Los Angeles Lakers 2008 Season Preview

MVP Kobe Bryant & the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to repeat their last season success & capture the NBA title this time.

Los Angeles Lakers: 2007-08 Overview

Following a rocky start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers gelled together despite trade rumors floating around, possible trade scenarios being hyped, and proposed deals falling through. The Los Angeles Lakers flew under the trade radar until midseason, when the LA Lakers grabbed big man Pau Gasol in exchange for draft-pick bust Kwame Brown. The trade could not come at a better time, as an injured Andrew Bynum left a void in the front court that Pau Gasol would fill in admirably. With Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol joining forces, the Los Angeles Lakers would finish the season at 57-25 and would make a legitimate bid for the NBA Championship.

The LA Lakers snagged the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers breezed through Round 1 with a 4-0 sweep as Kobe Bryant proved to be too much for Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and the Denver Nuggets to handle. The LA Lakers headed into the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Utah Jazz. The series shaped up to be a high-scoring, physical affair, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ size and depth secured the victory. Next up would be the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, which was a 4-1 cakewalk for the well-rested Los Angeles Lakers. The LA Lakers’ magical playoff run would end in the NBA Finals against historic Finals rival, Boston Celtics. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Los Angeles Lakers turned in an amazing season.

Los Angeles Lakers: Offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers will head into the 2008-09 NBA season with a lineup that remains largely untouched from last season. The biggest addition to the lineup would have to be Andrew Bynum who used the better part of last season and this summer to recover from knee surgery. The 6-foot-9 Chinese playmaker Sun Yue joins the Los Angeles Lakers this season, along with draft pick Joe Crawford. As far as free agents go, the LA Lakers re-signed Sasha Vujacic and DJ Mbenga and picked up Dwayne Mitchell, C.J. Giles, Brandon Heath, and Josh Powell, who will likely fill the void left by free agent Ronny Turiaf.

Los Angeles Lakers: Offense

The Los Angeles Lakers are absolutely loaded with offense. Just look at the starting five of Kobe Bryant (28.3 PPG), Pau Gasol (18.8 PPG), Lamar Odom (14.2 PPG), Andrew Bynum (13.1 PPG in 35 games), and Derek Fisher (11.7 PPG). Kobe Bryant is the most dangerous offensive playmaker in the league. When Kobe Bryant has the ball, he can light up opponents with acrobatic shots, gravity-defying lay ups, clutch jumpers, and three-point daggers or burn you on the pass off.

If Andrew Bynum can pick up where he left off in last January, then the Los Angeles Lakers should dominate with a low-post presence. If Lamar Odom can find a way to co-exist and flourish with Pau Gasol at the four spot, then the LA Lakers will carve teams up. Players such as Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Luke Walton, among others, are sure to provide scoring off the bench. Backed by size, quickness, depth, arguably the best player in the game in Kobe Bryant, and prolific head coach in Phil Jackson, the Los Angeles Lakers should have no trouble finding offense this season.

Los Angeles Lakers: Defense

The LA Lakers’ weakness is obviously a lack of defensive toughness, but with the return of Andrew Bynum, the Los Angeles Lakers will have a true center protecting the rim, blocking shots and crashing the boards. Depending on how much energy he exerts on offense, Kobe Bryant is capable of locking down on defense just like he did during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Trevor Ariza brings defensive tenacity off the pine and is a capable perimeter defender.

Los Angeles Lakers: Lineup

Point Guard: Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic
Small Forward: Lamar Odom, Luke Walton
Power Forward: Pau Gasol, Vladimir Radmanovic
Center: Andrew Bynum, Chris Mihm

Los Angeles Lakers: Outlook

To start off the 2008-09 NBA season, the LA Lakers may have to do a little experimenting with their lineup. With Andrew Bynum returning to man the middle, seven-footer Pau Gasol will go back to his finesse role at power forward while Lamar Odom will adjust to his new role as the fourth scoring option. If the Bynum-Gasol-Odom frontcourt trio works out, the Lakers will have the size, rebounding, and passing advantage that no other Western Conference frontcourt has. If chemistry is a problem, then Coach Phil Jackson will have to put together a rotation that does work.

The Los Angeles Lakers are battling for supremacy in the talented Pacific Division, which includes the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings. If the LA Lakers can stay healthy and improve on defense, then they should have no trouble eclipsing the 60-win plateau during the 2008-09 NBA season. Look for MVP Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers to make a return trip to the NBA playoffs this year and make a legit bid for the NBA title once again.