There was a reason we brought him here in the first place. | Forum

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. Sheldon Neuse Jersey . 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Los Angeles LakersOverall: 109 Title track: 29 Ownership: 73 Coaching: 72 Players: 109 Fan relations: 112 Affordability: 116 Stadium experience: 80 Bang for the buck: 120 Change from last year: -8Coming off their worst season in franchise history and after missing the playoffs three straight seasons, is it any wonder the rebuilding Lakers continue their Ultimate Standings slide? The (somewhat) bright side: Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott are out, which gives Luke Walton and the Lakers kids a chance to start anew.Whats goodThe Lakers boast the most wins in NBA history and the second-most titles (16). With their Hollywood allure and deep pockets, history has shown that this franchise is always one big move from greatness, so the title track remains strong (29 overall). Fans are hoping those big moves might have already happened: The teams all-under-24 core, headlined by Brandon Ingram and DAngelo Russell -- the past two No. 2 overall picks - offers hope. But the Lakers will still get crushed most nights, especially in the merciless Western Conference. The good, old days grow ever distant. For now, fans can count on another draft lottery appearance -- the teams fourth straight.Whats badBryant and his two-year deal for $48 million are out the door, but beyond the unproven potential of fledgling talent (with a 109th-place ranking in players, fans clearly arent convinced), there isnt much to be excited about on the court. With Bryant departed, the Lakers bang for the buck ranking fell to last among NBA teams and third-worst overall. Even if the Mamba wasnt always his old self, he was appointment viewing (reference: his 60-point finale). The Lakers tickets remain pricey -- an average $103 a ticket, cheaper only than the Knicks -- so their affordability is also quickly approaching rock-bottom.Whats newThe Lakers lost a franchise-worst 61 games in Byron Scotts first season, then lost four more than that in his second. Along the way, his old-school rhetoric -- such as lambasting the deluge of 3-pointers -- and penchant for roasting young players wore fans patience thin. Enter Luke Walton, a former Laker who played (and won titles) under Phil Jackson and coached alongside Steve Kerr. Walton is a rising star and a much-needed upgrade (hence the 29-point boost in coaching, up out of the triple digits), but the leagues youngest coach (age 36) has a long road ahead to return the cellar-dwelling Lakers to contending status.Next: Brooklyn Nets?| Full rankings Dennis Eckersley Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Dick Green Athletics Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. https:///...ersey-athletics.html . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. As the playoff hopes of the Pittsburgh Pirates took a hit during the last two and a half weeks, all Gerrit Cole could do was watch.The Pirates ace will make his return from the 15-day disabled list (elbow) Monday when Pittsburgh opens a four-game series in Philadelphia. But the Pirates have almost eliminated themselves from the playoffs. Sundays loss in Cincinnati marked their third in a row and 11th in their last 13.Theyve fallen to 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the final wildcard spot in the National League playoff race. Theyre now 69-72 on the year. Pittsburgh was 63-61 when Cole last made a start.Cole, the teams ace, has had a disappointing and injury-plagued 2016. He has a 3.55 ERA in 20 starts. In his last four starts before hitting the DL with elbow inflammation, he gave up 34 hits and 17 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings, helping drop his record on the year to 7-9. This, after an impressive 2.60 ERA in 32 starts in 2015.Its the injuries that slowed him in 2016.It is awful, Cole said Thursday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Especially in a season like this where you feel you can make an impact. But you deal with the cards you are dealt and try to make the best hand out of it.Now, hell likely have four more starts to right his season, as the Pirates fight to save their playoff hopes.Im a big believer that the greatest indicator of the present is the past, athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk told the Post-Gazette. But Im also stubborn and want to be a pioneer and move forward and try to do something different to prevent these injuries. So, sure, (Cole) is more prone to injuries with three in one season.Howevver, were going to have an all-systems attack on how were going to address a lot of his kinetic-chain issues that may or may not have caused some of his ailments this year. Skye Bolt Athletics Jersey. In Philadelphia, Cole and the Pirates meet a Phillies team that freshly promoted two prospects, outfielder Roman Quinn and catcher Jorge Alfaro, and is finishing out another year of rebuilding. Quinn, a Top 10 prospect in the Phillies system, started in his MLB debut Sunday. He batted second and played center field.Quinn went 0-for-3 with a walk and a diving catch in his debut.The Phillies (63-80), losers of three straight after a 3-2 loss in Washington Sunday, are likely to call up more prospects as they play out the final strings of 2016. And theyll likely use a variety of pitchers down the stretch, as some pitchers are reaching their innings limits.Veteran righty Jeremy Hellickson (10-9, 3.90 ERA), whom the Phillies decided to hang onto at the trade deadline, meets Cole Monday night.Hellickson, 29, has been the veteran presence and innings eater the young Phillies pitching staff has relied on.I think having Jeremy here is very important to our club, general manager Matt Klentak said last month. There was a reason we brought him here in the first place. The reason we traded for him was to add some stability to our rotation, help to mentor our young pitchers, to help to protect them from the workloads, help to save the bullpen.Hell continue to do all of that as the final three weeks of the season play out. ' ' '