strength back then. You didnt have to be quick; you haad to be strong to play in

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 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 rankingsWholesale China Jerseys .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Cheap Jerseys Online . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/ . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries.TORONTO -- Jaromir Jagrs mullet is older than half of the players on the Toronto Maple Leafs.No, seriously.Jagr, now with the Florida Panthers, played his first NHL game on Oct. 5, 1990. Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri was born the very next day. And at 26, hes one of Torontos veterans these days. Budding star Auston Matthews is 19; William Nylander is 20. In all, a dozen players on the Leafs current roster were born after Jagr made his NHL debut.But to be honest, when the 44-year-old Czech legend looks around, thats pretty much what hes seeing almost every night in the NHL these days.The invasion of youth around the NHL is truly the story of the hour.A lot of young guys are playing in the league and theyre getting opportunities, Jagr, gray-specked mullet wrapped up in a bun, told ESPN.com Wednesday after practice. Back then, there were so many good young players, too, but they just didnt get a chance.Well, he should know. He was there. He lived it as a teenage rookie in the NHL. Except Jagr was one of the few 18-year-olds who cracked an NHL roster in those days. Now, its commonplace.Unless you were drafted top-five in the world, I dont think you had a chance in your first year back then, in my opinion, said Jagr, the fifth overall pick in 1990. It doesnt mean they were bad players, its just that they didnt get a chance. It was a different game. It was a different style. But you had to get older to get your turn. Same with the money; you had to earn it [as players got older]. Same with the opportunity. It was different.The difference was the way in which the game was played, Jagr added.You needed strength back then. You didnt have to be quick; you haad to be strong to play in that league back then, said Jagr.dddddddddddd You dont have strength when youre 18. You have speed when youre 18. But you dont have strength. So you had to wait back then for a little bit. Now, because the game has changed, its more about the speed, so theres more opportunities for the guys. When youre 18, youre quick.Jagr truly is a rare specimen, an elite talent who has been able to adapt and thrive in a few different eras of the NHL. He had the physical strength as an 18-year-old to break through in 1990 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, plus the incredible hands and vision in his prime years to dominate the NHL, and now the smarts and regimented physical work habits to still have an impact while nearing his mid-40s.His durability is even more impressive, given how young the league is trending in the last few years.Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo -- who broke into the league in 1999 as a 20-year-old goalie with the New York Islanders -- smiles when asked about the kids taking over the league.It reminds me that Im old, said Luongo, 37. But its nice to see the game evolve. Its a faster game and a more skilled game.Luongo points to how prospects hone their individual skills with specialty coaching.Now everybody as a kid works on skills; theyve got private lessons and all that kind of stuff. I think thats why you see more and more kids come up that are ready at 18 and 19 years old to play, said Luongo. Because they have a skill set thats pretty high. Its nice to see the game evolve in that direction. ' ' '