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How The Lakers Measure Up

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  • How The Lakers Measure Up

    I found this great article on Hoopsworld on the Los Angeles Lakers breaking down their roster for this upcoming season. Enjoy the read!


    How The Lakers Measure Up
    By: Eric Pincus


    In the summer of 2002, with the Los Angeles Lakers coming off three straight titles, General Manager Mitch Kupchak did very little to bolster the roster.

    The core of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox and Robert Horry remained the same but Kupchak's only major addition to the aging lineup was Kareem Rush (acquired in the draft from the Toronto Raptors).

    The team's Mid-Level Exception went to Devean George, a returning player whose rookie option Kupchak had regrettably passed on. Once the Lakers had gotten through the New Jersey Nets for their third title in three years, it was clear that George represented what little athleticism the team had left (outside of Bryant).

    Instead of adding to the core with available free agents at the time like Chauncey Billups, Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall or Matt Harpring, the Lakers just got older and slower.

    None of Kupchak's young prospects were able to develop into steady, high-impact players.

    A year later, one last attempt was made to keep L.A.'s run alive when the team added Karl Malone and Gary Payton (after letting Robert Horry go). Ultimately Malone would get hurt and Billups, who should have been L.A.'s Mid-Level target in 2002, would go on to lead the Pistons over the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.

    Kupchak has shown that he has learned from his early mistakes as GM. Instead of letting this two-time championship team age without reinforcements, he's done a fine job restocking for what could be Coach Phil Jackson's last season.

    Acquiring both Steve Blake and Matt Barnes with just the team's Mid-Level Exception to offer may prove to be a coup for the reigning champs.

    The Lakers appear to be well positioned for another run at the title, arguably better on paper than they were the past few seasons.


    Point Guard - Derek Fisher

    Fisher may not belong among the league's top guards at his position. Statistically throughout the regular season it can be argued he's among the bottom few starters in the league.

    Nonetheless, Kupchak made re-signing Derek his top off-season priority.

    What Fisher doesn't put up in numbers, he makes up for in leadership. He understands the triangle offense, the team's defensive concept and is a big shot-maker.

    While the quick, speedy guards in the Western Conference like Aaron Brooks, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Steve Nash have an advantage against Derek, the Lakers as a team have an advantage over the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns.

    Fisher's veteran savvy may not be the top two or three reasons the Lakers have won back-to-back titles, but it's no coincidence that his fellow Lakers refer to Derek as the heart of the team.

    Be it Fisher's late-game heroics (most notably in the postseason - Orlando Magic, NBA Finals Game 4 of 2009 or Boston Celtics, NBA Finals Game 3 this past June) or his impassioned speeches to help push his squad mentally over the hump - Derek stands on his own even at nearly 36 years old.

    It's not a surprise what when the Miami HEAT began putting together a super-team for the coming year that it was Fisher the team targeted to run point.

    Against bigger, stronger point guards like Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups, Andre Miller and Jason Kidd - Fisher is a more capable defender. It's the quicksters that will give the Lakers issues this coming season.

    Where the Lakers have improved at the position is at backup point guard with Steve Blake coming in as a free agent to replace Jordan Farmar.

    While Jordan had his moments, his best being Game 3 in Houston against the Rockets in 2009 when starting for the suspended Fisher, ultimately Farmar wasn't happy with his role.

    Jordan was at his best while looking for his shot first, an issue when playing alongside players like Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Farmar drifted defensively and was rarely the consistent force the team hoped he'd become.

    In his place, the Lakers picked up a true pass-first point guard in Blake who is solid fundamentally across the board. He won't have the same explosiveness as Farmar. Jordan is the better penetrator, but the Lakers want a guard who will run the system, execute defensively and be happy in his role.

    That wasn't Farmar.

    Whether Jordan flourishes or not in New Jersey as the backup to Devin Harris, the Lakers have turned a weakness into a strength.

    Other than young upstarts like Darren Collison and Ty Lawson, Blake is arguably the best backup point guard in the league. He can fill in as a starter when needed but expect Steve to play heavy minutes behind Fisher this coming season.

    It will still probably take a team concept for the Lakers to deal with some of the fastest players in the league at the point, but they're better armed with Blake than Farmar.

    Jordan may have greater speed but he just didn't use it well defensively.


    Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant

    Bryant remains the top shooting guard in the league. The closest would probably be Dwyane Wade in Miami but there's no two guard close in the West.

    The next best in the conference would probably be Brandon Roy with a number of L.A.'s competitors trying to load up on the defensive side at the two to deal with Bryant.

    Kobe recently had his third arthroscopic surgery on his right knee (previously in 2003 and 2006). He's expected to be healthy for training camp (September 25th).

    It's still not clear how Bryant will deal with the index finger on his shooting hand which suffered an avulsion fracture midseason. While it eventually healed, Kobe has had to deal with a difficult case of arthritis in the joint.

    How long can Bryant (nearly 32) continue to play at the top of his game?

    Kupchak has done a fine job providing Kobe with support so that he doesn't have to over-extend himself. Perhaps the best example of that was the clincher in Game 7 when Bryant struggled with his shot yet the Lakers were able to come back and survive the Celtics through the strength of teamwork.

    Behind Bryant, the Lakers have Sasha Vujacic, an inconsistent shooter who earned his current deal by playing well in a contract year. Once again, it's the last season on Sasha's contract. Perhaps L.A. will get more out of him this coming season.

    Vujacic is one of the team's better defenders fighting through screens. He's also the squad's best free throw shooter - his biggest pair coming in the closing seconds of Game 7.

    Sasha is also a foul magnet.

    Kupchak is still hoping to bring back Shannon Brown who was Bryant's primary backup. While Shannon didn't have a great second season with the Lakers, he does bring an unmatched level of athleticism to a team that is very skilled and long - but not necessarily stocked with young, high flyers.

    If the right price can be reached, the Lakers will have too many guards for available minutes but greater depth than they've had the past three seasons (each of which extended to the NBA Finals).

    Matt Barnes may also be an option at the two.


    Small Forward - Ron Artest

    Artest evolved throughout the season as he learned the triangle offense and got into shape. By the end of the NBA Finals, Ron emerged a hero with a big three-pointer with about a minute left. In Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns he hit the winner at the buzzer on a put-back (off a Bryant air ball).

    Nonetheless, defenses generally left Artest alone as the designated shooter - and Ron lofted his fair share of bricks.

    The Lakers hope he continues to improve over time in the offense but where he was most valuable was on the defensive side of the ball.

    L.A. battled through a difficult postseason and Artest's work on Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce was a big reason why the Lakers came out on top.

    Artest isn't as mobile as he used to be getting through screens. He lost weight during the season which helped but Ron's strength is in the more physical brand of one-on-one defense.

    The West boasts a number of high level small forwards like Carmelo Anthony, Rudy Gay and the emerging Durant.

    Kupchak added Barnes to back up Artest. Matt is more agile than Ron but both are feisty defenders.

    The Lakers also have Luke Walton but a back injury has put the upcoming season in jeopardy.

    Both Lamar Odom and Bryant are capable at the position. In fact small forward may be Kobe's best position offensively. If Artest and/or Barnes can acclimate to the offense and develop guard skills within the triangle, Bryant may play more in the front court even when listed at two-guard.

    Rookie Devin Ebanks (43rd pick) is expected to sign with the team. Ebanks has great potential defensively at a lanky 6'9". He needs to work on his outside shot but based on his early showing in Las Vegas in summer league, he may prove to be a nice find in the second round.


    Power Forward - Pau Gasol

    Gasol is among the best at his position - some would argue the best.

    In the West, stand-outs include Dirk Nowitzki, Al Jefferson (now with the Utah Jazz), LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan and David West. Gone from the conference are Carlos Boozer and Amar'e Stoudemire.

    Pau is coming off his first full season with true double-digit rebounds at 11.3 a game. He had hit 9.8 and 9.6 boards a game earlier in his career.

    In addition to his 18.3 points a game on 53.6% shooting, Gasol dished 3.4 assists and blocked 1.7 shots a game.

    With Bryant, the Lakers have the league's most potent all-around 1-2 combo - although the HEAT with their pairing of LeBron James and Wade (along with Chris Bosh) would like to challenge that this year.

    The Lakers can also boast Lamar Odom off the bench. Last year Lamar averaged 9.8 boards a night (to go with his 10.8 points).

    Rebounding is one of L.A.'s greatest strengths but Lamar is also a strong play-maker, averaging 3.3 assists a night.

    Kupchak also nabbed Derrick Caracter near the end of the second round (58th) but the forward looked like a top 10 prospect in Vegas. The Lakers are also expecting to sign him up for the coming season (although he may have to prove himself through training camp).

    Caracter has crafty skills in the low post and after dealing with weight problems throughout his college career, looks to be in NBA shape. It remains to be seen how his Vegas performance translates to the pros, but he's already ahead of the curve given where he was drafted.


    Center - Andrew Bynum

    The question with Andrew is health. Three straight years - three straight knee injuries. The severity and subsequent recovery of incident has decreased each time, with Bynum missing the 2008 NBA Finals, struggling through 2009 and contributing through the most recent run.

    The Lakers have yet to have Bynum at full strength in June, which suggests the team may still have upside if Drew can quickly recover from surgery scheduled July 28th (torn meniscus) and stay sound.

    Very few true centers remain in the league, let-alone the West. The biggest return will be that of Yao Ming, who is still working his way back from a foot injury.

    Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers may be the next best five on the list, coming off of his first All-Star appearance.

    Other centers of interest in the West include Robin Lopez, Samuel Dalembert, DeMarcus Cousins, Brendan Haywood, Nene and Mehmet Okur.

    For the Lakers, Bynum averaged 15.0 points a game with 8.3 boards and 1.4 blocks. Jackson and his coaching staff want Andrew to improve defensively, especially defending the rim. Bynum blocked 2.1 a game before his first knee injury while dropping to 1.8 and then 1.4 the next two seasons.

    Drew earned his teammates respect playing through the meniscus injury. The key will be a full year with a healthy knee.

    Gasol will probably still function as Bynum's primary backup at center although Kupchak signed veteran Theo Ratliff to give the Lakers experience at the position.

    Ratliff has some years on him (37 years old) but last year he played in 28 games for the Charlotte Bobcats, averaging 22.3 minutes a game with 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots.


    Bench - Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Sasha Vujacic, Theo Ratliff and Luke Walton

    The Lakers have 11 under contract with negotiations ongoing with Brown, Ebanks and Caracter.

    Odom isn't a consistent scorer but he was the 11th-best rebounder in the league, behind 10 starters.

    Blake is steadier than Farmar, albeit less athletic. Barnes fills a position behind Artest that was really handled by committee last season. Vujacic hasn't contributed on a consistent level for some time.

    Ratliff is an improvement over DJ Mbenga who was an energetic practice player but less productive in actual game situations.

    Gone too is Josh Powell with Caracter expected to take his place.

    Walton may not be able to contribute with the back injury. Ebanks is expected to sign on for what will probably be a low-minute learning experience.

    The bigger question is Brown, who filled in well for Kobe when Bryant sat injured. Shannon is one the top dunkers in the league (in-game, not necessarily in the contest format). He's also a strong defender against the Billups/Deron Williams type of point guards.

    If he doesn't sign on, those minutes will probably go to Vujacic, Barnes and Blake.

    In the West, the Lakers compare well to other teams. They don't have a wealth of young talent still trying to fully grasp the NBA game but L.A.'s bench should not be a major weakness this coming season.

    Too often last season the reserves gave up leads. Even if they give way this coming year with Bryant and/or Gasol resting their legs, the margin should be less than it was this past season.


    Coach - Phil Jackson

    If this is truly Jackson's last go-round as coach, Kupchak has given him a strong roster to work with. Phil has the chance to complete his fourth three-peat should the Lakers win the title. That's almost incomprehensible.

    The West has a number of strong coaches including Jerry Sloan, George Karl, Scott Brooks, Gregg Popovich, Nate McMillan and Rick Adelman (to name a few) - but none have Jackson's track record.

    Phil's return, on a one-year deal, was also among Kupchak's top priority.

    Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers stick to the triangle offense. No other coach has had an extended period of success in the NBA using the system outside of Jackson.

    Assistant Coach Brian Shaw appears to be the heir apparent, but team owner Dr. Buss has yet to tip his hand.

    In the meantime, the Lakers will look for their fourth NBA Finals appearance in as many years - their third straight title and sixth in 12 years.

    Staying healthy remains paramount. Pending the final two or three roster spots, Kupchak has done his work for the summer.
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