Los Angeles Lakers 2010-11 Preview

[Ashy Larry]

Team Name: Los Angeles Lakers (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/los-angeles-lakers)

(http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/los-angeles-lakers)
Last Year's Record: 57-25

Key Losses: Jordan Farmar (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21874/Jordan_Farmar)

Key Additions: Steve Blake (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21685/Steve_Blake), Matt Barnes (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21517/Matt_Barnes), Theo Ratliff (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4366/Theo_Ratliff)



(http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4366/Theo_Ratliff)
1. What significant moves were made during the off-season.

Where do I even begin? Change is not a word often associated with two time defending champions, and with the 5 most prominent members of the Los Angeles Lakers all locked up for multiple years, one wouldn't figure the Lakers would be in for a massive roster overhaul. None of that stopped GM Mitch Kupchak from having one busy and, in the opinion of this humble blogger, spectacular summer. Kupchak completely changed the back end of the team, allowing Jordan Farmar to leave via free agency, and politely telling Adam Morrison (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21537/Adam_Morrison), Josh Powell (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21701/Josh_Powell) and DJ Mbenga to seek other employment.



In their place come Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, and two rookies Devin Ebanks (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/113518/Devin_Ebanks) and Derrick Caracter (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/113603/Derrick_Caracter). Looked at on a like for like basis, it seems like an improvement at every turn. Blake fits the Lakers need for a "point guard" much better than Farmar did, Barnes as depth at small forward (in case Luke Walton's back injuries continue to hamper his career) over Adam Morrison is a no contest, and Ratliff provides experience off the bench that neither DJ Mbenga nor Josh Powell could muster. And the rookie haul is especially impressive when you consider that the Lakers seem to have found two keepers when they had only a mid and late 2nd round pick. On top of all that, Derek Fisher (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21648/Derek_Fisher) and Shannon Brown (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21861/Shannon_Brown) were re-signed for continuity, so the Lakers now have a roster that is theoretically much deeper (and more mature) than last year's version.




2. What are the team's biggest strengths?

The team's biggest strength, both literally and figuratively, remains the Lakers front line. Kobe Bryant (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21869/Kobe_Bryant) is a spectacular player, but it is the trio of Pau Gasol (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21732/Pau_Gasol), Andrew Bynum (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21865/Andrew_Bynum), and Lamar Odom (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21877/Lamar_Odom) that make the Lakers nearly impossible for anybody in the league to match up with. And if all else fails, they have the best closer in the game to fall back on.


After the front line, the Lakers 2nd biggest strength is an extremely versatile roster, capable of winning in a variety of ways. Last year's offense lacked the potency of previous versions, but with Ron Artest (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21629/Ron_Artest) hopefully finding a little more comfort in the offense, and what should be a much more consistent bench unit, look for the Lakers to improve somewhat in that regard. But, as last year's Finals has proven, they can also go toe to defensive toe with the best defenses in the land. Put simply, no matter how you play, the Lakers are capable of beating you at your own game.






3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?

The team's biggest weakness is outside shooting. Last year, behind below-career-average performances from just about every perimeter player, the Lakers shot 34.1% from 3pt range, good for only 24th in the league. That poor shooting allowed teams to clog up the middle, and was a major cause of that previously mentioned lack of potency on offense. With a few bounce-back performances (specifically from Kobe) likely, and the improvement brought by Steve Blake, the Lakers should improve on last year's mark, but it still remains their biggest weakness.


Also, with Blake not being the speediest of characters, and Derek Fisher one year closer to fossilization, the Lakers remain susceptible to attack by quick lead guards. However, with as much size as the Lakers possess inside, there's only so much damage a little guard can do to them.






4. What are the goals for this team?


To have fun and do their best, and at the end of the season, to have a big pizza party. Seriously, they are the back-to-back defending champs, what do you think their goal is?
Not that they need any extra motivation, but this looks to be Coach Phil Jackson's last season, so he'll be looking to ride off heroically into the sunset. One more ring ties Kobe with Jordan, and if Ron Artest doesn't win another ring, he won't have one, since he intends to auction this year's ring off to charity.






5. How hard will the Lakers push to get the best record in the NBA?

There is no question the Lakers are the class of the Western Conference, and despite the protestations out of OKC, Portland, and the state of Texas, they are damn near a shoe-in to be the Western representative in the NBA Finals for at least one more year. However, the Lakers have not had the best record in the NBA for either of their two recent championship campaigns, luckily backing into home court advantage in the Finals both years. After last year's experience, in which home court advantage was so vital to their tital defense, and with the prospect of a Miami team which will be desperate to throw up a very high win total to turn around some of that bad publicity, will the Lakers chase after the extra 8 to 12 wins it will take to ensure a potential Finals game 7 will once again take place at Staples Center?


After all, there's no way to look at last year's 57-25 as anything other than a massive disappointment when looked at on its own. Injuries certainly played a role, but lack of focus and an unwillingness to play the right way (especially on offense) were the main killers to last year's regular season. My guess is the Lakers will play with improved focus, and have a vastly improved regular season record, but will likely fall short of the best record in the NBA. Good thing for them, a team still has to beat them 4 times in 7 games to win a championship.


Predicted Record: 64-18



http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2010/9/22/1703501/los-angeles-lakers-nba-preview

[Venti Quattro]

please don't tell me you're posting all 30 teams' previews

[Ashy Larry]

Oh, Hell naw...... probably just the teams that matter which is about six

[lefty]

64-18 seems right

[Venti Quattro]

I agree with the projected record, we might probably repeat 65-17.

But the biggest weakness is Bynum's shaky health.

[TheMACHINE]

the whole point guard issue used to worry me, but we've seen what the Lakers can do against Westbrook, Willaims, Nash and Rondo. So im cool.

[lefty]

They stacked !!!!

[Venti Quattro]

the whole point guard issue used to worry me, but we've seen what the Lakers can do against Westbrook, Willaims, Nash and Rondo. So im cool.

"team defense" and "funneling to shotblockers" got invented :lmao

[TheMACHINE]

Fisher made those cats look like scrubs.

[Andy Clark]

the whole point guard issue used to worry me, but we've seen what the Lakers can do against Westbrook, Willaims, Nash and Rondo. So im cool.

Westbrook and Rondo completely torched the Lakers. Williams played solidly tood.

[Venti Quattro]

Fisher made those cats look like scrubs.

:lmao :lmao :lmao How quick we are to forget that Kobe had to guard Westbrook because Westbrook was absolutely murdering Fisher with his speed. In the end it was the lack of length by OKC that did them in. They got out-tipped by Gasol for fuck's sake! And oh yeah Fisher also made Rondo look like a scrub via Kobe Bryant's defense! ROFL

[Andy Clark]

:lmao :lmao :lmao How quick we are to forget that Kobe had to guard Westbrook because Westbrook was absolutely murdering Fisher with his speed. In the end it was the lack of length by OKC that did them in. They got out-tipped by Gasol for fuck's sake! And oh yeah Fisher also made Rondo look like a scrub via Kobe Bryant's defense! ROFL

thank goodness to see a lakerfan regulating a dumbass lakerfan.

[Venti Quattro]

thank goodness to see a lakerfan regulating a dumbass lakerfan.

Just setting the record straight brah. In the end we all cheer for one team

[ohmwrecker]

Key Losses: Jordan Farmar (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21874/Jordan_Farmar)

Shouldn't this be listed under additions?

[TheMACHINE]

:lmao :lmao :lmao How quick we are to forget that Kobe had to guard Westbrook because Westbrook was absolutely murdering Fisher with his speed. In the end it was the lack of length by OKC that did them in. They got out-tipped by Gasol for fuck's sake! And oh yeah Fisher also made Rondo look like a scrub via Kobe Bryant's defense! ROFL

and when we look back in 50 years, the younger cats will say "Damn..that Fisher dude made those cats look like scrubs"

[Giuseppe]

Westbrook and Rondo completely torched the Lakers. Williams played solidly tood.

All three joined Nash where we left 'em:::dead in the ground.

[Giuseppe]

and when we look back in 50 years, the younger cats will say "Damn..that Fisher dude made those cats look like scrubs"

& he waited & waited & waited on the Celtics to make that one mistake.

& when they finally made it, Fish snatched the life right out of 'em.

Just like that.

[Venti Quattro]

Shouldn't this be listed under additions?

sshhhhh... they have to make it look like the Lakers regretted the departure of Farmar to Jersey City

[TheGreatest23]

Fishers legacy will make those guys look like scrubs...thats for damn sure.

Fisher just setting trends.

[Venti Quattro]

and when we look back in 50 years, the younger cats will say "Damn..that Fisher dude made those cats look like scrubs"

50 years from now, Fisher will be remembered more for his clutch performances, and not actually running point guards to the ground. Which is really not a bad thing. Anyone who has an Internet connection would figure out that it's not really Fisher's strong suit. Yes, even 50 years from now.

[TheMACHINE]

50 years from now, Fisher will be remembered more for his clutch performances, and not actually running point guards to the ground. Which is really not a bad thing. Anyone who has an Internet connection would figure out that it's not really Fisher's strong suit. Yes, even 50 years from now.

i honestly dont give a rats ass whether or not fisher can run point guards to the ground. All i care is that he is a leader, shows heart and makes baskets (including free throws) when it counts. Thats and his 5 rings is what makes all these other cats looks like scrubs compare to him. ;)

[JamStone]

i honestly dont give a rats ass whether or not fisher can run point guards to the ground. All i care is that he is a leader, shows heart and makes baskets (including free throws) when it counts. Thats and his 5 rings is what makes all these other cats looks like scrubs compare to him. ;)

Robert Horry making Karl Malone and Charles Barkley look like scrubs...

[TheMACHINE]

Robert Horry making Karl Malone and Charles Barkley look like scrubs...

damn right...althought Robert Horry wasnt a "captain" of his team unlike D-Fish.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The best thing to say would be that outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.

[TheMACHINE]

Robert Horry making Karl Malone and Charles Barkley look like scrubs...

imho, outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.

[Chillen]

The team to beat! they are back2back NBA champs and have to be unseated by some NBA team or it's a 3peat.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

imho, outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.
:lol

Either way, PG is maybe the least important defensive possession. If you have good defenders at the 4 other positions, you're never gonna lose a playoff series because the PG other the other team played THAT well.

[TheNextGen]

The best thing to say would be that outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.


imho, outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.

:lol

well played sir

[Giuseppe]

Allen did get ass broke.

Just cuz Media let him off the hook doesn't change that fact.

[duncan228]

The NBA, A-through-Z: Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-NBA-A-through-Z-Los-Angeles-Lakers;_ylt=ApzxqrQloKY41JVMDfsmb7q8vLYF?urn=nba-271884)
By Kelly Dwyer
Ball Don't Lie

For the next few weeks, I'm going to pick an NBA-related subject, A-through-Z, and tell you why it's worth your time, and why it's one of the reasons I love covering this league.

Because that's why I wanted to become a scribe who's paid to cover this league. Sharing the things I know and love with those of my kind. All that stuff.

Because I'm lucky enough to have your ear for however long, I don't care that this might come off as a bit twee. A little embarrassing. A little too forthright. I'm OK with that. Hopefully you are, as well.


"L" is for the "Los Angeles Lakers."

Mainly because there's potential there. And in basketball, more than any other sport, the lure of something that can thrill you well beyond what is offered on paper will keep you coming back. Time after time.

So the Lakers, despite those consecutive championships, don't look all that scary on paper. Little depth, brittle center, aging superstar. OK, things aren't that bad, but you can see why people might underestimate the Lakers. And, following the freak show that hit Miami this summer, I'm pretty interested in the newest, bluest way of taking in the Los Angeles Lakers.

The league's plucky overachievers.

Yes, that's pretty stupid, but the Lakers are the little team that plugs away beautifully. Sure, they boast four guys making eight figures a year, including the coach, and the team's run is pretty well-documented on national TV. Heck, it was pretty well-documented even when this outfit was shooting for 45 wins a year. But with all these superstars taking their talents to South Beach, a team full of pass-first brains running what 28 other coaches consider an outmoded offense almost seems a bit quaint.

I understand what route I'm going down, here. For years we read breathless columns from sports writers talking up the New York Yankees as if they were the hitless wonders, or some squad with a low-rent payroll that was bunting and squeezing its way to the top. It was ruddy awful, and in a few weeks when Derek Jeter goes opposite field after a 10-pitch at bat late one night on TBS, you'll read it all over again.

The Lakers? They're always on TV. A-list celebrities are often stuck with B-level ducats at their games. Your grandmother knows Kobe. Your co-worker thinks Pau would look better with a shave. Your dad remembers Phil Jackson with a mustache. Your fantasy team died last year because Bynum missed all those games. Everyone knows the Lakers.

But at their greatest, they're still the best thing this league has.

Because the Lakers are greater than the sum of their parts. This is a sport that encourages mathematics along those lines, far more than baseball or football does, and the Lakers are that ideology's acknowledged avatar. They just seem to get it, even when Kobe is forcing all those 20-footers.

Every so often, Kobe will give up the rock just after picking up a pass from Derek Fisher, just inside half court. Someone will come to meet the ball with a foot on the 3-point line. Then the wheels go into motion, spaced 15-to-18 feet apart, and something pretty results. Even if the shot spins out.

It's possible the Heat, considering their roster's innumerable basketball gifts, pull something off that approximates the balance and precision of the Lakers at their best. It's possible the Heat, in a Riley-esque two-man system, bump and chuck and groove their way toward 75 wins (not an exaggeration, because LeBron's dodgy supporting cast in Cleveland allowed him to win 66 games last season) and a championship. Frankly, despite all the enmity that resulted from "The Decision," I'm hoping for something along those lines, because I'm in this for good basketball.

But the Lakers, we know, will bring that flow. Even if they fall short. They fell short in 2008 against the Celtics, and it was still a fantastic watch. We know this team -- as much as I rail against its offense -- is aesthetically the best thing this game offers in 2010. It's also the best team we have right now, and I love the fact that these two things are running hand in hand. For a good chunk of my fandom -- say, George W. Bush's two terms -- this wasn't the case. I don't really blame our former president for that, but I don't particularly mind associating him with that ugly NBA turn. I also blame the pants I was wearing that night for the Bulls losing the lottery in 2002.

It's nice to have an empire that isn't evil. As annoying as the Derek Fisher fawning can be, as frustrating as the "Kobe missed seven of nine shots in the final period, but when the game mattered, the NBA's best clutch player [sic] delivered" nonsense is, this is still a team worth appreciating to no end. Kobe's competitive instincts, his on-court brilliance, his all-around game. Pau Gasol's unending array of gifts. That one time a week where Lamar Odom looks like the best player to ever play this game. That three-week stretch where Andrew Bynum is the best center in basketball. Ron freaking Artest. Phil Jackson and that sideline triangle.

They're just a monster. Basketball at its best. And I wish they were playing tonight.

[HarlemHeat37]

Lakers are going to have some problems coming up this season..

- Kobe is aging..his decline was evident last year, struggling heavily in the playoffs against the only good defensive teams he went up against..he's constantly battling through injuries, which is natural with aging athletes, and it'll only get worse(even though Kobe is a world-class competitor and works as hard as anybody)..

- They still lack 3-point shooting..Blake was the only addition to improve the shooting, and I doubt he tops Farmar's 40% 3-point shooting during the playoffs..so they're going to be just as bad as last year from a 3-point shooting perspective, barring some unforeseen improvement..

- PG rotation..same problem as before..Fisher keeps stepping up in the playoffs though, we'll see if he can continue that, it truly is amazing(while being completely unappreciated by most Laker fans, btw)..

These problems are the same as before, except they weren't going up against a super-team at that time..they have made it through without Bynum doing much for the last 2 years, but they will not be able to succeed without him this year..

[IronMexican]

I don't think LA is got 60 wins this season. They'll probably coast to #1 in the West, and not worry about chasing the Heat for best record.

[Daddy_Of_All_Trolls]

Heck, I am just going to enjoy the season. Lakers did get better though and remain the real favorites. No one can sleep on anyone among the elite.

Lakers over Boston finals 2011.

[Giuseppe]

Ron freaking Artest

....making Pierce sorry.:rollin

[Ashy Larry]

It's not gonna be any cake walk for the Lakers ...... just play smart, play hard and be the first to sixteen playoff victories.

[JamStone]

- They still lack 3-point shooting..Blake was the only addition to improve the shooting, and I doubt he tops Farmar's 40% 3-point shooting during the playoffs..so they're going to be just as bad as last year from a 3-point shooting perspective, barring some unforeseen improvement..



Steve Blake is a career 39.3% three point shooter. His career playoff three point shooting is 43.9%. I question why you think Blake isn't at the very least capable of topping 40% in an offense that should present very good spacing and open looks for him.

Matt Barnes is another addition. Not a great three point shooter, but like Farmar, has shot the ball well in the playoffs. Barnes is a playoff career 40.3% three point shooter. Likewise, he should get some nice looks in the Lakers offense. The Lakers and their fans just hope he doesn't take too many stupid three point attempts. But if he's shooting at or near a 40% clip, he can help.

[Koolaid_Man]

Lakers are going to have some problems coming up this season..

- Kobe is aging..his decline was evident last year, struggling heavily in the playoffs against the only good defensive teams he went up against..he's constantly battling through injuries, which is natural with aging athletes, and it'll only get worse(even though Kobe is a world-class competitor and works as hard as anybody)..

- They still lack 3-point shooting..Blake was the only addition to improve the shooting, and I doubt he tops Farmar's 40% 3-point shooting during the playoffs..so they're going to be just as bad as last year from a 3-point shooting perspective, barring some unforeseen improvement..

- PG rotation..same problem as before..Fisher keeps stepping up in the playoffs though, we'll see if he can continue that, it truly is amazing(while being completely unappreciated by most Laker fans, btw)..

These problems are the same as before, except they weren't going up against a super-team at that time..they have made it through without Bynum doing much for the last 2 years, but they will not be able to succeed without him this year..

YAAAAWWWNNNN

so tell me Harlem where would u like to go today? fantasize much aye?

Here's a rainbow for you to ride...
vwrybM6tL-8

[DeadlyDynasty]

Steve Blake is a career 39.3% three point shooter. His career playoff three point shooting is 43.9%. I question why you think Blake isn't at the very least capable of topping 40% in an offense that should present very good spacing and open looks for him.

Matt Barnes is another addition. Not a great three point shooter, but like Farmar, has shot the ball well in the playoffs. Barnes is a playoff career 40.3% three point shooter. Likewise, he should get some nice looks in the Lakers offense. The Lakers and their fans just hope he doesn't take too many stupid three point attempts. But if he's shooting at or near a 40% clip, he can help.

Jam bringin' the goods

[midnightpulp]

YAAAAWWWNNNN

so tell me Harlem where would u like to go today? fantasize much aye?

Here's a rainbow for you to ride...
vwrybM6tL-8

Lol.

You're a lolcow.

[HarlemHeat37]

Steve Blake is a career 39.3% three point shooter. His career playoff three point shooting is 43.9%. I question why you think Blake isn't at the very least capable of topping 40% in an offense that should present very good spacing and open looks for him.

I knew that, I actually meant significantly better, TBH, forgot to put it in, my bad..

I'd be surprised to see him shoot significantly better than Farmar's 40% on 50+ attempts from 3-point range..I actually do think he can equal it, he's a better shooter than him, but I wouldn't bet on seeing a large margin..

Farmar is an inconsistent shooter, before anybody thinks I'm claiming he's a good shooter..he went on a hot run during last year's playoffs..based on his career totals, I don't believe he could have equaled that run in 2011, I just pointed out that he had a hot stretch in 2010..


Matt Barnes is another addition. Not a great three point shooter, but like Farmar, has shot the ball well in the playoffs. Barnes is a playoff career 40.3% three point shooter. Likewise, he should get some nice looks in the Lakers offense. The Lakers and their fans just hope he doesn't take too many stupid three point attempts. But if he's shooting at or near a 40% clip, he can help.

Barnes is an overall average 3-point shooter over his career..

Like Farmar, he can get hot for long stretches, so I acknowledge that..on the other hand, he also has stretches where he's extremely poor from 3-point range..it usually meets somewhere in between..

Lakers desperately need consistent 3-point shooters..Kobe, Artest, Fisher and now Barnes are all inconsistent shooters from outside, streaky shooters..obviously with streaky shooters, it goes either way..

Blake is an upgrade over Farmar, but like I said, shooting better than 40+% on 50+ attempts isn't an easy task..Farmar's shooting was very underrated during the 2010 run for LA..

[Venti Quattro]

The best thing to say would be that outside of 1 game Fisher made Ray Allen look like a scrub.

DoK you missed out on game 2. But to be fair to Fisher, Ray Allen made anyone guarding him look like a scrub on that historic shooting night. Even Kobe :lol

[duncan228]

NBA Season Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/20/nba-season-preview-los-angeles-lakers/)
Kurt Helin

Last season: 57-25, top seed in the West, which they rode all the way to their second consecutive NBA crown. They came within half-a-quarter of losing to Boston on their home court in Game 7, but no Kendrick Perkins and no balloons in the rafters this time gave room for a dramatic comeback win.

Head Coach: Phil Jackson, who says that this is his last season coaching. Probably. Expect him to play with the media on that topic all season, but behind closed doors he will use it as motivation for the three-peat run. Because he wants to one more ring he won’t give to Jeanie Buss.

Key Departures: Jordan Farmar, who was always a poor fit in the Lakers system and talked of wanting more playing time and a starting job. For those reasons we’re not sure why he went to New Jersey to back up Devin Harris, but still not a big loss for the Lakers.

Aside that, DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell were allowed to walk.

Key Additions: Steve Blake comes in at point guard and is a perfect illustration of what GM Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers do well — get players to fit the system. Blake is a solid NBA point guard, one who struggled the second half of last season when the Clippers decided to get out and run and he had to handle the ball in space. What he does is shoot the three, not make mistakes and play reasonable defense. Which is exactly what the role of the point guard is in the triangle. Blake is an okay fit most places, but he is a guy that is exactly what the Lakers need — and he may get more minutes than the aging Derek Fisher this season.

Matt Barnes will come off the bench to spell Ron Artest and gives the Lakers a little more toughness and wing defense. He’s a guy that fits the Lakers because he is versatile — he can guard twos or threes, and if you want to go really small he can even play some four. Not that the Lakers go small much.

Also in are draftees Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, free agent center Theo Ratliff, and also Shannon Brown and Derek Fisher were re-signed. (Fisher for three years, which is a little surprising considering the decline in his play.)

Best case scenario: They win a third consecutive NBA title to send Jackson off in style, and just before the end of the season the Lakers bring back Mark Madsen so he can dance at the victory parade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ciMXvSE8U).

For that to happen: The Lakers need to play a little more consistently in the regular season then be healthy and stay healthy through the playoffs.

Here’s the bottom line — while everyone was looking at Miami, the two-time defending world champions got better and deeper. Their two biggest weaknesses — point guard play and depth on the wing — were addressed. This is still the team to beat in the NBA and if you think they aren’t still hungry you haven’t met Kobe and Ron Artest.

The Lakers had the best regular season record in the West last season, but they needed six dramatic Kobe game-winners to get that. Sure, that’s why you have Kobe on your team, because he is a walking highlight reel. But live by the game-winning jumper, die by the game-winning jumper. The Lakers need to rest Kobe more during the season (same with all their key players) and that means winning a few more games by 17 and not a last second shot. Which is easier said than done in a deep west when you have a target on your back, but that is the task.

Also, In the regular season last year, the Lakers got lax about ball movement on offense, if they do that this year they pay a bigger price.

Come the playoffs, the Lakers still have the most talented, well-compiled roster in the Association when they are all healthy. The key is the Lakers long and agile front line is unmatched — and it means big things on both ends of the court. On offense teams simply cannot matchup the length and quickness of Bynum and Pau Gasol (with Lamar Odom off the bench). That often leads teams to pack the paint to stop LA (or slow them, really) giving the Lakers good looks from the outside. Something the Lakers did not take great advantage of last season, but the addition of Blake and Barnes may change that. Even when teams know what is coming Gasol and Bynum still get theirs, especially when the Lakers execute the offense.

The bigger advantage is on defense — that long front line protects the rim and covers the problems the Lakers have defending quick point guards. The Lakers have three guys now — Kobe, Artest and Barnes — who they can sick on wing players to slow them, but that can be less effective with little point guards. However, everything is better when Bynum is behind the play using his long arms to erase mistakes.

More likely the Lakers will: Go back to the finals at least. Predicting who comes out of the East now and that matchup is impossible. But unless the Lakers come back to the pack in the West they are the best team by head and shoulders in the conference. There are a lot of interesting teams on the second tier in the West, but they are all on the second tier for a reason.

The finals is where health — particularly the health of Bynum — comes in. The Lakers got a title last season with Bynum dragging his leg through the playoffs, that will not happen this season. They need him to be healthier, because the task will be tougher.

Prediction: 58-24, first in the West and another trip to the finals. Then it will all be about health, because if they are the Heat are going to find the same problems with that long front line everyone else does. Well, the Heat will find problems with that and Kobe.

[Giuseppe]

It's early, but, Blake has that Mitch Richmond, Tracy Murray, that idiot we traded for Morrison look about him.

Fuck me.

[Ashy Larry]

It's early, but, Blake has that Mitch Richmond, Tracy Murray, that idiot we traded for Morrison look about him.

Fuck me.


He'll be fine. I've watched him in the offense and he's getting great looks. Just not falling right now. But the looks are there. If he shoots remotely close to what he did for the Clipshow, they'll be coasting.

They don't need more scoring. Rebound and defend and keep people off the offensive boards and limit those second shot opportunities. Whenever they have done that, they usually win by double digits.

[duncan228]

Lakers taking low-key approach to title defense (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakerspreview)
By Greg Beacham

While the entire basketball world focused squarely on Miami for the past three months, the Los Angeles Lakers waited quietly across the continent, polishing their rings and enjoying the show.

“I was thinking, ‘Wow, how did Pat Riley pull that off?”’ Kobe Bryant said.

Bryant’s laugh betrays no hint of anxiety. For a team with two straight titles, the league’s largest payroll and the most successful coach in NBA history beginning possibly his final season, the Lakers appear looser than Ron Artest on a weekend Twitter barrage.

While recognizing the historic nature of the upcoming months in their quest for their 17th NBA crown, the Lakers exhibit the casual confidence of a team that has largely stayed intact through three straight trips to the NBA finals, only adding veteran pieces to a core with the league’s most impressive pedigree.

Miami is drawing all the Heat early on, and that’s just fine with the champions. The Lakers know who they are.

“We’re confident in ourselves,” Bryant said. “I’m not a guy, and we’re not a team, that worries about what other people are doing.”

Los Angeles also begins the regular season Tuesday night against Houston with its pieces still a bit askew, and not just because of a preseason trip to Europe interrupting their training camp.

After grinding out their second title with a Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in mid-June, the Lakers’ regulars mostly took the summer off for repairs and revitalization.

Pau Gasol had his first real summer vacation since 2005, skipping summer duties with the Spanish national team, while Bryant and center Andrew Bynum had surgery. Coach Phil Jackson retreated to his Montana ranch, where he quickly decided he couldn’t pass up the chance to make a run at an unprecedented fourth NBA threepeat.

“When there’s history on the table, it’s hard to resist that,” Jackson said. “I think we have the players to do that, and I think we got better in the offseason with our acquisitions and our recovery. There’s still a very long way to go, but this journey could be unique.”

None of the Lakers’ regulars could resist that journey—not even backup guard Shannon Brown, who might have blossomed outside of Bryant’s shadow, but wasn’t willing to sacrifice a championship run to find out. Derek Fisher also turned down an offer from Miami, rejoining Bryant to chase their sixth rings together.

“This team is still a juggernaut,” said Lamar Odom, the U.S. world champion who will start for the Lakers until Bynum returns. “We have so many people that can do it inside and out. No matter who’s the first, second or third option, we’re still one of the best offensive teams in the league.”

Bynum is sidelined for at least another month after offseason knee surgery, which he delayed to make a trip to the World Cup with Bryant, who still isn’t back in top health after his own offseason surgery. Jackson is likely to limit Kobe’s minutes early on, hoping to wean him off the 39-minute-per-game pace of his past six seasons.

“I’m not as concerned about his shot as him just having the overall ability to have the energy he wants to play with,” Jackson said. “His shot will come as soon as he gets that. He’s the best caretaker of his own health I’ve ever seen. … I think he just needs to play some ball, and he’ll be fine.”

Gasol took a break from the nonstop grind of the last half-decade, but still made several trips to various exotic spots on the globe. Jackson has emphasized the need for greater leadership from the 7-footer this season, particularly while Bynum is out and Bryant is limited.

“I always adjust to the team’s needs,” said Gasol, who also cut his rock-star hair. “Kobe is our main guy, for sure. We’re just trying to get as healthy as possible to start off the year. We want him to be 100 percent throughout the year, but probably not at the beginning, if we had to choose. I’ll step up in whatever role we need until then.”

The Lakers front office didn’t sit still, either. General manager Mitch Kupchak went to work building a bench that should be markedly better than the unit that repeatedly gave away leads and forced starters to play long minutes last season.

Underachievers Jordan Farmar, Adam Morrison, Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga are out. They’ve been replaced by three rugged NBA veterans—point guard Steve Blake, agitating swingman Matt Barnes and venerable shot-blocker Theo Ratliff— and the return of forward Luke Walton, whose back problems limited him to 29 games last season.

All three could play significant roles for the Lakers this season, and all three are grateful to be a part of the next chapter in their storied franchise’s history.

“This is why you start playing basketball when you’re a kid,” Barnes said. “You want to be a part of great teams, and you want to win championships. The other stuff is great, the individual stuff, but if you play in this league long enough, you realize the only thing that’s important is the rings, and this team has a great opportunity to get one.”

[duncan228]

Lakers ‘10-11 Preview (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/10/lakers-10-11-preview/)
by Myles Brown
SLAM

Is this really necessary?

We all know the situation. Adding Steve Blake, Matt Barnes & Theo Ratliff solidified the rotation. A rested Pau Gasol will be invaluable while Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum are on the mend. Lamar Odom won yet another championship and as of yet, Ron Artest hasn’t lost his mind. Plainly put, the West got weaker and the Champs got better. Oh, and Sasha got engaged. There. Now can we talk about something important?

This is the end.

Phil is leaving, LeBron is coming and Kobe is almost gone. This is the last year the Los Angeles Lakers will be championship favorites. Now the pomp and circumstance normally involved with such a sendoff has been usurped by the Miami Heat welcoming committee, but maybe that’s for the best. Because in the end, the Lakers don’t need to win 70 games, they just need to win more games than anyone else.

It’s not an option this time, it’s a necessity. We may not even be discussing them as defending champions had the Boston Celtics not eliminated the two teams who would’ve held home court advantage over L.A. No, this time despite the inevitable injuries, the temptation of complacency and the malaise of February, the Lakers have to come out on top. Otherwise, they’ll have to come to Boston or Miami for games 6 & 7, a far more daunting task than handling business in a seemingly meaningless mid-March matchup with Milwaukee.

Presumptuous? Yes. Probable? Yes again. That’s the problem. For all the excitment surrounding South Beach’s Superfriends, the Big Leprachaun or Phil’s last dance, much of it will be treated as a formality. We’re all just waiting for June. But if all of Phil Jackson’s teachings could be summarized with a single lesson, it would be to live in the moment. And in this, his final season, it’s imperative that his team performs as though every moment counts. Because it honestly is that simple. In order to win later, they have to win now.

This may seem-no, it is-quite short, but it’s because we’ve been here before. We know the new guys will occasionally struggle with the offense, the bench will struggle with consistency, Bynum will struggle with his recovery and Kobe will continue to struggle with his ego. We also know there will be nights when they put it all together and contraction won’t sound like a bad idea for some of their opponents. This isn’t news, we know everything about this team already. Well, everything except the ending.

And that’s the preview that matters. So come back in about eight months and we’ll do this again.

Prediction? 60-22, Conference Champs. See you in June, bitches.

[Giuseppe]

If they ring, Phil will return. He'd be compelled.

[HarlemHeat37]

Well, well..looks like Harlem was correct..