Los Angeles Lakers 2009 2010 Preview

General — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:31:59 +0000

Background

The LA Lakers are coming off an impressive playoff run where they were most definitely tested and proved (contrary to what the sore losers over in Boston might think) that they were tough enough to win a championship. Kobe and his goons got that evil monkey off their back and you would feel like their mission has been accomplished, and the hunger has been somewhat subdued. Well, that would be true for most people and teams, but a Kobe Bryant team will never quite lose the hunger to win. To top it off, this off-season they decided to mix it up a bit and let go their second most effective player in the playoffs (Trevor Ariza), and in exchange got NBA maniac, Ron Artest.

Lakers additions in 2010

Ron Artest

Lakers departures in 2010

Trevor Ariza

Probably Starting Lineup for the 2009 2010 Lakers

PG – Derek Fisher
SG – Kobe Bryant
SF – Ron Artest
PF – Pau Gasol
C – Andrew Byrnum

Los Angeles Lakers Guards

It just doesn’t feel right to write this but the Lakers’ guards might be the only weak part of their team. Sure you got Kobe Bryant, one of the top 2 players in the world right now. Besides that, the Lakers have been pretty week for the past several years and will continue to be so in the 2009-2010 season. Derek Fisher might be a clutch shooter but he was downright abysmal in the playoffs this years save for a couple of huge shots in the NBA finals. Derek’s reserves Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown have not been consistent enough to warrant a starting spot and they will have to prove themselves throughout the season to take as many minutes away from Fisher as they can. Kobe Bryant still doesn’t have a proper reserve to really make him comfortable when he’s resting on the bench but the addition of Ron Artest will bring a layer of toughness to the supporting cast that can easily fluctuate from a major asset to a liability. Sasha Vujacic despite a new haircut, needs to get his shooting touch back on to fit back into the rotation of this very deep team.

Los Angeles Lakers Forwards

The LA Lakers forwards are the best in the league bar none. Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest are three all-star caliber players that have led teams by themselves in the past. You add to that good supporting players like Luke Walton and Josh Powell and you have scary depth. Trevor Ariza will be deeply missed, no matter how good Ron Artest can fit into the triangle offense. It will be interesting to see how Phil Jackson can give enough playing time to all these players to keep them all focused and motivated.

Los Angeles Lakers Centers

Andrew Brynum if he manages to stay healthy, should be the starting center of the Western Conference Allstars in 2010. DJ Mbenga will be a body that P-Jax can throw in when there’s foul trouble problems. Pau Gasol should also see alot of time at the center spot with the amount of depth that the Lakers have over at the forward positions.

Best Case Scenario for the LA Lakers

The Lakers have way too much talent, experience, and wisdom to not repeat as Champions in the 2010 season. Ron Artest behaves like a good boy and the Lakers are even stronger than last year. Andrew Brynum has the best season of his early career and becomes a true force to be reckoned with. Even with an injury to Odom, Artest,Gasol, or Brynum they have enough to win a title without major challenge up until the Finals.

Worst Case Scenario for the LA Lakers

The LA Lakers didn’t exactly win the title last year too comfortably so it’s not hard to see them slip up this year with other teams more hungry and back in full form. Plus, Trevor Ariza was a perfect fit and played tremendously throughout the playoffs, there’s no guarantee that Ron Artest will be as useful in a Lakers jersey. Brynum has another shaky season and Artest never manages to fill Artest’s shoes and more hungry teams take the championship away from Hollywood.

Lakers 2010 Outlook

The LA Lakers will have a comfortable season and stroll their way to the top of the Western Conference standings. They should have no problems reaching the Western Conference Finals and then edging out first a aged San Antonio team and then their Finals opponents in a tightly contested 7 game series.

LA Lakers 2010 Predictions

Record: 64-18

Surprise Player: Shannon Brown impressing and taking most of the minutes at the PG spot

Key Player: Ron Artest and his psychological baggage

That wraps up the Los Angeles Lakers 2009-2010 season preview and our detailed look at the Lakers in the 2010 season.

NBA Basketball » Los Angeles Lakers