LA Lakers (09-10) Team Outlook

The Defending World Champions will look to repeat last year’s success with a returning core of Bryant, Odom, Gasol and newly acquired Ron Artest. The biggest question marks surrounding the team this season are not if they can repeat but how are they going to keep Ron Artest in check for a full season? The controversial and borderline crazy Artest will look to provide lock down defense and compliment the team as a third or fourth scoring option.

The second question mark is will Andrew Bynum stay healthy enough to ever live up to the hype surrounding him since he was drafted? This season is very important to Bynum as the Lakers are again looking to repeat and will need his length and big body down low to disrupt opposing teams guards and post players.

The Lakers return 12 players from last season’s championship team and although the loss of Trevor Ariza will hurt Defensively, Artest should be able to shoulder the load enough to carry the Lakers to the conference finals at the minimum. Lamar Odom Resigned after looking like he might bolt to play with Miami. He will look to again provide instant offense off the bench and handle many of the intangibles in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense.

Sasha Vujacic will try to regain his 07-08 playoff form and along with Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar will provide veteran leadership when subbing in for Kobe and Fisher respectively.

Adam Morrison is a player to watch as he is finally healthy after tearing his ACL two seasons ago, he had a strong showing in the summer league and is also a Phil Jackson favorite who is able to shoot the ball very well and could fill a small role off the bench if Walton or Artest is injured. The Lakers are a top team out west none the less but will everything come together for them to repeat as champions? Guess we will have to ask San Antonio and Denver in April/May.

Starting Lineup:

PG – Derek Fisher – The definition of a classic veteran role player who can step up when needed and lurk in the shadows for the sake of the team. Derek is a very good outside shooter (37% 3pt) for his career and always brings tough hardnosed ability to the defensive end. Derek will again be a vocal leader along with Kobe, also looking to bring another title to LA.

SG – Kobe Bryant – Kobe is by far the best player in the league and he proved that again last season as he lead his Laker team with 61 points over the Knicks (MSG record) on February 2^nd which then geared him up for the Lakers run at the Championship which earned Bryant Finals MVP honors. Kobe is one of the most vocal players in the league and only expects the best out of his teammates and will go to great lengths to help them do that, especially by leading by example. Kobe is a known for his phenomenal offense but is also a great defender who is an all-defense team (1^st or 2^nd team) nine of the past ten seasons.

SF – Ron Artest – Controversial Forward who brings a toughness on Defense and is a slight upgrade over last season’s starter Trevor Ariza (Houston Rockets). Ron brings a bunch of off the court issues and must contain them if the Lakers are going to repeat as champions but Ron is looking for his first ring and has stated that “he wants to win a ring no matter what” , so that should be enough to keep him in check for the most part. He is a streaky shooter (42%FG) for his career, but is able to use his frame to back down smaller defenders in the post and score. Ron is also solid rebounder for his position (5.0 RPG) in his career but his defense is where he will be counted on the most if the Lakers are going to get to the Promised Land once again.

PF – Pau Gasol – The 7’0 Forward unique ability to use his lanky frame to score down low (18ppg last season) and good rounding skills (9.5 RPG) have made him one of the best big men in the league. Pau is a two time all star and occasionally plays center when the Lakers go small. He will look to again be a focal point behind Bryant on offense this season and appear in his third all star game come February. Pau also plays for the Spain national team and is rehabbing a finger injury suffered over the summer but should be back to full strength by training camp and ready to lead the Lakers back to the finals.

C – Andrew Bynum – Potential is high for Bynum who in the 07-08 season averaged a double double (13ppg, 10.2rpg) along with a career high in bpg (2.1) and last season set a career high in PPG (14.3) and looked to gain back the trust of his teammates as the playoffs went on. Bynum has been setback two seasons in a row when playing the Grizzlies as he (dislocated knee in 08, torn MCL in 09) was really coming into his own before the injuries and flashed glimpses of what is in store for the future. Questions remain if he has the work ethic to satisfy the potential every game, but this season will be a pivotal one for Bynum as he must exceed his potential to prove he is the future franchise center.

Bench:

F – Lamar Odom – A realistic 6^th man of the year candidate who brings all the things you would want from a player off the bench, A knack for scoring(15.1ppg for career), able to pass (4.2apg) and play defense(1.0spg) and rebound(8.8rpg). He was leaning toward signing with Miami in the offseason but ultimately decided that his game fit the triangle offense better and would like another ring. Odom will play substantial minutes again and will provide a veteran presence off the bench that will rival for 6^th man honors.

F – Luke Walton – Luke is the ultimate role player who looks to pass first and is a “Stat Filler” who looks to knock down shots when needed and play solid defense along with breaking the game open with his hustle and toughness. Luke is a solid shooter (44%FG, 33%3pt) for his career and usually takes what the defense gives him.

F – Adam Morrison – Morrison is entering his first season of being healthy (Torn ACL in 2007) since the pre season of 2007. The expectations in Charlotte were a lot to handle for the former 3^rd overall pick coming back from injury and with that he was then sent to the LA Lakers mid season and continued to learn and heal from injury. Played exceptionally well in Summer League play over the summer showing glimpses of why he was drafted so high (20.0ppg on 44% shooting). Adam also looks to be a favorite of Coach Phil Jackson and will look to put his shooting on display in the “Triangle Offense” this season.

F – Josh Powell – A journeyman forward who displays good athletic ability rebounding the ball and uses his hustle to play spot minutes but will see a decreased role again this season as there are just too many players ahead of him on the depth chart looking for minutes.

C – DJ Mbenga – DJ is a rugged center who does all of the dirty work down low and is limited on the offensive end but one who rebounds the ball well and can disrupt shots when needed also supplying you with 6 fouls in the playoffs.

G – Shannon Brown – A surprise after being traded to the Lakers from Charlotte, A solid defender who did not see much of a chance other than spot minutes until Farmar went down, then he stepped in and hustled his way to a spot in the rotation exhibiting superior defense and quickness that were passed over earlier in his career (Cleveland and Charlotte). A lackluster shooter previously, broke out last season on his way to career highs in FG% (52%) and 3pt %( 66%) although only playing limited minutes. At 23 yrs old is looked to be a defensive stopper and a change of pace guard this season and could win the backup PG job in training camp if Farmar falters.

G – Sasha Vujacic - Sasha took a step back last season in every category after setting career highs in ppg (8.8) mpg(17.6mpg) and FG and 3pt percentage (45%FG,443pt%) the season before. Sasha will look to bounce back this season and provide an offensive spark in minutes behind Bryant and Artest.

G – Jordan Farmar – Jordan has struggled to take the reins of the PG position even after being given ample chances. He is quick with the ball and can score easily (9.1ppg in 07-08) but does not offer much play making ability (1.9apg for his career) and often struggles on the defense end. Farmar was injured last season and that could have contributed to his poor play but Confidence and Shannon Brown had to play a major factor as well. Farmar will battle Brown in training camp for the backup PG position.

Projected Finish: 65-17 1st in Western Conference