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Los Angeles Lakers 2008/2009 Season Preview
Once in the finals, the Lakers fell flat on their face, losing the series to the Boston Celtics in just five games. Even more embarassing was how they lost the clinching game of the series: by 38 points.
However, head coach Phil Jackson stressed afterward that anything the team did this season was unexpected and pretty much just icing on the cake. He felt all along that this upcoming season would be the breakout year.
Part of the reason for Jackson's sentiments was the fact that center Andrew Bynum suffered a knee injury halfway through the season never returned. After being a non-factor the two previous seasons, things finally clicked for the young center last year and he became a dominant presence in the low post.
If Bynum is healthy for the upcoming season, which he should be, look out. The Lakers will be able to pair Bynum with fellow big man Pau Gasol, who the team effectively stole from the Memphis Grizzlies before the trading deadline last year.
Gasol proved to be a perfect fit for Jackson's triangle offense and will form a lethal low-post tandem alongside Bynum.
Interestingly enough, the season began with star guard Kobe Bryant bashing his teammates, saying he couldn't possibly win with such a sorry group, and asking for a trade. Ironically enough, Bryant's teammates seemed angered by his comments and really stepped up their play to show him they were talented players.
Veteran point guard Derek Fisher came over from the Utah Jazz and had an outstanding season. He always gets overlooked and is one of the more underrated players in the league. Jordan Farmar did a great job backing him up, and Sasho Vujacic and Luke Walton made significant contributions.
Forward Lamar Odom is a force when he gets physical on the inside, but he hangs out on the perimeter too often. As good as he can be at times, I'd love to see the Lakers trade him for forward Ron Artest. The real missing link for the Lakers is a hard-nosed defender and rebounder.
With a healthy Bynum back in the fold, the Los Angeles Lakers should be the favorites to win the Western Conference and possibly an NBA title.
Posted 8/15/2008
The Los Angeles Lakers surprised everyone last year by claiming the top seed in the Western Conference and advancing to the NBA Finals.Once in the finals, the Lakers fell flat on their face, losing the series to the Boston Celtics in just five games. Even more embarassing was how they lost the clinching game of the series: by 38 points.
However, head coach Phil Jackson stressed afterward that anything the team did this season was unexpected and pretty much just icing on the cake. He felt all along that this upcoming season would be the breakout year.
Part of the reason for Jackson's sentiments was the fact that center Andrew Bynum suffered a knee injury halfway through the season never returned. After being a non-factor the two previous seasons, things finally clicked for the young center last year and he became a dominant presence in the low post.
If Bynum is healthy for the upcoming season, which he should be, look out. The Lakers will be able to pair Bynum with fellow big man Pau Gasol, who the team effectively stole from the Memphis Grizzlies before the trading deadline last year.
Gasol proved to be a perfect fit for Jackson's triangle offense and will form a lethal low-post tandem alongside Bynum.
Interestingly enough, the season began with star guard Kobe Bryant bashing his teammates, saying he couldn't possibly win with such a sorry group, and asking for a trade. Ironically enough, Bryant's teammates seemed angered by his comments and really stepped up their play to show him they were talented players.
Veteran point guard Derek Fisher came over from the Utah Jazz and had an outstanding season. He always gets overlooked and is one of the more underrated players in the league. Jordan Farmar did a great job backing him up, and Sasho Vujacic and Luke Walton made significant contributions.
Forward Lamar Odom is a force when he gets physical on the inside, but he hangs out on the perimeter too often. As good as he can be at times, I'd love to see the Lakers trade him for forward Ron Artest. The real missing link for the Lakers is a hard-nosed defender and rebounder.
With a healthy Bynum back in the fold, the Los Angeles Lakers should be the favorites to win the Western Conference and possibly an NBA title.
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