Los Angeles Lakers: How to Right the Ship

As the 2011 NBA draft approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to add a few young guys to a roster riddled with veterans. The draft approach for the Lakers in the last few years has proven to be ineffective.

General manager Mitch Kupchak believed this Laker core could become a dynasty of some sorts, but old age and fatigue eventually caught up with this team.

Who could blame Kupchak? After the Lakers prevailed with another championship in 2010, this Laker team seemed unbeatable.

The summer of 2010 or should I say "The Decision," changed the landscape of the NBA for the next decade.

If you want to win in today's NBA (and I mean championships), it will require at least one superstar or maybe even two. Dallas proved this theory wrong by defying the odds and taking home the Larry O'Brien trophy with only one superstar and numerous role players.

While Dirk Nowitzki played at an "MVP" level, the Mavericks brought home the hardware with a complete team effort. 

The Heat will be back on this stage, but the same thing can't be said for the Lakers. While the East has surprisingly become more competitive in the last few years, it still has not leap-frogged the West. In four of the last five years, the Western Conference has brought home the hardware. 

The Lakers will not have an easy pathway back to the NBA finals, as they have a hungry OKC team and a newly minted champion in the Dallas Mavericks, watching their every move. The Lakers can't sit idly and wait for other teams to catch up, because that time has arrived.

This will be a huge year for Kupchak. While he proved to be resourceful in acquiring Pau Gasol a few years back, his decision making since then has been questionable at best (maybe with the exception of trading for Ariza, but he also let him go).

The Lakers must acquire talent and shore up any weaknesses that will prevent them from holding up the Larry O'Brien trophy once more. 

Backcourt Mate

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers react against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dall

Derek Fisher is a fantastic veteran and leader, but the time has come for the Lakers to upgrade the point guard position.

They can no longer rely on Fish to play heavy minutes and at some point, whether its through the draft or free agency, the Lakers must acquire a young guard to play alongside Kobe Bryant. 

A guard who can defend and efficiently shoot from behind the arc is ideal. Though the Lakers are abandoning the triangle, it seems that the role of the point guard will stay the same in the offense Mike Brown will install come training camp. That bodes well for the Lakers (and Fisher if LA decides to retain his services). 

The Lakers' best shot at acquiring a player with that type of skill-set will be in free agency, unless of course they move up into the first round. 

Three-Point Shooting

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 12: Forward Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a three-point shot against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

The Lakers have longed for a consistent three-point shooter since Sasha Vujacic was shipped out (when he was still considered the "Machine"). The offense at times suffered because of the Lakers' porous outside shooting. 

Steve Blake was brought in to fill that role and he was unsuccessful last season as many witnessed. If the Lakers want to pound the ball inside, Mitch must find shooters through the draft or via trade. 

Big-Man Depth

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the third quarter after making a basket and getting fouled against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on A

The Lakers have the best big-man rotation in the league but little reserve depth. If Andrew Bynum predictably goes down with another injury, the Lakers must have another big ready in order to give Gasol and Odom a breather. 

Joe Smith and Theo Ratliff proved to be ineffective last season and must be replaced. The Lakers can find numerous bigs who would be willing to sign for the veteran's minimum in order to have a shot at winning a ring. 

Hunger and Motivation

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey as he faces the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

The Lakers were somewhat fatigued as they fell to the Mavericks in a shocking sweep, but some felt this team lacked the drive to complete a three-peat in what turned out to be Phil Jackson's final year.

While blame shouldn't solely be placed on the Lakers' lack of drive, it factored in what turned out to be a shocking sweep at the hands of the eventual champions.  

At times, this Lakers squad has been its own worst enemy. The Lakers will be somewhat rejuvenated once the season starts (especially considering we may have a lockout) and hopefully hungry as ever.

After the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the 2008 NBA finals, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Lakers were not only able to win two straight championships, but had the opportunity to face the demons of their past (and win, of course). 

The Lakers should bounce back but with a new coach, a new system, and potential reshuffling of the roster, it will be interesting to see how the Lakers reclaim their throne.