A Storybook Beginning: LA Lakers Fast Start

Once upon a time, there was a team, a team called the Los Angeles Lakers. Seven games into the season, the Lakers have been perfect. Ranked first in the league in both offense AND defense, the team is finally built for championships and dare I say, dynasty status.

A microcosm of the Lakers as a team is their leader, Kobe Bryant, who for years has been the best player for being beyond amazing on offense and stellar on defense. Having to bear the offensive load since Shaq left, his defense has slipped, but since the Olympics, he has had a renewed intensity on defense which has trickled down to the rest of his teammates. 

The start of this season is definitely a combination of how last season ended, Kobe's Olympic experience, and a new defensive game plan. Offense has never been a big problem for the Lakers since last year, and their execution got exponentially better with the addition of Pau.

But as the cliche goes, Offense sells tickets, Defense wins Championships. Who better to learn championship caliber defense than from the current NBA Champs? With Kobe's Olympic defensive attitude, with the coaches copying the defensive strategies of the Celtics, and a chip on their shoulders, the Lakers are sitting at 7-0, not really having been challenged by anyone they've faced so far. 

The biggest difference from this seasons play and last season is the Lakers defense. Although they're only seven games into the season, being number one means that they've taken pride in their defense.

A large part of their success is no secret- Andrew Bynum. With him in their lineup, they have two legitimate seven-footers who are capable of protecting the basket. I include Pau in this because, although Bynum is the main protector, Bynum is often included in screen-rolls and unlike Shaq, is willing to step out, thus leaving Pau to protect.

With this kind of protection down low, guards are able to play up and aggressive, and defenders are able to gamble more in passing lanes because they know that they have two reliable defenders behind them. Its almost like having two KGs for you defense (ok, that's a little bit of an exaggeration). That combined with schemes and intensity make for the number one defense in the league.

A large part of the Lakers success is their bench play. Their bench is not only the most talented in the league, but their style of play gives them a dynamic identity. The first team is built to execute and grind out defenses, while the second team is a fun, run-and-gun style that starts their offense by gambling on defense.

The most talented player on the second team is without a doubt Lamar Odom, but the heart of the second team is both Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza. Odom had reservations about coming off the bench, but in reality, the second team's style not only fits his game more, but also he can be more aggressive with his game.

A large criticism about his game has been that he disappears during critical moments. With the second team's energy, this season, Lamar seems to be more energized and more into the game than he's ever been in his career. Odom, along with Farmar, Ariza, and Sasha, make one of the best benches in NBA history. They will cement their legacy as a second team if they can remain consistent throughout the season. 

A storybook beginning. If the Lakers can remain healthy and consistent (98-0? I can dream right?), I think we all know that they'll have a storybook ending and ride into the sunset kissing the girl of their dreams—the O'brien Trophy.