NBA Podcast: Complete L.A. Lakers 2012-2013 Season Preview

By acquiring Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and Antawn Jamison, the L.A. Lakers have ensured that 2012-2013 will go down as either one of the franchise's defining moments or greatest disappointments.

In this episode of Basketball by Association, NBA assistant editors Ethan Norof and Joel C. Cordes break down all the key roster losses and additions, discuss the biggest storylines to watch and set realistic expectations for the Lakers.

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Despite a relatively "successful" 41-25 record in 2012, everyone expected a big splash as L.A. rebuilt its shallow bench and (potentially) added some new star power.

Yet, the Lakers now have a lot of work to do in the offseason, training camp and first few months of the NBA year. How quickly can they acclimate all these new parts? Jamison, Jodie Meeks, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark are all fine bench reinforcements, but what will the rotation be around starters Nash, Kobe, Metta World Peace, Gasol and D12? 

How will this roster fit into new assistant coach Eddie Jordan's Princeton offense? Can Mike Brown manage four superstars on the same roster?

How long before Dwight is fully right, and how long can Nash STAY healthy now that he's away from the Phoenix Suns training staff?

Will this group avoid the ignominy of the 2004 "Legends Team" that featured Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton, Karl Malone AND a respectable bench? Are the Lakers better than the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat and other serious contenders?

There are still more questions than answers, but watching them play out will be engaging theater nonetheless.

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