The Biggest Concerns Facing the Lakers Title Defense

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: A reflection off of the Bill Russell MVP Trophy of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the post game news conference after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 to win the NBA Championship in Game Five of the 200

It was a hard road back, for the Lakers, en route to claiming another NBA Championship. Now that they have, they look primed to hold onto this trophy for another year.

The NBA season is long and allows for many road bumps along the way. If the Lakers get derailed on their quest for back to back titles it will be because of one or several of these reasons.

Injuries

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 12: Trainer Gary Vitti examines an injury to the shoulder of Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 12, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: U

Injuries are the fastest way to derail any team. They could not overcome a season ending injury or a playoff time injury to Kobe or Pau. They have the depth to handle an injury to any other player, however, health at playoff time is a major factor. If this is the season Bynum stays healthy then this team has the chance to go down as one of the all-time greats.

The Artest Factor

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds a baseball bat and wears a mask while taping a public announcement for the Los Angeles Dodgers during Lakers media day at the Lakers training facility on September 29, 2009 in E

There is an unlimted number of ways Captain Crazy could derail a title defense.

Complacency

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Pau Gasol #16 waves to the crowd from the top of a double decker bus at the start of Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship victory parade outside the Staples Center on June 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen

The drive and heart of last year's team was often directly attributed to the previous season's failure in the Finals. Most notably there was a difference in the ferocity of Pau's play.

Will he and the rest of the team come out with the same intensity?

It is hard to imagine Phil and Kobe letting the heart of this team fall off a notch, but it is not out of the realm of possibilities.

The Weakness of this Squad

LOS ANGELES - 1987: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers posts up Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Is at the position once ruled by this man. The concern is not on the offensive end, but when the other team's Point Guard has the ball.

Penetration Kills

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets moves the ball against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 6, 2009 in Los Angele

The Lakers were pushed to the brink last year by a depleted Rockets team. This was largely due to the Lakers lack of a defensive answer for the ultra quick Aaron Brooks.

The Biggest Challenger to the Thrown

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket in between Derek Fisher #2 and Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2008 at Sta

The Spurs look to be the Lakers stiffest competion in the West. Who is going to guard Tony Parker?

Dr. Clutch

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts in the final minute alongside Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2008 at Staples Center

Laker fans love what the Fish brings to the table. Defense, however, is not one of the items he serves for dinner.

The Young and the Restless

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 25: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs drives past Jordan Farmar #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2008 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOT

Farmar has often been used on defense to guard the quick. He is far from being considered a defensive stopper.

His erratic game and lack of improvement, at times, make him a liability. Will this season see Farmar take steps forward in the progression of his game?

The Great Unknown

LOS ANGELES - JUNE 7: Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic drives against Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 101-96 in overtime.

Shannon Brown blew the lid off of his unexistant expectations after he was acquired from the Bobcats last year. He made an impressive transition to the Triangle Offense and flashed brilliance while infusing spark on the defensive end.

His athleticism is off the charts. Is it too much to ask of the 6'4 Brown to be the defensive stopper on whatever Mightey Mouse the Lakers may face?

The Big Experiment

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2008 at Staples Center in Los A

Early in camp the Lakers have been experimenting with The Machine running the Point. Time will tell if this is a legitimate plan to get him on the floor or to let him know that touching the ball does not mean you have to shoot it.

Sasha has improved his defensive game, but it is unrealistic to think that at 6'7 he could stay with the quicker Point Guards around the league.

He certainly could provide his own match-up problems on the other end.