Breaking Down Each NBA Team's Blueprint for Beating the L.A. Lakers in 2012-13

While the Miami Heat will kick off the 2012-13 season as NBA champions, the L.A. Lakers look poised to take that honor away from them. 

As the favorites coming out of the West, the Lakers currently have a huge target on their back that every NBA team is setting their sights on.

Taking down the might Lakers will be no easy task though, as every team's approach to beating the Lake Show will be vastly different.

Ahead is a breakdown of every team's blueprint for beating the Lakers during the 2012-13 regular season. 

Atlanta Hawks: Get into Transition with Josh Smith

Key Matchup: Josh Smith vs. Pau Gasol 

Without Joe Johnson, the Hawks' offensive focus now shifts to their frontcourt duo of Josh Smith and Al Horford.

Against the Lakers though, the Hawks frontcourt hails in comparison. The Hawks need to utilize Smith's athleticism out in transition by letting him control the pace of the offense as often as he can.

The Hawks won't beat the Lakers in the half court, but they can beat them in transition because there is no way that Pau Gasol can keep up Smith at the power forward spot. That mismatch will be key for the Hawks against the Lakers.

Al Horford can hold his own against Dwight Howard, but he can only do that if Smith takes Gasol out of the paint, and that starts in transition. 

Boston Celtics: Let Rajon Rondo Control the Offensive Pace

Key Matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Steve Nash 

The Boston Celtics and L.A. Lakers rivalry will reach a whole new level this year when the two storied teams face off. 

D12 vs. Kevin Garnet, Paul Pierce vs. Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash vs. Rajon Rondo? Sign me up. The only matchup that the Celtics have the advantage is at the point guard position.

Nash may be a more intelligent and fundamentally sound player than Rondo, but he doesn't have the offensive skill set that Rondo has, and that's what the Celtics need to bank on.

Rondo will get all of his teammates involved when they need to be and he will create offense for them. That's the only way that the Celtics will beat the Lakers. These matchups will surely be exhilarating to watch though. 

Brooklyn Nets: Spread the Court

Key Matchup: Brook Lopez vs. Dwight Howard

The Brooklyn Nets have a talented starting five with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez. 

The only way the Nets will beat the Lakers is by keeping those starters on the court for as long as possible and by spreading the floor to create penetration space for Deron Williams.

The Nets' big men play best when they are crashing the boards and having offense created for them instead of creating it themselves, and that's what Williams can do when he has the ball in his hands.

The Lakers and Nets match up extremely well at every position, and they certainly have the advantage at the point. Spreading the floor and allowing Williams to create offense will be key to the Nets upsetting the Lakers. 

Charlotte Bobcats: Prayer, Prayer and More Prayer

Key Matchup: Kemba Walker vs. Steve Nash 

There are some NBA teams that are already looking towards the 2013 NBA Draft. The Charlotte Bobcats are one of those teams, and matching up well with the Lakers is certainly something they don't do.

Upsets always happen, but the Lakers are too talented of a team to let an underwhelming Bobcats beat them.

The Bobcats don't have an advantage over the Lakers anywhere on the court. That's why praying for a miracle is the only way the Bobcats can pull off an upset of the Lakers.

The Bobcats lost to the Lakers by 33 points last season. Expect more of the same during the 2012-13 season.

Chicago Bulls: Get Dwight Howard into Foul Trouble

Key Matchup: Joakim Noah vs. Dwight Howard 

Even without Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls have a decent shot at beating the Lakers. That's because they have one of Dwight Howard's kryptonites—Joakim Noah.

Noah is an absolutely frustrating player to go up against. He's obnoxious, overly physical and way too emotional, but that works well for the Bulls because he can get opponents, specifically Dwight Howard, in foul trouble.

Getting players in foul trouble is what Noah does best, and that's going to help the Bulls compete with a more talented Lakers team. Luol Deng's defense on Kobe Bryant will also be extremely important, but without Howard on the court, the Lakers will be an extremely different team.

If you can't beat the Lakers with Howard, then why not get him in foul trouble and subsequently off the court?

Cleveland Cavaliers: Shock and Awe from the Perimeter

Key Matchup: Kyrie Irving/Dion Waiters vs. Steve Nash/Kobe Bryant

The Cleveland Cavaliers have one specific advantage over the L.A. Lakers, and that is explosive offensive production from both the shooting guard and point guard position.

While Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters haven't played a single game together, they are being coined as one of the next best backcourt duos in the game, and that's certainly the hope of the Cavaliers franchise.

To beat the Lakers, the Cavs need those players to be truly special, creating offense for themselves and their teammates on a consistent basis. 

The Cavs don't match up well with the Lakers, but they do have the hope that their perimeter offense from Irving and Waiters will be potent enough to keep them competitive against teams like the Lakers. It's shock and awe from the perimeter for the Cavs. If that doesn't happen this season, they certainly won't be able to hang with the Lakers. 

Dallas Mavericks: Use Dirk Nowitzki in Isolation Against Pau Gasol

Key Matchup: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Kobe Bryant

Any time the Mavericks and the Lakers face off against each other, the focus is on Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.

The same will be true this year, even with Dwight Howard and Steve Nash entering the fray for the Lakers.

While the Mavericks look like a different team as well, without Jason Kidd and with Elton Brand and Chris Kaman, the Mavs will only go as far as Nowitzki can carry them.

The offensive battle between Kobe and Nowitzki will determine the winner here. The Mavericks need to do what they've always done, and that is put their trust in Nowitzki and his beautiful jumper. 

Denver Nuggets: Overpower the Lakers with Speed in Transition

Denver Nuggets: Ty Lawson vs. Lakers Defense 

We saw this happen during the 2012 NBA playoffs, and we'll see it again when the Nuggets take the court against the Lakers during the 2012-13 season.

With Ty Lawson running the point, Andre Iguodala out on the wing and JaVale McGee's athleticism in the paint, the Nuggets have a very dangerous team—especially, against a Lakers squad that will be slowed down by age.

With Iguodala putting Kobe on lockdown, the Nuggets might have enough firepower to overtake the Lakers this season. With the right balance of speed and transition, the Nuggets will be one of the Lakers' toughest competitors next season. 

Don't be shocked when the Nuggets take the Lakers down next season. It will be a lesson in just how dangerous speed can be. 

Detroit Pistons: Control the Pace of the Game

Key Matchup: Greg Monroe vs. Dwight Howard

The Detroit Pistons are an up-and-coming team, but this year won't be their year to compete with the big boys in the NBA, and that includes the Lakers.

The Pistons' only hope against the Lakers is to control the pace of the game from the tipoff. Doing that means beating the Lakers in the half court by controlling the shot clock and taking advantage of every offensive possession.

Andre Drummond's development will be key to hanging with the Lakers, as depth in the paint will be a huge piece of being competitive with the best of the best in the NBA.

They must be patient on offense and disciplined on defense. If the Pistons can do that, they have a shot at hanging with the Lakers.  

Golden State Warriors: Wear Down the Lakers with Transition Offense

Key Matchup: Klay Thompson/Stephen Curry vs. Kobe Bryant 

The Golden State Warriors need to use the Lakers' greatest strength against themselves, and that is their veteran experience.

With veteran experience comes age, and with age comes issues with lasting an entire 48 minutes against a team with youth and energy. That's the problem the Warriors hope to get the Lakers into when they face off.

With Stephen Curry holding down the point and Klay Thompson and David Lee out on the wing, the Warriors can overwhelm the Lakers. They can only do that though if they run in transition every chance they get.

What's the best way to beat a team that is more fundamentally sound and more experienced? Take them out of their comfort zone. Running in transition will be doing just that. If the Warriors can get the job done there, they can surprise the Lakers once or twice during the 2012-13 season. 

Houston Rockets: Hope for Some Serious Linsanity

Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lin vs. Steve Nash 

The Houston Rockets don't even know what kind of team they'll be when the 2012-13 season gets under way. They simply don't have an identity.

With a hodgepodge of talent, the Rockets don't really stand a chance against the Lakers. That is, unless some Linsanity finds it's way to Houston.

The Rockets just don't have enough experience to hang with the Lake Show, and they certainly don't have anywhere near enough chemistry.

Jeremy Lin is the Rockets' only hope when it comes to bringing the Lakers to their knees, but even that is a long shot because he doesn't have near enough talent around him that he needs to succeed and carry the Rockets past the Lakers. 

Indiana Pacers: Feed Roy Hibbert to Suffocate Lakers Defense

Key Matchup: Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard

The Indiana Pacers are one of those teams that are extremely close to being an elite team in the NBA.

They just need to understand how to utilize the talent the have. That starts by feeding their offense through Roy Hibbert for the purpose of collapsing their opponent's defense.

Guys like George Hill, Danny Granger and even Paul George are solid players, but they are at their best when their opponent's defensive focus is on bringing help-side defense in the paint against Hibbert. 

Dwight Howard will abuse Hibbert if the Pacers don't create a solidified offensive game plan for him. If they do that though, the Pacers can certainly compete at a high level against a Lakers team that looks better on paper. 

L.A. Clippers: Strong Arm the Lakers from the Tip

Key Matchup: CP3/Blake Griffin vs. Steve Nash/Dwight Howard

The Lakers vs. the Clippers is more than your typical matchup. Along with Western Conference implications, there's also a lot of pride at stake when it comes to being L.A.'s premier team.

That pride at stake means both teams will be playing with an increased level of intensity. That's why the Clippers absolutely must impose their will against the Lakers from the tip if they want to win.

With Lamar Odom making his return to L.A. and Chris Paul facing off against Steve Nash, these matchups will be memorable and down to the wire. 

These matchups will be close, physical and they certainly won't lack intensity. The team that brings it the hardest from the tipoff will win; there's just no way around it. With equally talented rosters, the amount of effort will be the difference maker. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Penetrate the Paint with Mike Conley Jr.

Key Matchup: Mike Conley vs. Lakers Perimeter Defense 

Mike Conley is one of the hidden gems of the NBA, and he's at the foundation of the Grizzlies' success over the past few seasons.

What makes Conley such a special player is that he protects the ball extremely well while also finding a way to slash into the paint, collapse defenses and keep his teammates involved by creating high-percentage shots.

With Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, you'd think they would be key to toppling the Lakers. However, if Conley doesn't get going, the Lakers defense will simply key on those players and shut them down.

Without O.J. Mayo, the Grizzlies have a harder road ahead of them when it comes to hanging with the Lakers. Their hope is that Josh Selby will develop into a better replacement for Mayo, but until that happens, Conley's offensive creativity must be the focal point for the Grizzlies when they face the Lakers. 

Miami Heat: Use Chris Bosh to Take Dwight Howard Away from the Basket

Key Matchups: Chris Bosh vs. Dwight Howard 

The Miami Heat against the L.A. Lakers is the matchup that every NBA fan is dying to see. Not only does it feature LeBron vs. Kobe, it now features the odd matchup of Bosh vs. Howard.

Bosh isn't the most physical player in the NBA, but he holds the key to taking down the Lakers for the Heat. He can do that by using his perimeter offense to take Howard away from the basket.

Last year, without Bosh, the Lakers took down the mighty Heat, and that's because they were able to dominate the painted area. If Bosh tries to bang with Howard in the paint, the same will happen because Howard is a true center.

If the Heat want to beat the Lakers and have a chance at repeating as NBA champions, Bosh must play away from the basket on offense. Taking Howard away from the basket will pay dividends for Wade and LeBron slashing into the paint. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Consistently Spread the Wealth

Key Matchups: Monta Ellis/Brandon Jennings vs. Steve Nash/Kobe Bryant 

When you stop and actually look at the talent on the Bucks roster, you realize that they actually have an impressive group of players.

With Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Ersan Ilyasova, Drew Gooden and Samuel Dalembert, there's no reason why the Bucks can't give the Lakers a run for their money a time or two during the regular season.

The only way they can accomplish that is by keeping everyone on the court involved in the offense, which could be difficult for Ellis and Jennings to do. 

Jennings and Ellis are great in isolation, but they won't beat the Lakers in isolation. If the Bucks play like a team, there's no limit to the success they can achieve, and that includes beating a very talented Lakers team at their own game. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Spread the Floor for Brandon Roy with Kevin Love

Key Matchup: Kevin Love vs. Pau Gasol 

Kevin Love doesn't need to play more like a true big man for the Minnesota Timberwolves to beat the Lakers. They need him to be the player that he is, spreading the floor with his deadly jumper.

Taking Gasol and Howard away from the basket is key to beating the Lakers, and the T'Wolves have the ability to do just that. Love can abuse Gasol out on the perimeter and Nikola Pekovic can certainly bang with Howard in the paint.

That leads us to the addition of Brandon Roy. If Love can spread the floor and Pekovic can hang with Howard, the Timberwolves will have the court open for Roy to do what he does best, which is knocking down open shots on the perimeter.

The Timberwolves will certainly give the Lakers trouble because they have a nice mixture of athleticism and fundamental talent on their roster. Spreading the floor will make or break the T'Wolves against the Lakers. 

New Orleans Hornets: Put Their Faith in Eric Gordon

Key Matchup: Eric Gordon vs. Kobe Bryant 

The Hornets are going to struggle next season, there's no doubt about that. Their only hope is that Eric Gordon is the true franchise player that they believe he can be.

Gordon's production and development is going to be key for the Hornets and the maturation of their young rookies, Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers have too much talent for the Hornets to be competitive with them. That is unless Gordon can be the true superstar that his max contract tells us he should be.

With that being said, Gordon can't do it alone, and that's where Ryan Anderson comes in. Anderson needs to be the offensively explosive player he was in Orlando for the Hornets to have a chance to beat the Lakers, but even that won't happen unless Gordon steals the show. 

New York Knicks: Use Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby to Frustrate D12

Key Matchup: Tyson Chandler vs. Dwight Howard 

With sizable frontcourt depth, including Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby and even Kurt Thomas, the Knicks can certainly beat the Lakers.

With Chandler and Camby sharing time at the center position, the Knicks' focus absolutely must be on frustrating Howard whenever he touches the ball.

Jason Kidd will be able to hold his own against Steve Nash, and Kobe and 'Melo's competitive natures will keep both superstars in check throughout the game. The Knicks' main advantage is clearly in the paint, where Chandler's defense on Howard will be key.

The Knicks will hold their own against the Lakers, but the only way they will beat them is if their frontcourt depth can frustrate Howard every time he thinks about touching the ball. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Set a Physical Tone Early

Key Matchup: Serge Ibaka vs. Dwight Howard 

The Thunder took the Lakers down last year in the playoffs because they came out firing on all cylinders and they also set a physical tone early.

That's exactly what the Thunder must do if they want to beat a revamped Lakers team this season. Serge Ibaka will have a more difficult time with Howard's physicality than he did with Bynum last year, and that's why setting a physical tone will be key.

Even outside of the paint, the Thunder need to overpower the Lakers. That includes Westbrook taking it to Nash and Durant taking it to Kobe, or whoever the Lakers throw at them.

Even though the Thunder don't have much depth, they can beat the Lakers if they show them that they are a strong and physical team. 

Orlando Magic: Fuel Their Game with Revenge

Key Matchup: Entire Magic Team vs. Dwight Howard

Orlando Magic are a shell of their former selves, and they have Dwight Howard and his endless drama to thank for that.

There's not much the Magic can do to hang with the Lakers, aside from playing angry and hoping that their hunger for revenge can lead them to victory. 

The Magic just won't have any answers for Howard, Kobe or even Nash at the point. The Lakers' pick-and-roll will be near impossible to stop and Nelson will have his hands full trying to keep up with the intelligent play of Nash.

It will take close to a miracle for the Magic to beat the Lakers, and it's going to be like that until the Magic have the chance to acquire some legitimate franchise talent. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Showcase Bynum and Prove He's NBA's Top Center

Key Matchup: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard

The battle between Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum reaches a whole new level now that both players were "traded for each other" this past offseason.

This matchup will not only go a long way in proving who truly is the best center in the NBA, it will also be at the foundation of which player's team comes out on top.

Without Andre Iguodala, the 76ers need Bynum to step up and be a leader on their team. If he can do that, they can hang with the Lakers. If Bynum resorts to his immature ways though, the 76ers will be in for rough matchup when they face the Lakers.

The stage will be set for two of the game's best centers to showcase their true talent, and whoever wins that battle will help their team come out victorious. Owning the paint on both sides of the ball is key for the 76ers next season, especially when they are playing the Lake Show. 

Phoenix Suns: Let Goran Dragic Do His Best Steve Nash Impression

Key Matchup: Goran Dragic vs. Steve Nash 

Goran Dragic and Steve Nash were teammates in Phoenix a few seasons ago, and that's why Dragic is considered to be an elite-level point guard in the NBA.

Dragic will have to do his best Nash impersonation if he's going to help the Suns knock out the mighty Lakers though. That's because the Suns need someone to step up and be a leader on the court.

With Marcin Gortat and Luis Scola, the Suns will hold their own in the paint. If Dragic can penetrate into the paint and create high-percentage shots for his teammates, like Nash did in Phoenix, the Suns can be a threat to the Lakers.

This season, the Suns will be as good as Dragic is, and if history tells us anything, it's that Dragic is going to be one efficient and dangerous point guard. Don't be shocked if Dragic leads the Suns into the playoffs, and into a competitive first-round series with the Lakers. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Expose Nash with Damian Lillard's Offensive Talents

Key Matchup: Damian Lillard vs. Steve Nash

There aren't many facets of Steve Nash's fundamentally sound game that can be exposed, but there's no way around the fact that he's not as athletic or quick as he once was. That's what the Trail Blazers must take advantage of.

With Damian Lillard and his explosive athleticism at the point, the Blazers must put their faith in him to expose Nash's lack of defensive agility.

While there are better pure facilitators in the game, Lillard can shoot lights out at the point, and that's something the Lakers, and Nash, will have a difficult time stopping.

If Lillard can manage to produce at an efficient level, while also keeping guys like LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum involved in the offense, the Blazers can easily compete with a team like the Lakers. 

Sacramento Kings: Set an Athletic and Fast Pace Early and Don't Let off the Gas

Key Matchups: Tyreke Evans vs. Kobe Bryant 

The Kings are quite an enigma. On paper, they have a lot of youth, athleticism and talent. But on the court, they lack the chemistry it takes to be a next-level team in the NBA. 

The Kings, however, do have the youth and athleticism they need to outwork the Lakers, but they have to be the ones to set the tone early. 

The Lakers will look to strong-arm a young Kings team. However, if the Kings can get out in transition and run the floor, they'll be able to take the Lakers out of their comfort zone. That is key to taking down the Lake Show.

If Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans can work together to be leaders on the floor, the Kings stand a chance at beating the Lakers. If they don't come out and set the pace early though, the Lakers, with their veteran talent, will run them into the ground. 

San Antonio Spurs: Trust Gregg Popovich's Fundamental Coaching

Key Matchup: Tim Duncan vs. Dwight Howard

To be competitive with the Lakers, all the Spurs need to do is do what they've always done, and that is trust the coaching of their maestro, Gregg Popovich.

You'd be hard pressed to find a better head coach in the NBA, and Popovich knows exactly how to mold the talents of his superstars together to create a competitive, if not dominant, team.

Tim Duncan against Dwight Howard will be the key matchup here, as the battle between Duncan's fundamentals and Howard's athleticism will be exciting to watch.

The Spurs and Lakers could find themselves in a semifinals or finals playoff matchup, and it will come down to Popovich's coaching against the Lakers' chemistry on the court. I'll take Popovich's coaching 10 times out of 10. 

Toronto Raptors: Trust Their Athleticism

Key Matchup: DeMar DeRozan vs. Kobe Bryant 

The Raptors, with a solid offseason, have quietly put together a surprisingly talented team that might turn some heads this season.

The way they can do that is by trusting the athleticism on the court and not trying to overcoach or do too much on the floor.

With DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Terrence Ross, the Raptors have an extremely athletic backcourt. That's what they must use to their advantage if they want to overcome a Lakers team that is unquestionably more talented.

If Lowry can develop some chemistry with his new teammates and Landry Fields can be the kind of player he's being payed to be, the Raptors can hang with the Lakers. 

Utah Jazz: Dominate the Frontcourt with Favors, Jefferson and Millsap

Key Matchup: Derrick Favors vs. Pau Gasol 

Frontcourt depth is a major strength of the Utah Jazz.

With Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, there's no reason why the Jazz can't dominate the paint, even against Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. 

While it might be shocking to think about, the Jazz might pose one of the biggest threats to the Lakers out West, and that's solely because of the talent and efficient production they have in the paint.

With Mo Williams running the point, the Jazz stand a legitimate chance of being one of the NBA's better teams. That means they'll be able to hang with the Lake Show. If Tyrone Corbin can figure out how to get Favors more minutes without messing up their already productive rotation, the Jazz can make some noise in a stacked Western Conference. 

Washington Wizards: Start in the Paint with Nene & Finish on Perimeter with Wall

Key Matchups: John Wall vs. Steve Nash 

We've already talked about the shock-and-awe approach that the Cavaliers need to take to beat the Lakers. Now, it's time for the Nene-and-Wall approach that the Wizards need to do the same.

The Wizards have to work Nene Hilario into the offense early to set a solid tone in the paint. Once Nene is established, it will be time for the Wizards to get the ball back into John Wall's hands.

With the Lakers defense closing in on Nene and even Emeka Okafor, the floor will open up for Wall, which will help him take over the game.

Another key factor to a Lakers vs. Wizards matchup is just how efficient Bradley Beal will be out on the wing. Wall's play will go a long way in dictating that, and it will also be a difference maker in the Wizards coming out victorious against the Lake Show.