irishock
08-21-2013, 01:31 PM
Outside of the loss of Dwight Howard (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2384/dwight-howard) and Bryant's injury, the argument can be made that the Lakers' roster actually improved. The additions of Nick Young (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3243/nick-young), Wes Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4247/wesley-johnson) and Jordan Farmar (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3002/jordan-farmar) bring much needed athleticism and (marginally better) shooting to the perimeter. Chris Kaman (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1982/chris-kaman), while past his prime as a starting center, still can contribute as a rebounder and screener as a backup center. Perhaps more importantly, Steve Nash (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/592/steve-nash) and Pau Gasol (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/996/pau-gasol) will have had the entire summer to rest and rehab from the assorted ailments that dogged them throughout the 2012-13 season. Make no mistake, they aren't anywhere near their prime selves, but when healthy, they still can be high-level contributors, particularly with Gasol moving back to his natural position of center.
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/110.png&w=65&h=90&scale=crop&background=0xcccccc&transparent=false
Bryant
But the greatest improvement might come from an unlikely source: chemistry. For most offensive systems and defensive schemes, player buy-in is essential. Buy-in basically means not only accepting "what we are doing," but sticking to it so that everyone can trust that what's supposed to happen will happen. Think about fire drills from your elementary school days: You practice what to do in case of a fire so that chaos doesn't ensue. Without player buy-in, players freelance and chemistry breaks down. Howard and Bryant, in different ways, were the kids who were most likely to freelance instead of follow fire drill procedure, and that caused an immense amount of friction and tension within the team. Their absences give the Lakers a chance at fostering that missing chemistry. If they can do that (and stay healthy), expect the Lakers to be in the hunt for a playoff berth. If this season becomes more about proving the superhuman abilities of Bryant, then a date with commissioner Adam Silver at the NBA draft lottery is forthcoming.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9587914/nba-burning-questions-pacific-division
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/110.png&w=65&h=90&scale=crop&background=0xcccccc&transparent=false
Bryant
But the greatest improvement might come from an unlikely source: chemistry. For most offensive systems and defensive schemes, player buy-in is essential. Buy-in basically means not only accepting "what we are doing," but sticking to it so that everyone can trust that what's supposed to happen will happen. Think about fire drills from your elementary school days: You practice what to do in case of a fire so that chaos doesn't ensue. Without player buy-in, players freelance and chemistry breaks down. Howard and Bryant, in different ways, were the kids who were most likely to freelance instead of follow fire drill procedure, and that caused an immense amount of friction and tension within the team. Their absences give the Lakers a chance at fostering that missing chemistry. If they can do that (and stay healthy), expect the Lakers to be in the hunt for a playoff berth. If this season becomes more about proving the superhuman abilities of Bryant, then a date with commissioner Adam Silver at the NBA draft lottery is forthcoming.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9587914/nba-burning-questions-pacific-division