NBA Rumors: What Point Should the Los Angeles Lakers Prove?

The Lakers used to be the back-to-back champions, now they go into the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season in more than just second place.

Sure, they may have Kobe Bryant, but they need another leader on the floor to keep them rolling with the top picks.

Despite the classic clutch moments of playoff great Derek Fisher, the Lakers haven't had a real point guard since Gary Payton and that was only for one of the former All-Star's twilight years.

Before that, you would have to look quick to Nick Van Exel for a real quarterback of the backcourt.

Forget the Bynum-for-Howard rumors for a second. It's clear to see down the lane the Lakers need help and a star worthy of proving himself at the point.

The Lakers will never have another year were they have the luxury of choosing between Norm Nixon and Magic Johnson, but still—which player could nip this point problem in the bud with his tricks of the trade for the Lake Show?

Which guard rumor has it? Who has what it takes to lead the Kobe show?

Honourable Mention

Steve Blake

Last year, valuable veteran Steve Blake was brought in to back up and eventually succeed Derek Fisher. Like the Lakers, last year was problematic for Blake, but he can still D up with the best of them and hit the open three, whether via himself or an assist to a teammate.

Sounds like a P.G. to me.

Darius Morris

The Lakers rookie really looks to be one of the Lakers best first-year guys in recent years.

Sure he's no Rookie of the Year candidate, but with Phil Jackson and his rookie 'DNP-CD's,' retired Mike Brown may give this young buck the reigns to run with a new style of play suited to the young and athletic. It's his year.

Jamaal Tinsley

After one year off, the Lakers D-League organ donor, the Los Angeles Defenders, have returned and signed the former Indiana Pacers leader Jamaal Tinsley.

As this former standout looks to make his bid back into the NBA, this may just serve as his Los Angeles Lakers audition, but will there be a role for him in Hollywood?

Allen Iverson

Two Philly boys and revolutionary guards that changed the game in the same backcourt? WOW! That really would be a changing of the guards.

Kobe's been to the finals with Iverson before; the history is there. On paper there's nothing better, but when it comes to sharing the ball and egos, this heaven-sent dream teaming up may just be one hell of a nightmare.

It'd work well on a video game but that's a different reality. Still, maybe it's time to wake up and realise that after a humbling year off the NBA, A.I. is ready to sacrifice anything for a ring.

Now that's something you can't question. Maybe the Answer does lie here.

Baron Davis

It's clear that L.A. native Baron Davis would love to be a Laker. The rapper Game is one of his best friends and sits courtside on the regular.

Why, Davis is so Hollywood he even makes movies. But will the move be made?

Every Angelio wants to be a Laker and Baron even came as close as being a staple for the L.A. Clippers for some time. It's clear that Baron wants the floor under his feet to read "Lakers."

He'd bring hustle and experience as deep as his resume to this ballclub, plus his time in Golden State makes him familiar with fellow point guard Derek Fisher. Still, other elements of chemistry and conditioning could be a negative factor.

If Baron can get the physics and positivity right, this could be a science. If not, the Lakers may have to look for a better class. Still, in his best Charlotte days Baron could take everyone to school and his recent studies in Cleveland show he's ready for a comeback.

L.A. is the place where dreams happen. Will amazing happen this year in the NBA?

Chris Paul

OK so this may be a reach, but CP would have been exactly what the Lakers needed to see three last year. With Paul and Kobe in the same backcourt, forget about it.

If this happens, you can lock and keep Larry O'Brien in the Lakers trophy cabinet and give five gold rings to Chris, Kobe, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum before this season even begins on Christmas day.

Paul is just that good and could guard the Lakers future gold once Kobe is unlaced and raised to the rafters.

"The best since Magic" talk has all been said even before the Lakers rumors. Barring the second coming of the big three in New York, L.A. seems like the lasting location for this legend in the making's legacy.

Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony make a decent case and Paul could still sting everybody by staying with the New Orleans Hornets, but the real celebration could happen in Los Angeles.

Besides, not many get to say they've played and won with the best since Jordan.

Derek Fisher

What's so wrong with sticking with what you know? This is what chemistry, cohesiveness and championships are made of. Besides, we must be thankful for the Fish that saved L.A.

Without this president of the Players Association, we may not have even had an NBA season this year. We must believe in Derek Fisher for helping the league survive before the mid-term. He deserves our vote for the election of point guard.

Sure, on the court he's getting older and slower, but I don't see those biceps getting any less strong. Fisher's game is defined from the hustle to the hard work.

Call him a flop, but this Hollywood star has even more greatest hits from the clutch then playoff legend Robert Horry.

Dismiss him for a second if you dare, but even with 0.4 on the clock there's not many you'd want on the floor more than him. Point proven.