L.A. Lakers: What Each Player Can Do to Help Win the Title Next Year

The Lakers were swept in their most recent playoff run.

Something was obviously lacking.

Their team seemed to lack the savvy and drive that lead them to championships the two years prior. The progression of their players has seemed to come to a halt. In fact, with Derek Fisher, he has slowly hurt the Lakers because of his mediocre play compared to that of his glory days.

The stubbornness of the Lakers was the true reason they had no shot at winning it all. They have slowly molded their careers and are no longer focused on getting better and developing their individual games.

No player is perfect. That's what they need to realize.

With a new coach in Mike Brown, the Lakers are going to need to accept the new system and the changes to their roles that come with it.

Luke Walton: Request a Trade

Luke Walton has worn out his welcome as a Los Angeles Laker. His whole career has been an experiment by L.A. to see if Luke could develop into a significant factor on the Lakers.

Luke has proven to be poison to the Lakers on both ends of the court. You can tell he puts in the effort, but sometimes, you just don't have it.

What was once a decent role player in Los Angeles has turned into every fans nightmare.

So, based on the last four seasons (which came after a six-year contract), the only thing Walton can do to get relatively back into Lakers fans' hearts is to request a trade.

This would undoubtedly bring smiles to Los Angeles' fans faces.

Theo Ratliff: Retire

Theo Ratliff isn't the most well-known center in the league, but his presence has always been felt.

Throughout his entire career, Ratliff has been known as a premier shot-blocker and enforcer in the paint.

He has made it to the finals and an all-star team.

Now he is officially undergoing the twilight of his career.

He was taken 18th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1995 draft. He is 37 years old and just finished his 16th season as an NBA player.

He has turned into wasted cap-space. I respect him as a player and would be happy to see him win a title, but not with the Lakers.

He needs to come to the realization that he is no longer a dominant center in the NBA.

Joe Smith: Retire

When Smith came into the league, he was as dominant as they came at his position. He was known for his athleticism and powerful jams.

Now he is just another failed experiment of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Joe Smith never found the right team that both made him the franchise player and was a serious championship contender.

Smith was dealt to the Lakers midseason from the New Jersey Nets for Sasha Vujacic. While Smith has turned into a rarely-used reserve on the Lakers, Vujacic has turned into one of the key factors on an up-and-coming Nets team.

Los Angeles got the short end of that trade.

Smith has played on the Warriors, 76ers (twice), Timberwolves (twice), Pistons, Bucks, Nuggets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Thunder, Hawks, Nets, and most recently, the Lakers.

Joe Smith's time in the NBA is up.

Ater Majok: Play One or Two More Years of International Basketball

Ater Mojak probably has the least-developed game out of all three Laker rookies. He is yet to find an effective way to play on a regular basis.

He is a good shooter for his size, but at the NBA level, man can not live by jump-shots alone. On the defensive end, he is a gifted shot-blocker.

With more experience, Majok can develop into a player similar to that of Amare Stoudemire.

Andrew Goudelock: Focus on Developing His Defense

Andrew Goudelock has already made a name for himself as a prolific scorer. He had one of the best shots in the NBA draft. He can shoot from deep and with his range, can easily transition to the NBA three-point line.

What he has to do is make himself a reliable defender as well.

If he can not stop the younger point guards, then he may not be able to crack the rotation behind Kobe Bryant,Shannon Brown (if he chooses to stay), Steve Blake, and Darius Morris.

If he can be relied upon on defense in tough situations, he would be considered clutch on both ends of the court(he already is considered clutch on offense).

Darius Morris: Learn to Shoot

Darius Morris has a play style similar to that of Rajon Rondo.

He can pass the ball like few others and has amazing court vision(especially for his age). He is a fast player that finishes well, hustles, and can run the fast-break at nearly every opportunity. He is a pass-first player that indulges himself in setting up teammates.

But he can't shoot for his life.

Darius finished his final season as a Wolverine with a disappointing 17.9 three-point field-goal percentage.

Rajon Rondo may have found a way to get past this, but with the Lakers in dire need of some shooting, a better jumper will surely be asked of Morris.

Derrick Caracter: Focus on His Offense

Derrick Caracter made the team last year because of his rebounding, hustle, and defensive presence.

To truly become a consistent contributor for the Lakers, Caracter must become a more developed offensive player.

With a good mid-range jump-shot and better post-game, Caracter could go at the defense in many ways. If he could acquire a go-to move in clutch situations, Derrick Caracter could grow into a key role on the Lakers.

Trey Johnson: Become a Better One-on-One Defender

Trey Johnson's game is very similar to that of Andrew Goudelock. He is a talented scorer and a gifted shooter.

He showed potential in his playoff appearances on the offensive end, but he struggled to keep up with Hornets' backup Jarret Jack on the Lakers' side of the court.

If Johnson could work on developing his defense in one-on-one situations, he could be recognized as a significant upgrade to Derek Fisher and get the edge over Andrew Goudelock for more playing time.

Derek Fisher: Accept a Bench Player's Role and Become a Mentor to Younger Guards

Derek Fisher has been a rock on the Lakers roster for years. He has been the symbol of wisdom on the squad and has set a fine example for all NBA players.

He has most recently been leading the charge for the National Basketball Players Association during this lockout.

He has been slowed, though.

Derek Fisher can no longer keep up with the new wave of young point guards (Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Russel Westbrook).

He held back the Lakers last season and because of his stubbornness, refuses to except that.

The best thing he could do is accept that the Lakers can no longer use him as their starting point guard, and become a mentor for the young players that will take his place.

Steve Blake: Make Sure He Knows Mike Brown's Offense Inside and out

Steve Blake was the biggest signing last offseason for the Lakers.

The fans and team got excited at the acquisition. They new what they were getting. A defensive-minded point guard that is a consistent three-point threat. He was thought to be the best fit for Phil Jackson's triangle offense out of the entire free agent class of 2010.

Or so they though.

Steve Blake had a disappointing first year with the Lakers. His three-point shot and overall field-goal percentage was down, his efficiency wasn't up to par, and worst of all, he would seem to get lost on the opponents side of the court not fully understanding the perplexing offense.

He needs to make sure that doesn't happen again. Especially with a new coach in Mike Brown and a new offense to go with it.

Devin Ebanks: Prove He Can Play a Key Role on the Lakers Bench

Devin Ebanks is a combination of all the things the Lakers need. Defense, athleticism, scoring, energy and most importantly, youth.

Apparently, though, he couldn't convince Phil Jackson he can play up to the standards that are asked of most Lakers players.

With a new coach, Ebanks has a clean slate. He has the skills. All he has to do is turn that into production on the basketball court.

If he does that, it will be hard for Mike Brown to turn him down.

Shannon Brown: Re-Sign with the Lakers

Shannon Brown has made a name for himself in Los Angeles.

What was once a D-League throw-away, has turned into a highly desirable free agent. His role on the Lakers was important, and he rose up top the occasion.

With Mike Brown's new offense, Brown would shine even brighter. Mike Brown, contrary to Phil Jackson's primarily half-court offense, is an up-tempo one that uses the fast-break more effectively than coach Jackson's.

Shannon Brown is one of the more athletic players in the league and the number of opportunities for his crowd-pleasing dunks would rise significantly.

Shannon Brown can also do more than people think. He can shoot, drive, and run an offense if asked to play the point guard position. He is a pest on defense and his probable departure should not be taken lightly by Los Angeles.

So, if he wants another championship ring, his best bet is to stick with the Lakers.

Matt Barnes: Make Sure He Doesn't Get Injured

Matt Barnes turned out to be the most significant signing by the Lakers last season. His production on both ends of the court was enough for the Lakers to see a welcome addition to the roster.

At the start of the season, Barnes did nothing to contradict this.

He was successful on the team and was a more than solid back-up for Ron Artest.

But then, due to a torn meniscus, Barnes was forced to have surgery and did not return until March and missed a total of 24 games.

The Lakers would be pleased to have Barnes available throughout the entire season, so Matt should make it a priority to stay healthy.

Ron Artest: Return to His Former Self

Ron Artest is going through a life-changing journey. He has been stepping up his attitude on the court.

Unfortunately, this needs to come to a stop.

Ron Artest was once one of the most feared defenders in the league. He was a ruthless competitor and tough as nails. He was suspended 73 games because he attacked a fan. He was one of the most hated players in the entire league.

Now he seems to have gone bananas.

He has softened up considerably, no longer striking fear in his oppenent's eyes.

If he wants another ring, he has to turn back into the "True Warrior" Ron Artest, not transform into "Metta World Peace."

Lamar Odom: Stop Playing Point Guard and Focus on the Power Forward Position

Lamar Odom has been on the roster since the end of the Kobe-Shaq era. He is one of the most versatile players in the league. He can play every position on the court. Odom can take the ball up the court, produce playing off the ball, and post-up against players much taller than him.

But Odom playing the point guard position needs to end.

The Lakers definitely have more then their fair share of capable point guards. They have Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, Darius Morris, Trey Johnson, Andrew Goudelock, and at the end of the list, Lamar Odom.

If Odom wants to be able to produce with the Lakers, he needs to find a position on the roster that is not filled(Power Forward) and focus on playing just that. The Lakers big man rotation has received a lot of praise during their time together, and if the Lamar and the Lakers want to succeed, nurturing its "triple towers" is a good idea.

Andrew Bynum: Keep Attitude in Check

Andrew Bynum is already a force in the NBA. He is strong, rebounds, and blocks shots with the best of them.

But when he elbowed an air-born J.J. Barea on the brink of being swept by the soon-to-be-champs Dallas Mavericks, I had to question his emotional maturity on the court.

Don't get me wrong. A lot has been asked of Bynum at a very young age. He was one of the more consistent players on the Lakers throughout the entire post-season.

But the Lakers franchise is one built upon its history and therefore, each player must represent the pride of the Los Angeles Lakers with their play and attitude.

Andrew Bynum's mood can not change with the Lakers' success.

Pau Gasol: Become Tougher on Both Ends of the Court

Pau Gasol is one of the most skilled big-men currently in the league. He has great footwork and is probably the best finisher at his position. He has great touch with both hands and can step back and take a shot from mid-range.

On defense he is a decent shot-blocker and with Andrew Bynum, the two form an infamous "twin towers."

What has been questioned is his toughness. He has been criticized by players such as Kevin Garnett countless times. In the 2008 Finals, in his first year with the Lakers, he was dominated by Kevin Garnett and struggled to produce on offense and defense.

He responded well the next two years matched up against Dwight Howard and none other than Kevin Garnett, but was dominated by Dirk Nowitzki last postseason.

If he can develop some more muscle and some post-moves this off-season, his efficiency on offense would sky-rocket and Gasol would fair better against players like Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and Dirk Nowitzki.

Kobe Bryant: Accept Mike Brown and the Fact He Is Getting Older

Kobe Bryant is entering his 16 year in the league. He has gone from an afro-strutting, leaper to the deadly assassin and mid-range specialist we know today as the Black Mamba.

The last thing you want to do is ask him to change.

Kobe Bryant has worked hard to defy father time and still remains a top five player in the NBA. Injuries are treated like no big deal and it has caught up to him.

He now has to accept that his age means a new role on the Lakers. He is still the star, but he needs to make room for the future.

Phil Jackson has left and Mike Brown has entered. We are entering a new era in Lakers history and Kobe must accept this for the better of the team.