The Los Angeles Lakers made a statement last season. In the face of so many naysayers, Kobe Bryant proved that this team had what it takes to win a championship. Many fans and experts doubted Kobe Bryant once the Lakers lost Shaq.
Well, for one, they're the defending champions. They defeated the Orlando Magic with relative ease in the NBA finals, and looked very solid throughout the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
Lamar Odom was - and maybe still is - one of the most inconsistent good players in the NBA. There are some games Odom was a top 5 player and other times you wouldn't even notice him on the court.
Andrew Bynum needs to have a break out year this season because he has contributed little in his career thus far. Bynum has improved his scoring average every year he has been in the league but can't stay healthy. Bynum is a good talent; he has size and has shown signs of having the potential to be a great big man.
After a wildly successful season, one has to wonder if the Lakers can do this again. Kobe Bryant will turn 32 this season, still young enough to play some very effective basketball.
It's hard to repeat as champions in professional sports because players get hurt and more trades happen now then ever before. The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and he is playing at an elite level.
Then there's the x-factor, of course. The signing of Ron Artest, one of the best defensive players in basketball. Artest will turn 31, making for a well aged team that has the physical prowess and the knowledge to do anything a team is capable of doing. The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to repeat entering the season.
Well, for one, they're the defending champions. They defeated the Orlando Magic with relative ease in the NBA finals, and looked very solid throughout the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
Lamar Odom was - and maybe still is - one of the most inconsistent good players in the NBA. There are some games Odom was a top 5 player and other times you wouldn't even notice him on the court.
Andrew Bynum needs to have a break out year this season because he has contributed little in his career thus far. Bynum has improved his scoring average every year he has been in the league but can't stay healthy. Bynum is a good talent; he has size and has shown signs of having the potential to be a great big man.
After a wildly successful season, one has to wonder if the Lakers can do this again. Kobe Bryant will turn 32 this season, still young enough to play some very effective basketball.
It's hard to repeat as champions in professional sports because players get hurt and more trades happen now then ever before. The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and he is playing at an elite level.
Then there's the x-factor, of course. The signing of Ron Artest, one of the best defensive players in basketball. Artest will turn 31, making for a well aged team that has the physical prowess and the knowledge to do anything a team is capable of doing. The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to repeat entering the season.
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