L.A. Lakers – NBA Season Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the shortened 2011-12 season as the favorites for what feels like the fifth straight year. In this writer’s opinion, they may not even be the best team in Los Angeles after recent developments.
Odds to win:
Title: 5/1
Conference : 2/1
Division : 2/9
This is in large part the same Lakers team from a year ago, but they are missing one major piece now that should not be overlooked. Glue guy Lamar Odom, who was shipped off to Dallas in recent days after he felt disrespected in the Chris Paul talks. That is a major blow to LA..
Nevertheless, they still have their version of the “Big Three”, in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum. But when you look at the roster past that trio, you start to wonder if this team has what it takes to go all the way.
Yes, they do still have Ron Artest, and they did pickup a couple of old Indiana Pacer players that are a definite threat from the outside in Troy Murphy and Josh McRoberts. But it’s the last of their notable additions that is one of the best outside shooters to play this game — Jason Kapono. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
While all of those pieces are great and all, the one thing the Lakers lacked last season has still yet to be addressed. They still do not have any quickness at the point guard position with Derek Fisher and Steve Blake running the show. No disrespect to either of them, but when you compare them to the rest of the Pacific Division — Steve Nash, Tyreke Evans, Chris Paul, and Stephen Curry–it leaves a lot to be desired from that particular spot.
Los Angeles does have one man that has the potential to step up and give them some quickness from the lead guard role. The former Michigan Wolverine Darius Morris has a chance to make his mark in the pros if he can continue to build on the improvements he has shown thus far.
One other thing worth talking about would have to be the coaching change this team will be going through this season. As most people know, the great Phil Jackson has retired. In a move that not everyone agreed with, former Cavs’ coach Mike Brown was given the job to replace him. It will be interesting to see how he runs this team.
While the pieces are there for this squad, they are definitely going to have to get another lead guard to complete this team that has some quickness. Maybe Morris can be that guy. If not, The Lakers are destined for another early exit in the playoffs this coming season.
