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Los Angeles Lakers 2010-11 Preview:

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Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers 2009-10 Facts:
  • 2009-10 NBA Champions
  • Western Conference 1st Place
  • Pacific Division: 1st Place
  • Record: 57 Wins 25 Loses
  • Playoffs: 1st seed Defeated Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals

Key Moves:
Incoming
  • G Steve Blake
  • F Matt Barnes
  • C Theo Ratliff
  • F Devin Ebanks
  • F Derrick Character

Outgoing

  • G Jordan Farmer
  • F Josh Powell
  • C DJ Mbenga
  • F Adam Morrison
   
                     For a second year in a row the Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champions. Instead of keeping the group that won them two titles in a row the Lakers added several good major pieces. The two biggest additions are Steve Blake and Matt Barnes, while the wild card is Derrick Character. Steve Blake will come off the bench this seas for the Lakers, but will play major minutes at point guard. Derek Fisher is a solid shooter in the triangle, however Blake can guard faster point guards. When Ron Artest needs a break Matt Barnes will be the all out hustler who comes in and replaces him. Barnes can shoot the 3 pointer and plays hard nosed defense the perfect fit in Laker land. Derrick Character will probably not get a lot of playing time, but he can attack the post for the Lakers. In two years Character could be playing a huge role for the team. All this time and I didn’t even have to say anything about the top two players on the team Kobe Bryant and Paul Gasol. Kobe Bryant looks to be healed up, except for his broken finger. Gasol didn’t play for Spain this summer, thus was able to rest himself. Lamar Odom did play this summer for team USA and won the gold medal. Odom is the X-factor for the Lakers, if he plays hard and rebounds the basketball they will 3 peat.

  • Back Court:
Derek Fisher will be the starting point good, but look for Steve Blake to play the majority of the minutes. Fisher can still the big shot, however Blake is the better option. Blake can score, pass, and play the speedier point guard, which hurt the Lakers last season. Kobe Bryant will cruise through another regular season and be an MVP candidate. Bryant will likely play less minutes this season to heal up several of the nagging injuries that he has. Now that Bryant is getting older injuries like the broken finger might start to take a toll on him. The highflying Shannon Brown will be the back up shooting guard again this season. Brown can attack the basket and also keep up with the faster players on other teams. Sasha Vujacic will likely be traded or see garbage minutes this season.

  • Front Court:
The leader of the front court is Pau Gasol, but if Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom don’t play well the Lakers can be beat. Bynum will be a couple of weeks at the beginning of the season, however when he comes back look for him to have a solid year. Two championships can give a player confident and I see Bynum playing a lot more confident this season. Pau Gasol will be an all-star again this season and post his usual great numbers. Gasol needs to continue to be aggressive an attack the basket for the Lakers to be a dangerous team. As I said earlier the X-factor on the Lakers is Lamar Odom, if he comes to play the Lakers are repeating the title. Odom had a good summer with team USA and I think that will definitely help him this season. Odom can play defense, score, and rebound when he wants to. Will Ron Artest go overboard this season? Artest needs to be the best defender on the Lakers and shouldn’t worry about whether he’s scoring or not. When Artest sits down the defense will still be great because Matt Barnes will step in. The defense for the Lakers is excellent and that will be what wins them or loses them this years title. Derrick Character will likely play select minutes, but he’s a beast in the middle who can score. The problems with Character is his attitude and lack of defense, if he gets that situated he could be a great player for the next decade.

  • 2010-11 Predictions:
  • Center: Andrew Bynum
  • Power Forward: Pau Gasol
  • Small Forward: Ron Artest
  • Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
  • Point Guard: Derek Fisher
  • Sixth Man: Lamar Odom
Bench: Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Shannon Brown, Derrick Character, Devin Ebanks, Trey Johnson, Drew Naymick, Theo Ratliff,  Sasha Vujacic, and Luke Walton.

  • All Star Player: Kobe Bryant
  • Best Veteran Player: Lamar Odom
  • Best Asset: Pau Gasol
  • Best New Addition: Steve Blake
  • Key Player: Lamar Odom

  • Western Conference: 1st Place
  • Pacific Division: 1st  Place
                   The Lakers will have a tough time in the playoffs again this season, but I see them winning the title again. Plenty of teams in the Western Conference have the fire power to beat the Lakers, I just don’t see it happening. Look for Kobe Bryant to get his second 3peat and tie Michael Jordan with 6 championships.