Final Postseason Roster Analysis of the 2012 Los Angeles Lakers

Despite a valiant 42-point effort from superstar Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers saw their 2012 NBA season come to a close with a 106-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as the Thunder won the series 4-1.

The Lakers were hoping to make amends for their 2011 playoff first-round exit—they were swept by the Dallas Mavericks—but despite winning the Pacific Division (41-25), the 2011-12 Lakers' had their shares of problems.

You name it. Between on-the-court issues, off-the-court issues, trade rumors, inconsistent play (team and individual), and coaching philosophy, the problems kept mounting for Los Angeles. And for the second straight season, the Lakers failed to make it to the conference finals.

Los Angeles was out-manned, out-classed and out-coached to a much younger Oklahoma City team. The Thunder exploited every one of the Lakers' weaknesses, and the end result was another early playoff exit.

Fans of the famous purple-and-gold are disappointed and want explanations. There are several fingers being pointed in the name of accountability. However, one thing is certain; come the start of next season, the Lakers will have a new look.

This team is in desperate need of a roster change. The Lakers are getting older while their Western Conference counterparts in Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets are winning with youth.

Here is a final postseason roster breakdown of the 2012 Los Angeles Lakers.

Enjoy.

Matt Barnes (Backup Small Forward)

Matt Barnes provided the Lakers with tough interior defense as a backup, but Barnes' 2012 season with Los Angeles was inconsistent.

He averaged 7.8 points a game during the regular season, but was a non-factor in the playoffs (3.5 PPG). In the Oklahoma City series, Barnes saw his minutes diminish to 11.5 and averaged only two points a game.

2012-13 Outlook: Barnes is 32 years old and has a few serviceable years left in front of him. Although he is not starter material, Barnes can provide quality minutes backing up whomever starts at small forward.

The Lakers would be smart in keeping Barnes for two reasons—interior defense and all-out hustle. I would expect Barnes to remain a Laker for one more season.

Troy Murphy (Backup Power Forward)

At one time in his career, Troy Murphy could knock down the three with the league's best big men. However, those days are long gone for the 32-year-old.

Although he did participate in 59 of the 66 regular season games for the Lakers this season, injuries have taken a toll on Murphy. He averaged 3.2 points a game.

2012-13 Outlook: Murphy days as a starter are over. Injuries and his age have relegated Murphy to backup status.

The Lakers' frontcourt is their strength and they have several bodies who can play at that position. Los Angeles would be smart tp cut ties with Murphy and either go younger at the position, or bring in more depth where they need it most—in the backcourt.

Christian Eyenga (Backup Small Forward)

Sharing a laugh with Andrew Bynum was about the only thing Christian Eyenga gave the Lakers.

Eyenga joined the Lakers in mid-March in a trade deal, and he played in only one regular season game (the regular season finale against the Sacramento Kings) where he scored eight points in 19 minutes. Eyenga played in only two playoff games, both against the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

2012-13 Outlook: The former first-round pick of the 2009 draft (Cleveland) has not had time to prove himself to the Lakers organization and will probably be waived before next season arrives.

Losing Eyenga will not hurt the Lakers at all. The Lakers needs an infusion of athleticism at every position and Eyenga does not fit the plans.

Andrew Goudelock (Backup Guard)

During a five-game stretch in late-January, rookie guard Andrew Goudelock gave the Lakers outside shooting that was lacking at the time.

He averaged almost 12 points a contest during the stretch, but played sporadically afterward. Goudelock played in only two playoff games, including Game 1 against the Thunder.

2012-13 Outlook: Goudelock showed enough promise early in the season to warrant a second try with the Lakers, and one of the areas where Los Angeles needs help is in the backcourt.

Goudelock is capable of knocking down the three-point shot. Even though he has not matured enough to be a starter, Goudelock can come off the bench and given quality minutes.

Financially, Goudelock is a keeper. He has done very little to guarantee a big contract, so the Lakers would be wise enough to keep him.

Darius Morris (Backup Guard)

Rookie Darius Morris was the Lakers' second round pick in last year's draft.

The backcourt performer saw very little action during the regular season, and his best effort came in the season finale against Sacramento. He played a season-high 21 minutes and scored nine points.

2012-13 Outlook: Morris is a hometown product and deserves another shot with the Lakers.

His size (6'5") could be an asset, and offensively, Morris is still developing. With timing he could improve to be a decent player, and Morris will get a chance over the summer to get another look. He could be brought back for salary cap reasons.

Josh McRoberts (Backup Power Forward)

Josh McRoberts started both the season's opener (Chicago) and the finale (Sacramento) for the Lakers.

The former Duke product displayed hustle and athleticism when he played but was mostly a non-factor for Los Angeles.

McRoberts is limited offensively, but on the defensive side, he competes.

2012-13 Outlook: McRoberts' status is unclear. His age (25 years old) is not a concern, but his productivity is. The Lakers could keep him or move him in a trade.

Losing McRoberts will not affect the Lakers and they have several other interior options.

Jordan Hill (Backup Power Forward)

If it's toughness you want, Jordan Hill is what you're looking for.

Hill was acquired from the Houston Rockets in mid-March and gave the Lakers a tough interior defender.

The 6'10" banger came off the bench against Oklahoma City on April 22 and delivered his best game. He played 35 minutes—scoring 14 points, grabbing 15 boards and blocking three shots—as Los Angeles defeated the Thunder 114-106 in overtime.

2012-13 Outlook: The Lakers will be ill-advised not to keep Jordan Hill.

He gives Los Angeles toughness up front as a rebounder and defender, and Hill has proven that he is a gamer. For that, he deserves a new contract.

Devin Ebanks (Backup Small Forward)

Backup forward Devin Ebanks' 2012 season contained both highs and lows.

Ebanks, a second round pick of Los Angeles (2010), started 12 of the 24 regular season games he played in and six of eight playoff games.

Ebanks gave the Lakers versatility on defense, as his length (6'10") and wingspan gave Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant fits at times during the Thunder series.

It was on the offensive side of the ball where Ebanks struggled, especially with a shaky outside shot. Because of his offensive woes, he was sent down to the Lakers' developmental squad throughout the season before coming back to the team in early-April.

2012-13 Outlook: Although Ebanks is a young player (22), it appears his game needs a lot of work. A team like Los Angeles needs offensive production out of its top eight players, and right now, Ebanks is struggling to find his way.

Maturity issues are a concern also. Ebanks was fined by the NBA for his on-the-court antics during the Lakers' 29-point loss to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the second round. The Lakers will have to seriously consider whether or not to bring Ebanks back for next season, but I would think that they will probably move him over the summer.

Steve Blake (Backup Point Guard)

Ninth-year guard Steve Blake is an enigma.

Blake at times is a solid player, but other times he disappears.

The Maryland product scored in double figures in five of the Lakers' first 10 games but only three times afterwards in his remaining 43 games.

Throughout the playoffs, Blake was a solid player off-the-bench (6.7 points per game in the playoffs). However, his troubles are on the defensive side of the ball. In the Oklahoma City series, Blake was torched by Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who averaged 25.6 points in the series.

2012-13 Outlook: Blake's age (32) is a concern.

When hot, Blake can be a serviceable player, but his shot is inconsistent. Defensively, Blake is a step slower and has trouble staying in front of quicker point guards.

Los Angeles has a serious choice to make with keeping Blake. If the Lakers decide to keep him, it will be because of his shooting. However, if Los Angeles decides to go to a younger, quicker team, Blake will be traded.

Metta World Peace (Starting Small Forward)

When Metta World Peace is focused, he is a good basketball player. However, when his focus is not there, he can be a handful.

World Peace began the 2012 season out-of-shape and was non-productive until late-March. By then he was in much-better playing shape and his offensive game was coming around.

However, World Peace delivered an elbow to the head of Oklahoma City's guard James Harden that cost him a seven-game suspension. He missed the Lakers first six games of their first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets, before returning with 15 points to help Los Angeles win Game 7.

During the Oklahoma City series, World Peace struggled with his shooting from the floor (37-percent), and defensively allowed Kevin Durant to average 26.8 points a game.

2012-13 Outlook: The Lakers are at a crossroads with Metta World Peace. Although he was instrumental in them winning the title in 2010, World Peace is not the player he was three seasons ago. Los Angeles needs to consider trading him.

His play is inconsistent and his mental focus is a big problem. Getting suspended during the Denver series almost cost the Lakers, but they were able to avoid losing in the first round for a second straight year. However, Los Angeles needs to bring in someone younger at small forward. Players like Durant and LeBron James are much younger than World Peace, and his ability to compete with them on a nightly basis is slipping.

Los Angeles can either draft someone to replace him, or better yet bring in a quality free agent.

Pau Gasol (Starting Power Forward)

Pau Gasol's days as a Los Angeles Laker appears to be over.

Although Gasol averaged a double-double (12.0 PPG, 10 RPG) in the Oklahoma City series, Gasol will probably be moved.

He averaged 17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds during the season but struggled in the playoffs, averaging 12.5 and 9.5, respectively.

At times, Gasol overwhelms the opposition with his size (7'0"), however, he continues to confound his teammates and Laker fans with his inconsistent play.

2012-13 Outlook: Los Angeles will more than likely move Gasol. He has two years remaining on a contract with $36-million due. Gasol was very instrumental in the Lakers winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, but it is time that Los Angeles looks in another direction.

Andrew Bynum (Starting Center)

Starting center Andrew Bynum is another player that plays good at times and disappears in crucial moments.

The 7-foot giant made his first All-Star game this season, averaging 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds (third-best in the NBA) and almost two blocks a contest.

While the former first round draft pick has improved his game, his mental approach is not always there. Throughout the season, Bynum was fined on numerous times for his behavior. Although he is still young (24), you would figure that he would have mature after seven seasons.

Bynum is one of the NBA's best up-and-coming centers, but his play is somewhat sporadic.

2012-13 Outlook: If Pau Gasol leaves, Bynum will probably be back for another season because the Lakers cannot afford to get rid of both. Their frontcourt was their strength outside of Kobe Bryant and losing both Bynum and Gasol will leave a huge hole on the frontline.

Bynum has upside. If he commits himself, he can dominate a game, especially on defense. However, his behavior needs work.

Ramon Sessions (Starting Point Guard)

Ramon Sessions is a nice player at point guard, but he is no starter.

Russel Westbrook lit up Los Angeles' point guards throughout the Oklahoma City series, averaging 25.6 points a game.

Sessions filled the starting role after coming over in a trade on March 15, and he averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 assists in 23 games with the Lakers in the regular season.

2012-13 Outlook: The Lakers needs to keep Sessions for another season, however, not as a starter.

Sessions will continue to improve as a player, but the Lakers needs a veteran starter at point guard. The Western Conference is loaded with star point guards like Westbrook, Steve Nash (Phoenix), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) and Tony Parker (San Antonio) and the Lakers need to bring in someone capable of matching those players.

Kobe Bryant (Starting Shooting Guard)

Anyone who thinks the Los Angeles Lakers are better off without Kobe Bryant needs their head examined.

Bryant scored 42 points in Game 5, however it was not enough to keep the Lakers alive.

The "Black Mamba" is 33 years old and has probably another three seasons left in front of him.

2012-13 Outlook: Bryant will be back for his 17th season. He is the face of Lakers and that will not change.

Mike Brown (Head Coach)

There are many fans who would love to see head coach Mike Brown leave, but Brown was not the problem for Los Angeles this season.

Brown led the Lakers to a regular season division title (41-25) and homecourt advantage as the third seed in the West.

The problem with Los Angeles this season was inconsistent play along with trade talks, maturity issues, game ejections and player squabbles.

2012-13 Outlook: For all that Brown had to put up with this season, he needs another chance to right the ship. The Lakers' front office deserves to give him another chance.

Getting rid of several inconsistent performers and building a new attitude next season will be an improvement. Hopefully, Brown can lead Los Angeles back to another title.