Many consider the new look Lakers to be a band of misfits destined for failure. So much so, that an anonymous source has recently likened the team to a popular 90's sitcom and also comparing LeBron James' new teammates to one of the show's laughable characters.
In his piece for ESPN, Pablo S. Torre cites an unnamed source from the Western Conference callously throwing shade at the team's new recruits. The source implied that the quartet of Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, and Michael Beasley — all of which were recruited by the Lakers this summer, along with James — are nothing more than a joke.
“If the Lakers were ‘Family Matters,'” says one Western Conference source, “this would be like adding four f—ing Urkels.”
That's one way of looking at it, I guess. Also more endearingly known as the “Meme Team,” this collection of veterans has somehow rubbed so many people the wrong way that most are unable to take them seriously. Nevertheless, comparing them to Urkel — a character known primarily as a screw-up and mostly serves as nothing more than a comic relief — may be a bit over the top.
Sure, they may be an odd bunch, but they were handpicked by the Lakers for a reason. It's not as if they were randomly selected by GM Magic Johnson. The new Lakers head honcho certainly has a plan in place (after all, he did just recently successfully recruit one of the best players to ever grace the court), and all four newcomers surely have their roles to play.
The hate is strong right now, and it is up to James, the Meme Team, and the rest of the Lakers squad to prove them wrong. They will have their next crack at redemption on Saturday night at home against the Houston Rockets, as the team tries to avenge their opening night defeat at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers.