The Real Reason for the Lakers’ 2012 Playoff Exit? An Aging Kobe

24 hours after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2012 playoff ouster, the weather remains sunny in Los Angeles, although the future of the Lakers remains as ominous and as cloudy as ever. The Lakers are officially cap-strapped, have an aging core, lack perimeter shooting, lack consistency at the PG position, and no longer have the same chemistry that once made them title contenders. But then again, they are the Los Angeles Lakers, and as we all know, Laker magic strikes once every 5-7 years. As such I implore you to keep your eyes open for that upcoming Pau Gasol for Dwight Howard and Deron Williams trade….. believe me, its right around the corner. The media pundits in Los Angeles have had a field day, positing a myriad of reasons for the Lakers’ demise:  Pau Gasol’s second consecutive lackluster playoffs in which he went from averaging 17 ppg on 50% shooting during the regular season, to 13 ppg on 43% shooting during the playoffs. Ramon Sessions’ complete disappearance in which he went from...