Does Kobe Bryant Have the Legs to Run Mike Brown's New Offense for LA Lakers?

When the NBA lockout ends and the games finally begin, the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the league's most talented and experienced teams—and also one of the oldest.

Center Andrew Bynum is the only player in the Lakers' six-man rotation who has yet to reach 30, and an asterisk should probably be added beside his name when you consider the leg injuries that have plagued his career.

Even though Bynum is only 24, the average age of the Lakers' top six players is still 31, and just in case you don't remember, Phil Jackson's slow-developing, methodical triangle offense is now history.

New Lakers president Jim Buss decided to sever all ties to Jackson and his triangular past, and instead he chose to stake his future and the team's on the shoulders of Mike Brown.

The same Mike Brown who twice led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA's best regular season record behind two-time league MVP LeBron James, a stifling defense and an up-tempo motion offense.

Defense should really not be too much of a problem for the Lakers, because they have always excelled on that end of the court, but the switch in offensive philosophies could be a little challenging, especially for star guard Kobe Bryant.

Brown's dribble-drive motion offense places an emphasis on penetration from the perimeter, and Bryant just happens to be the team's best option when it comes to breaking down an opposing defense off the dribble.

In fact, right now Kobe pretty much looks like the Lakers' only option.

James proved how effective Brown's offensive scheme could be once a team's defense has been compromised at the point of attack, and his ability to distribute the ball once the perimeter was breached led to inflated stats from teammates.

Just ask 2009 NBA All-Star Mo Williams.

Easy scoring opportunities in the interior is a very intriguing prospect when you consider that the combination of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Bynum arguably gives the Lakers the most talented and efficient collection of post players in the NBA.

But in Brown's offense someone still has to get the league's largest frontcourt the ball in order for it to be effective, and Kobe is not the answer.

Don't get me wrong; I expect Brown's faster-paced tempo will invigorate Bryant's game, and if the lockout has really afforded him a chance to recover from his numerous physical ailments, we will certainly see a motivated and focused Bryant.

But age has eroded Bryant's quickness and his ability to penetrate the lane at will, and unfortunately Kobe doesn't have LeBron's strength and 6'8", 250-pound frame to fall back on.

On the surface Brown's scheme might appear a little sophisticated, but in reality his philosophy is shallow, because if dribble penetration fails the only other options are perimeter jump shots or force-feeding the post.

Are Lakers fans ready to turn over the reins of the offense to Bynum and Gasol?

I recently wrote an article that said if the Lakers choose to pursue an elite player in the 2012 NBA free agency period, that player should be a point guard, preferably Deron Williams.

The Lakers needed a playmaker before Phil Jackson retired, and Brown's offense cannot be successful without a player who can consistently create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates.

Bryant can create, but not enough for the Lakers to win a title with this roster in Brown's scheme.

Los Angeles still has enough talent to contend for an NBA title once the games resume, but unless Kobe gets some backcourt help, Mike Brown better brush up on his knowledge of the triangle.