LA Lakers: What Does Lockout Mean for Mike Brown's 1st Season in Charge?

New Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown couldn't have picked a worse time to get a job of a lifetime. The NBA lockout has put the first season of his regime in limbo. Already faced with the task of replacing a legend (Phil Jackson), he now seems to be at a certain disadvantage.

But does the lockout hold any silver linings?

Here is what you can expect from Mike Brown's first season at the helm of the Lakers.

New Offensive Scheme

Phil Jackson is gone, and he took the Triangle Offense with him. Instead, the Lakers will now run what Brown calls the "Strong Corner." Unfortunately, he can't share this new plan with his players. Coaches and players have not been able to contact each other since the lockout began at the start of July.

Should the season eventually get under way, it's difficult to imagine the Lakers' players being immediately comfortable with such a dramatic offensive change.

Relationship with the Players

Mike Brown had barely a month to interact with the Lakers before the lockout. This might be a problem, considering the fact the Kobe Bryant wanted Brian Shaw to be head coach. Or considering the fact that he has to reel in a guy named Metta World Peace.

Phil Jackson was a master at handling eccentric personalities. Word is still out on Brown, but it doesn't help that he's gotten so little time to know his players.

No Roster Influence

The lockout has prevented Mike Brown from seeing any upgrades to his club. No doubt he inherited a talented team, but after being mercilessly swept by the Dallas Mavericks, there is definitely room for improvement.

Even if the Lakers didn't chase a trade for a big name like Deron Williams or Dwight Howard, they could have at least added role players better than Theo Ratliff or Joe Smith.

Giving Aging Players Rest

This could be a blessing in disguise, should the season be seriously truncated. Regulars Kobe, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and uh, Metta World Peace, are all over 30. The wear and tear of an 82-game season can doom an older team come playoff time.

If the season resumes months from now, the shorter season would allow players to be rejuvenated come playoff time. Remember, an older Spurs team won the title in '99, the last lockout-shortened season.

Lower Expectations

The Los Angeles Lakers are built on a foundation of winning. That said, Mike Brown is not being asked to be a savior. He's not coaching a defending champion, but rather a team coming off a disapointing (by their standards) season.

Compound that with the difficulties of the lockout, and it's hard to pexpect championship or bust for the Lakers. We won't know how good they are until (or if) the season starts.