Daily Rant: 2/15/11

They say that youth is lost on the young. The problem is that "they", who are saying that, are usually old. In sports however, youth is not wasted, it is coveted. With the NBA trade deadline looming (2/24), teams are starting to get tired of losing and are looking to dump their older, expensive talent and get younger for next year or for the playoffs. The Lakers, whom most believe are one of the elite teams in the NBA, are beginning to show some of their age lately, as well. They have a superstar in Kobe Bryant who, surprisingly, has been in the NBA for 15 years. Kobe is still at the top of his game, but those surrounding him in LA can't seem to hide their wrinkles recently. Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom might not have enough in their tanks to secure another championship for LA. So what are the rumors about in LA?? No, not that Lindsay Lohan is applying for a Laker-Girl position, it's that the team is looking to trade for youth (Carmelo Anthony). There is no substitution for talent, but, the combination of talent and youth will win championships 9 out of 10 times. It looks like "Melo" will either stay in Denver or end up in NY via trade, but the fact that LA, a team at the top of the NBA, is still looking to make moves just goes to show that youth is never a waste when it comes to securing more wins then the others. The teams who aren't making any trades, but are out of the playoff hunt, have been displaying their youth night in and night out and are filling their arenas. Fans will watch young, athletic players that have potential, even if their team has a losing record. It is the hope of the future that will always draw attention. No one will watch a bunch of older, washed up players go at it and lose. Milwaukee, the Clippers, Washington and even the Nets, have drawn bigger crowds because of their rookies and younger players that are all just that much fun to watch. Mixing talent, experience and youth will always be the recipe for success in sports, it's going to come down to which ingredients in the pot stir up a tasty victory.