Los Angeles Lakers: 10 Bold Predictions For The 2010-2011 NBA Season
It's that time of year again, the leaves are beginning to fall and that signals the start of the NBA season.
The pursuit of the Larry O'Brien trophy starts in Los Angeles where the back-to-back champion Lakers look to capture a third straight title.
Will they do it?
Find out here, as we make 10 bold predictions for the 2010-2011 Los Angeles Lakers.
Shannon Brown Will Be Traded By The Deadline
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With the plethora of talent that the Los Angeles Lakers have in the back court, there may not be any room for Shannon Brown.
Brown, an extremely gifted leaper and high energy guy, will likely be the odd man out when you throw in names like Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and now Steve Blake.
Look for the Lakers to send Brown away for salary cap relief or another role player midway through the season.
Steve Blake Will Become The Lakers Starting Point Guard
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Steve Blake is an extremely underrated point guard in the NBA. He was overlooked in Portland, and even had some flashes of brilliance back in Denver.
There is no doubt that Blake could be a starter on a weaker team, but he is in full on ring-chasing mode.
Regardless, Derek Fisher isn't getting any younger and Blake's steady hand will at some point be called on to lead the lake show this season.
Andrew Bynum Will Play More Than 65 Games
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Andrew Bynum, who has hasn't played in more than 65 games in a season since 2006-2007, will bite the bullet and stand tall for the Lakers at center.
Bynum, who has had a nagging knee injury for some time now, will join forces with Pau Gasol for a good portion of the 2010-2011 season, resulting in one of the league's best front courts.
Ron Artest Will Shoot Better Than 40% From Beyond The Arc
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Ron Artest has always been a little bit of a loose cannon, but last year it really showed as Artest shot 35% from three-point land.
This season, after some experience in Phil Jackson's triangle offense, Artest will improve drastically and shoot better than 40% from three for the first time since 2004-2005 with the Indiana Pacers.
Kobe Will Pass Moses Malone For Sixth All Time In Points Scored
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Kobe Bryant (25,790) enters the season at 12th on the list of all time leading point scorers in NBA history.
After 82 games, he will most likely have passed Moses Malone (27,409) for 6th all time on the list.
If so, Bryant would trail Shaquille O'Neal for 5th on the list.
The Lakers Will Grab The No. 1 Seed Out West
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No surprise here, the Lakers will do what they have done the past three seasons, and that's snatch home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs by finishing with the West's best record.
Prediction: 58-24
Kobe Will Be Named The League's Most Valuable Player
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With LeBron James in South Beach, where his numbers are sure to diminish slightly, Kobe shall emerge as the most dominant player in the league in 2010-2011.
Kevin Durant isn't there yet, Carmelo's location is uncertain, and Dwyane Wade is no longer the man in Miami, so Bryant should win the award in a landslide.
The Lakers Will Lose at Home More Than Once in The Playoffs
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The Lakers have been money at home in the playoffs the past few seasons. Often times they would return with the series tied and win a pivotal game 5 or 7 to change the series.
This season, the mystique of the Staples Center wears off as the Lakers will fall on their home floor more than once when they lose in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers Will Lose in The Finals to The Miami Heat
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The Lakers' attempt at a dynasty will fall short in June when they lose to the South Beach trio and the Miami Heat in six games.
Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player on the planet, the problem is, number two and three play on the same team, oh yeah, and Chris Bosh isn't bad either.
Phil Jackson Will Retire Following The 2010-2011 Season
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Though his future with the team has been the talk of the NBA off-season the past few years, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson will finally retire after the 2010-2011 season.
He is getting older, and his health has slowly been deteriorating, so it comes as no surprise that next season will be his last with the Lakers.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
