Winning championships never is easy for any sports team, whether it's the Super Bowl trophy, NCAA title or NBA title. It takes hard work, determination and sometimes a stroke of luck.
But for the Lakers to repeat as NBA champions there are many factors that need to happen this season, such as Andrew Bynum staying off crutches and Derek Fisher refusing to blow out any more birthday candles.
Can the Lakers stay healthy and avoid the new-and-improved contenders, not only in the Western Conference, but the east as well? Time and games will tell whether the Lakers are destined for title No. 11.
Bryant's Health: For the Lakers to have a chance at winning a second NBA title, they need a healthy Kobe Bryant -- and that means from head to fingers to knees and toes. Staying out of the training room will be a challenge for the newly turned 31-year-old.
A 3-Point Threat: Now that Trevor Ariza is in Houston, the Lakers are going to need to find someone reliable to hit 3-pointers, not only in clutch situations (i.e. Derek Fisher).
Sasha Vujacic: After last season's dip in offense, a minor knee injury and getting kicked off the Slovenian National team, Sasha Vujacic will need a healthy boost of confidence to be effective for the Lakers.
Jackson's Health: The Lakers success will rely heavily on Phil Jackson's health and interest after winning his record 10th title. What will be his motivation now that he has put Red Auerbach to rest for good.
Gasol Summer Training: Pau Gasol's extra time in the weight room last season resulted in the Lakers muscling their way to the NBA title. Hopefully. the Spaniard has lifted a weight or two during the summer to stay in shape. It will makes holding two trophies that much easier.
The Bench: The Bench Mob will need to learn how to maintain leads late if the Lakers are going to have a chance at winning back-to-back titles.
A Happy Odom: Much of Lamar Odom's success (and happiness) last season was a result of his increased playing time when Andrew Bynum went down with an injury. The Lakers will need to find him enough minutes -- not just candy -- to keep him smiling.
Rambis Replacement: The good times could be over if the Lakers don't find someone to handle Kurt Rambis' duties, which included the team's defense. Can Phil Jackson go it alone? Will Brian Shaw or Frank Hamblen be chanting "D-fense!" from the bench?
Fisher's Leadership: Having Derek Fisher's experience and leadership around would make the Lakers' chances of a repeat much greater. Maybe the Lakers should look into cyrogenics.
An Eastern Brawl: The Lakers need the Eastern powers to beat up on each other during the regular season so they won't be much of a factor. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando all added key free agents, which could prove a tough task for the Lakers.
A Trade: Eeny Meeny Miney Mo -- which of these reserves should be the first to go? The Lakers should trade one, maybe more of their bench players for a quicker point guard. Someone needs to take over for Derek Fisher.
Bynum For A Whole Season: The Lakers would repeat handily if Andrew Bynum first stays injury-free and then produces double-doubles on a regular basis.
Focused Artest: The Lakers are going to need Ron Artest (TruwarierQB) to focus his energies on basketball instead of Twitter once the season begins. The mercurial guard also needs to stay out of trouble.
Take Denver Seriously: Chris Andersen re-signed with Denver, making the Nuggets once again a formidable opponent for the Lakers in the playoffs.
Watch Out For Spurs: WIth the addition of Richard Jefferson, the San Antonio Spurs once again will be contenders and tough opponents in the Western Conference. Nothing will come easy for the Lakers this season.
I understand that unforeseen occurrences can distrupt any plan, and that nothing is ever certain in life. The Lakers could very well not win the championship this season. With that said I dont believe the Lakers' situation is as dire as its presented in the above article.
I believe that this team has gone through enough battles these past two seasons, to be somewhat 'battle tested'. They accomplished the difficult task of reaching the finals a second time, besides the fact that they lost the first and were even embarrassed during the process. So now they have the type of postseason experience that no current team presetly holds. The Spurs may be the only team that could be comparable, however, they never faced the embarrassment adversity. Also, in addition to the current experience.. I dont believe another holds the collective winning past that the Lakers do. Firstly, Phil has been thru 3 three-peats, dealt with countless situations, and now again has a team that knows how to win. His coaching staff is equally mentally equipped. KB and Fish no longer have to carry the burden of being the sole, previous champs. Also, the arrival of Artest can be argued as a reason for complacency not being as much of a factor.
In comparison to the current contenders, I think the Lakers have the most going for them...
^^^I agree with Zen the lakers are battle tested over the last two season. But I think the one key to repeating is bynum inside game and SOMEBODY to consisted from the 3 point range.
As far as the western TEAM lakers will kill them down low.
^^^I agree with Zen the lakers are battle tested over the last two season. But I think the one key to repeating is bynum inside game and SOMEBODY to consisted from the 3 point range.
As far as the western TEAM lakers will kill them down low.
The reason why im very high on Brown is that he is very efficient wheit comes to the 3. If you can recall at the end of last season, and in the playoffs, Brown would taken open shots and make em' consistently. Not only that, but he would keep himself from forcing up shots, making the proper pass at the proper time. So I think with a bit more grooming in the triangle, he could become the tall shooting guard, that Phil typically prefers, at the triangles' pg position. Its almost like alternating because at the SG, Kobe does much of the distribution.
To me, its much simpler than 15 things... I think it all comes down to team health. If they stay healthy, they play/practice together and the journey takes shape. All the rest falls in place. Injuries can destroy a team, so I hope for everyone to be healthy!
Since we will once again have strong post play, will we need to worry about our play above the key? We won the championship last year with subpar point guards. Will it be a factor this season if our guards struggle again?
To me, its much simpler than 15 things... I think it all comes down to team health. If they stay healthy, they play/practice together and the journey takes shape. All the rest falls in place. Injuries can destroy a team, so I hope for everyone to be healthy!
Good point about Health, but I don't think it stops there. Dedication to hard work and focus should be there too. They could be healhy but if they don't commit to hard work, they will be out worked, 2 steps slower on defense etc. Focus should be there too, as they cannot commit too many mistakes leading to easy transistion baskets by the other team.Ron Artest is a very good player when he is focussed but at times he is not, forcing shots, being a distraction etc.
Good point about Health, but I don't think it stops there. Dedication to hard work and focus should be there too. They could be healhy but if they don't commit to hard work, they will be out worked, 2 steps slower on defense etc. Focus should be there too, as they cannot commit too many mistakes leading to easy transistion baskets by the other team.Ron Artest is a very good player when he is focussed but at times he is not, forcing shots, being a distraction etc.
I don't disagree with what you say, but my point was that it all starts with a healthy team... your point would fall into the following statement, but remember, i referred to the "journey" which encompasses all that you speak and much more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalPimp
If they stay healthy, they play/practice together and the journey takes shape.
Sorry but from last season, Pjax finally sold me on the concept of the journey each season. Hopefully I will be more calm about next season... LOL
Kurt Rambis is gone? What happned to him? I don't keep up too much with the NBA during the offseason, mostly just the big transactions but Kurt means so much to this team.
Kurt Rambis is gone? What happned to him? I don't keep up too much with the NBA during the offseason, mostly just the big transactions but Kurt means so much to this team.
head coach of the timberwolves now...
one of the 15 things the lakers need to do is win 16 games in the post season...lol
man... that's kind of a big loss. The guys will definitely have to adjust but I assume the majority of the coaching staff remains intact, starting with PJ. Who is his replacement?
As Socal has pointed out, health is a huge factor for success. I also believe its bringing it each night and executed each night. They took too many days off last year and with the elite improving, they cannot afford to do so
As Socal has pointed out, health is a huge factor for success. I also believe its bringing it each night and executed each night. They took too many days off last year and with the elite improving, they cannot afford to do so
True but maybe taking those nights off at times helped them when it mattered later on in the playoffs in terms of avoiding injury, lack of fatigue e.t.c
True but maybe taking those nights off at times helped them when it mattered later on in the playoffs in terms of avoiding injury, lack of fatigue e.t.c
Could be, but homecourt will be huge this year. It helped us win against the Nuggets and will help us in the finals, IF we make it there
15 things the Lakers need to repeat as champs
