continental Army they find themselves hopelessly outgunned and overwhelmed on a nightly basis. Their opponents simply have more firepower, more proven soldiers, and they know what it takes to win.
Washington, of course, could sympathize with Kobe Bryant. Both men found themselves supported from behind by a rabid fan base that is desperate for victory. In front of them stood an enemy that appears to be unbeatable To their left and right, fighting alongside them, was a rag-tag bunch who simply doesn't have what it takes to win. And yet both men fought on, never willing to admit defeat. At some point though, even the great ones need help.
* We've learned three things so far this year: 1- Kobe can still play at a very high level. 2- Kobe has no one on the team he can rely on night-in and night-out. 3- Steve Nash is secretly still a Phoenix Sun...has to be, just no other explanation.
It's apparent that the Lakers need to re-stock their cupboard, that they need new stars to lead them into the future. Just as George Washington found his army replenished when the French and Spanish agreed to join him the hope amongst the Laker faithful is that Kobe will eventually get a similar kind of help.
However, before that can happen the Lakers need to prove themselves worthy of assistance, just as the Continental Army had to prove that they had what it took to win before the French or Spanish would sign on. Free agents need to see that the Lakers organization will not back down and will keep after it until they are back on top.
The Lakers quite simply haven't shown that yet. They are missing a crucial piece: Winter Soldiers. The thing that Thomas Paine prescribed for the Continental Army nearly 240 years ago is precisely what the Lakers need today.
Just as Paine wasn't speaking to solely one portion of the army, the entirety of Lakers Nation must find their own Winter Soldiers if the team is going to turn things around.
The Front Office
Over the past few years the Lakers front office has been faced with one challenge after another, from Stern's heinous actions and Dwight's cowardly ways to the death of the beloved Dr. Buss. Now the Buss children, most notably Jimmy and Jeanie, have to step in to fill their father's sizeable shoes during the most tumultuous time in Lakers history.
With more questions than answers the media narrative about the Lakers front office seems to be that Mitch is a skilled GM and Jeanie is a competent leader. Jimmy, on the other hand, makes poor decisions and is undeserving of his position at the helm of basketball operations.
With the mounting losses the Lakers front office will continue to be abused in the media. Jimmy will, rightly or wrongly, continue to be the media's scapegoat. However, they must not panic. To swing for the fences too soon through either free agency or trade could result in the team being stuck in mediocrity for much longer than anyone wants to see.
With limited assets it is increasingly important that the front office continues to make shrewd moves, like the deal with Houston that landed Jeremy Lin and a draft pick. There have been a number of missed opportunities as well but to be fair the Lakers are in an unfamiliar situation and need to learn how to truly rebuild. Jimmy and Mitch must be opportunistic in free agency (as they were with Ed Davis) as well as on the trade market. They need to build a core that will compete hard and generate positive press before they will be able to find the home-run move.
If they can endure the pain of the rebuilding process and make intelligent, long-term moves the Lakers will find themselves back in the hunt sooner rather than later.
The Team
Being a Laker is far from easy right now. The players and coaching staff are reminded constantly that they are failing to live up the franchise's glamorous history, which can affect the confidence of even the most professional players.
Kobe Bryant does what he can on a nightly basis and continues to defy all those who claim that his career is done. Still, at 36 he can't be expected to carry a team of journeymen to the playoffs regardless of how superhuman he appears to be.
The remainder of the Lakers players have to fight through these hard times, and they need to fight for something more than just their next contract. They need to fight for pride, both in themselves and the organization. Even as the losses pile up and frustration grows they have to continue to plug away, doing everything they can to improve both as a team and individuals.
Similarly, Byron Scott and his coaching staff have to continue building a culture. It takes time for any coach to get adjusted to a new environment, but the early results for Scott have not been positive. His defense-first approach has fallen flat as the team doesn't have the athletes necessary to become as stingy as Scott would like. However, the coaching staff must continue to believe that someday the Lakers will be that team, that someday the future will arrive.
The Continental Army wasn't turned into a fighting force overnight. George Washington's side was undisciplined and unruly, and he found himself too often pushed into the role of disciplinarian. Washington resorted to brutal tactics to keep his soldiers in line and in camp, but ultimately the tough love paid off. When the Prussian drill instructor Baron Von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge he found a group that was inexperienced but malleable, one that could be transformed into something greater. And transform them he did, just as Byron Scott must do with the Lakers.
*If only we could pull a Bill and Ted and bring Baron Von Steuben to Lakers practices. That would be excellent.
Coach Scott also has to realize that this season is about rebuilding. It's about establishing a culture not for the team as it's constructed now but for the team that will be brought together in the future. Being a coach is often a thankless job filled with uncertainty, but the coaching staff must not fall into despair. Losing doesn't always equate to a loss. To lose without growing, without building, that would be truly tragic. Regardless of the record the coaching staff and players must continue to push forward.
The Fans
For the fans the past few years have been exhausting. Watching the purple and gold sink into obscurity has been excruciating, especially seeing as it all started with the diabolical actions of David Stern and his unjustifiable veto of the Chris Paul trade. Since that moment it's been nothing but maddening injuries, free agent misses, and Dwight Howard treachery. Meanwhile, the basketball being played on the court has been progressively getting worse and worse.
The current Lakers team is just plain hard to watch as the losses are accumulating quickly. While it certainly isn't a situation that any fan want to be in there is opportunity to be found amidst the sorrow. For decades Lakers fans have been labeled as band wagoners, as front-runners who only support the team because of their success.
The time to change that perception is now. Lakers Nation must continue to support the purple and gold in spite of the hardships. Those who make it through these difficult years will come to appreciate the eventual return of Laker glory that much more.
Going into the battle of Bunker Hill there were many who expected the Patriots to turn and run at the first sight of adversity, just as many around the league expect Lakers fans to do now. But the Patriots didn't run, they stayed and fought, inflicting massive damage upon the British army and only retreating after they had ran out of ammo. In fact, they were so reluctant to give up the hill that the Patriot soldiers loaded bits of glass and nails into their rifles after they ran out of ammo, intent on inflicting as much damage as possible.
It's this kind of attitude that Lakers fans must have now. Support the franchise, support the coaches, and most of all support the team. Let the naysayers come and fire back at them. Prove that Lakers fans do not shrink in times of darkness but instead stand strong. The juice will be worth the squeeze.
The Continental Army found their Winter Soldiers and Success followed. It's time for the Los Angeles Lakers to do the same.
Follow me on Twitter @16ringsNBA for more Lakers goodness!
The current Lakers team is just plain hard to watch as the losses are accumulating quickly. While it certainly isn't a situation that any fan want to be in there is opportunity to be found amidst the sorrow. For decades Lakers fans have been labeled as band wagoners, as front-runners who only support the team because of their success.
The time to change that perception is now. Lakers Nation must continue to support the purple and gold in spite of the hardships. Those who make it through these difficult years will come to appreciate the eventual return of Laker glory that much more.
Going into the battle of Bunker Hill there were many who expected the Patriots to turn and run at the first sight of adversity, just as many around the league expect Lakers fans to do now. But the Patriots didn't run, they stayed and fought, inflicting massive damage upon the British army and only retreating after they had ran out of ammo. In fact, they were so reluctant to give up the hill that the Patriot soldiers loaded bits of glass and nails into their rifles after they ran out of ammo, intent on inflicting as much damage as possible.
It's this kind of attitude that Lakers fans must have now. Support the franchise, support the coaches, and most of all support the team. Let the naysayers come and fire back at them. Prove that Lakers fans do not shrink in times of darkness but instead stand strong. The juice will be worth the squeeze.
The Continental Army found their Winter Soldiers and Success followed. It's time for the Los Angeles Lakers to do the same.
Follow me on Twitter @16ringsNBA for more Lakers goodness!
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