Chris Paul to Lakers: Why Kobe Bryant Will Spoil LA's Dream Team

So, there's some decently big news coming out of New Orleans as Chris Paul was reportedly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers today in a deal that will send Pau Gasol to the Rockets and Lamar Odom to the Hornets.

Let the talks of the next Dream Team begin.

And why not? With Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul in the same backcourt, talks of championships and glory should probably start.

Well, that's a pretty darn good backcourt.

But how many times, in any sport, has a team stocked up on All-Stars? And how many times has it resulted in a championship?

I can think of the Boston Celtics, but other than that, something always seems to go wrong. The Lakers are certainly going to contend for a title, don't get me wrong, but let's wait a day or two before we crown them.

Things just won't go smoothly. 

If I had to pick something that would go wrong, I would probably point out the new lack of size up front. L.A. still has Andrew Bynum, but who is their power forward?

Luke Walton? 

Just kidding.

The lack of size will certainly be trouble.

If I had to pick something else, however, that might spoil this "Dream Team," I would point at Kobe Bryant.

How well does Bryant coexist when there's another star on his team?

He's done fine with guys like Gasol, Odom and Bynum, but those guys aren't on the popularity level of Chris Paul.

No, the last star Bryant has played with that is on Paul's level was Mr. Shaq Diesel himself, Shaquille O'Neal. 

Yes, I do remember them winning three championships together, but I also remember things between the two self-destructing pretty quickly.

There's no sign that will happen between Kobe and Paul, but who knows? Kobe may not like sharing his backcourt with someone who's a little more famous than Derek Fisher. 

Bryant ruining the Lakers' chances at a title might seem like a long shot. But you know what else is a long shot? 

Crowing the Lakers as champions in early December. So let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Lake Show still has obstacles.