| 13 August 2010
Yes, we're still a month away from training camp. But there's nothing wrong with having an early look at our beloved Lakers. Right? I figured since the roster is now set (barring an unexpected trade now until pre-season), it's safe to plug away and put this thing out.
So here goes the first of three parts. (Sorry, I couldn't help it. So I apologize to those who hates reading.)
After a season that showed their very best and their frustratingly worse, the Lakers continue to forge their dynasty by having one of their most successful off-season in years thanks to General Manager Mitch Kupchak's ability to attract quality talent while keeping within the team's budget. With so much attention paid to the revamping of the Miami Heat, Kupchak went under the radar and retooled the back-to-back champions by chipping away last year's rough spots to make a sleeker and a more rugged championship team equipped to make a third run at a third title in as many seasons.
Gone are underachieving Jordan Farmar, rarely-used shooter Adam Morrison and solid-but-underwhelming bigs Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga. They are replaced by proven veterans that Phil Jackson can rely on more than the aforenamed players coming off the bench. Steve Blake should provide instant stability and offense from the point-guard position. Matt Barnes gives the second unit much-needed defense and toughness. Theo Ratliff's shot-blocking and rebounding add to an already impressive frontline.
The Lakers also signed their two second-round rookie forwards Devin Ebanks (non-guaranteed contract) and Derrick Caracter (2-year contract with guaranteed first year) on Friday bringing the roster to 14 players under contract. The NBA requires each team to have at least 13 players signed and 12 players suited throughout the entire season. Luke Walton is expected to be placed on the injured list indefinitely because of nagging pains in his lower-back.
With an improved bench, having the core players intact and bringing back Phil Jackson for his final season, the Lakers are set to defend their title once again with renewed motivation and confidence that they will once again be the last team standing in the end. The Lakers will kick-off the season (and get their rings) against the Houston Rockets (sans Trevor Ariza who got dealt to the New Orleans Hornets as part of a 4-way deal) on Oct. 26th. Then, they'll get their first-look of Dwayne Wade's (not Lebron) new Heat team on Christmas at Staples Center. But, their rematch with the much older Boston Celtics (thanks to the two O'Neals) won't be until Jan. 30th here at home.
The Lakers also will only have 15 of those dreaded back-to-backs this upcoming season compared to 20 last year. Plus, their final weeks of the season will be against some of the league's mediocre teams. However, they won't have as many home games at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season as that of last year.
Things are once again looking up for our champs. But what are the chances of the Lakers accomplishing their second three-peat of the decade next year? Well, they needed to have a better bench. They did. So I'd say very, very good!
But before we examine their biggest threats from both conferences, let's take a look at the Lakers from top to bottom beginning with the starting line-up.
The Starters
Derek Fisher (PG): After signing a 3-year deal to stay this summer, there's no doubt D-Fish will end his career with the Lakers. After 14 years in the NBA, he has never been criticized and picked-on by the media as the weakest link of the starting five as much as last season. But once again, he proved all his doubters wrong when it mattered the most. However having turned 36 years of age on Aug. 9th, his critics will probably come at him harder this upcoming season. Will Fish be able to silence them again? Well, the better question is: when has he not?
Kobe Bryant (SG/SF): Are there any adjectives left to describe the one and only "Black Mamba"? I mean the guy is the very definition of an athlete that takes the notion of "winning is the only thing" to a new level. His level. That's what separates him from any other athlete in the NBA today. But for some reason, he has gotten his share of doubts from the media even while nursing a list of injuries that would have put any other player on the shelf for weeks. As far back as he could remember, Kobe have always had a personal mission of becoming the best. Next season will be his chance of having as many rings as Michael Jordan. Will he be denied that chance even if someone tries to get in his way? Neither do I.
Ron Artest (SF): The lone addition to the roster last season that a lot of people believed will be the first and last reason to the Lakers failing to repeat. But as we all saw, he was everything but a distraction to the team. Now that he has his first ring, will Ron be as motivated to fight for another one this time around? Definitely! Last year was a learning period for him in the Triangle. His competitive side wants to show everyone that he can conquer the complexity of Phil Jackson's system and that he still can play better defense than he did last season.
Pau Gasol (PF/C): "The Spaniard" was one of the heroes of Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. Pau started shedding his "soft" label after the Lakers won the title in 2009. After winning his rematch with Kevin Garnett and his battles against the entire Celtic frontline, that label is finally off of his back. But don't expect him to lose his motivation of playing for more titles. This guy has become addicted to collecting championship rings as much as anybody in the team.
Andrew Bynum (C): The kid became a man this past season by adopting Kobe's warrior-like approach to dealing with the aches and pains of his injured right knee. Andrew refused to miss a single game in the entire post-season and vowed to never again let his team down by not being there for them in the Finals. With his knee surgically fixed and the NBA All-Stars making its way back to L.A. this season, Andrew wants to make a serious run at becoming an All-Star this season. But the question in everybody's mind is: Will he be able to stay away from the injury bug this season? We can only hope.
Part 2 looks at the improved second unit and what to expect from Phil in his final coaching season with the Lakers.
Links: Click here for Part 2. Click here for Part 3.
