The Lakers Optimist

All Eyes On Lakers

April 13, 2015

Well there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The 2014-2015 NBA season is mercifully drawing to a close and the Los Angeles Lakers are closing in on making history– in a bad way. They have the most losses by any Lakers team EVER.

There are no playoffs aspirations or preparations this year. Lakers fans have the painstaking task of deciding who to root for in the playoffs if not the purple and gold. Lakers brass are rather testing out the youth, sitting down veterans (what’s left of them after injury) and seeing who is written in the future plans of this team which is unmistakably in a rebuilding mode.

How does one be an optimist about this?

Make no mistake, as bad as the Lakers are and as close to rock bottom things look, the Lakers will be one of the most trending teams this summer.

All eyes will be on Purple and Gold.

The reason being is that both Lakers lovers and Lakers haters alike know that this team doesn’t stay down for too long, although this is definitely one of hardest stretches in Lakers history. I can’t recall back to back seasons being at the bottom of the West. But there is reason to believe that this team can turn things around very quickly.

The Lakers are in need of only a few pieces. It seems like they need a complete team overhaul, but when you consider all the close losses they’ve had this season, it shows the lack of a dominant go-to guy or two, and a closer. Even if Kobe returns anywhere near his former self, he will not be enough. Look at teams like Cleveland, Miami and OKC to see how missing only a couple key players can change the complexion of a team. Miami lost LeBron. Cleveland gained LeBron and Kevin Love. The Thunder played much of the early season without Westbrook and KD and looked awful. Understanding this logic, we can see how a couple of star quality players can transforms this team. The Lakers need only 2.

This season saw the Lakers completely outplayed on the glass and in the paint. They were simply undersized. By forcing 4’s to play the 5, they have had players like Jordan Hill and Ed Davis play out of position all season long. This is the most glaring issue to address.

That is not to say that they couldn’t benefit from a great player at almost every position. But this team has draft picks and the money to pick up a big ticket free agent. With names like Gasol, Munroe, Rondo and Dragic available, the Lakers can make a huge splash if they do it right. Declaring for the draft you have Karl Townes and Jahlil Okafor among others that can also make a big splash and contribute quickly.

The Lakers have a solid bench and a budding star point guard in Jordan Clarkson. They have Julius Randle poised to make strong return next year and the Black Mamba expects to go out on a high note. They grabbed solid bigs in Ed Davis, Tarik Black and Jordan Hill. Wayne Ellington has just about guaranteed his place as the back-up 2 guard. Can’t forget about Swaggy P.

It’s important for Lakers to address the Center and Small Forward position. We know that the players on the fringe such as Jeremy Lin, who has made a case for his return the latter part of this season, must be considered after the draft and free agent attempts. I would be disappointed if they didn’t address those two positions.

Needless to say, we as Laker fans will be watching intently to see if the Lakers will come up big or come up empty this off-season.

So next season may be “epic”, if the Lakers OFF-SEASON is epic.

Posted in Kobe Bryant, lakers, nba, sports | 1 Comment »

State of the Lakers: The Youth Movement

January 27, 2015

We started off the season with Laker Optimist hopes. We had a rising star in Julius Randle– the face of the future. We had seasoned veterans Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash to lead. We had a gameplan implemented by coach Byron Scott to focus on defense. We added Jeremy Lin to bolster the backup point guard position. Swaggy P returned to provide scoring punch from the bench. I liked the Lakers to be a 6-8th seed and I was excited.

Then the season began. Then the injuries happened. Then the losses piled up. Lost Nash. Lost Randle.

We saw a team that couldn’t quite find a way to play defense. They have flashes of brilliance, but continued to falter in the 3rd and 4th quarters. There was a lot of Kobe watching at the beginning of the season and a whole bunch of Kobe shooting and scoring. We were losing, but Kobe was winning.

Byron made a lineup change in favor of defense. Booz and Lin go to the bench. They showed signs of improvement and then more injuries started to affect the team. The team, for whatever reason, still couldn’t get it going. More importantly, Kobe Bryant hit a wall. This wall caused inconsistency in lineup and rotation in order to preserve Kobe.

Inconsistency of lineup chemistry. Inability to fight over screens. Poor rotations. Inability to make shots in the 4th quarter. This team is the bad team that fights for 3 quarters and falls flat in the 4th. Sometimes this time starts flat and fights from behind for 3 quarters and then finally succcumbs in the 4th quarter.

So the Lakers are totally out of the playoff picture. Aside from a blockbuster trade involving a game changing point guard and a game changing center, or a complete turnaround by this team, things won’t get any better. This team has a defensive inconsistency that is only eclipsed by its inability to score at times. When they can’t defend, they can’t score and when they can score, they can’t defend. With this reality, including Kobe’s recent possibly season-ending injury, Coach Scott has gone to youth development.

I’m excited, I must say. The Lakers have a great recipe for future success. Jordan Clarkson’s poise, quickness and energy has made him easily one of my favorite rookies. Tarik Black’s defensive mind, Ed Davis’ shot blocking and paint shooting acurracy and Ryan Kelly’s shooting and ability to create off the dribble when given the opportunity present a bright future. Byron has gone with Clarkson, Ellington, Kelly, Hill and Sacre to start games. It’s important to start developing these guys as they figure out who will be added in the off-season to provide that competitive starting unit.

I haven’t given up! I’m the Laker’s Optimist! But I do see the writing on the wall. With the All-Star break around the corner, which is a great time to determine whether your team is a competitor, championship team, or bottom-feeder, we know what kind of team we are dealing with. Now we watch to scout players, see what works and what doesn’t, and see what improvements can be made towards the end of the year.

It’s a good time to see where some of these players fit in now and for the future. This includes Boozer and Lin. Lin is arguably the best PG on this team and has to at some point step up and prove it. Boozer has proven to be a very solid bench player as far as offensive production. I hope that after about 20 more games to give you another blog about this very topic.

So sit back, relax, get your popcorn and enjoy the glimpse into the future of the Purple and Gold.

Tags: Byron Scott, Jeremy Lin, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, kobe bryant, lakers, nba, Swaggy P
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Byron Scott to Make Lakers Starting Lineup Changes: Who’s In, Who’s Out?

December 7, 2014

Coach Byron Scott ponders lineup changes.

Newsflash. Lakers still stink. They show quick glimpses of hope by way of a few wins and then they go back to losing. They have dry spells, 3rd quarter lapses and 4th quarter meltdowns. They have minimal help for Kobe on offense, their defense creates layup lines, players look disinterested at times and Byron Scott has had enough.

So guys gotta sit the bench.

But is this going to work? It’s certainly worth a try. The Lakers for the first time in a couple years has had the benefit of starting lineup consistency and have squandered it. This lineup is bad, real bad– Michael Jackson (#kanye)!

Let’s look at it this way. If Byron is truly in harmony with Lakers management, which I think is true, players should take note when coach benches you. This should create an urgency to earn your minutes or be benched, waived or traded. This is important because the concern with benching players is this drops morale and can create friction and negative energy. Management needs to back the coach. Because this is necessary. They are losing bad! You’d hope players are on board with doing anything for the team.

So how should Byron do this? Who’s benched? I’m on the edge of my seat and here’s what I hope for.

Lin is NOT the starting point guard. Everyone has said it. He and Kobe cannot coexist. Mainly because Lin can’t be alpha dog mentality with Kobe. He won’t. That’s not his persona on a consistent basis. So chemistry suffers. Defensively, he’s still not quite there either. He’s not that dude. So somebody has to replace him. In pre-season Price and Kobe did well because Price simply set Kobe up. Price doesn’t feel pressure and didn’t seem to cave in to it. Upgrade? Not really but it also gives Lin an opportunity to run the offense in that second unit.

Carlos Boozer is NOT the starting power forward! Mainly this is a defensive issue. The fouls, the getting beat on defense, it’s becoming an issue. Maybe he’s not working well with Kobe either. Something is lacking though. He needs to join the bench mob. I love the Lin – Davis connection, so perhaps it’s time to put Sacre at center and move Hill to power forward. I also am for Davis starting too. This actually helps Kobe and Hill with Davis being the big man down low and Hill and Kobe with the mid-range game. Either move will help defensively. How Booz will take it? I don’t know but it’s necessary that he finally take a seat. (Wish Randle was here).

Wesley Johnson was given ultimate trust by Byron Scott and we didn’t see that new Wesley. Wesley Johnson is NOT the starting small forward. Purely for that inconsistent play. With Lin going to the bench, you can either have Lin and Young on the wings on that bench, or bring Young in as starting small forward. The Lakers need energy in the starting lineup AND consistency. Now Swaggy P has been known to falter a bit as a starter, so I’m on the fence about this. Kobe can also move to small forward to replace Johnson, inserting Ellington to the 2. No matter what Johnson is going to join the bench mob.

The only two guys guaranteed a starting position are Kobe Bryant and Jordan Hill. I’d be shocked and disappointed if I didn’t see 3 new guys alongside them.

I’m also not opposed to Byron developing his youth. Maybe we bring Roscoe Smith and Jordan Clarkson from the D-league and give them some minutes. Also, sign Earl Clark immediately as another small forward option.

Chemistry and wins also develop faster with better players. Lakers are mum about trades but I’m sure there’s something on the horizon. It’s not like Byron has a plethora of options to choose from. Overall they don’t have players that would ever really start on a championship contender. Grant it, any player can shine given the opportunity. This is what we have left to hope for in the case of our beloved Lakers, that somebody steps up.

With the Lakers being this horrible right now, there is still nowhere else to go but up. Let’s start with the starting lineup and see if Byron can at least find a competitive combination and go from there becase you just don’t get killed by the Boston Celtics!

Tags: Byron Scott, Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin, lakers, lakersnation, Lakeshow, Swaggy P
Posted in Kobe Bryant, lakers, nba, sports | Leave a Comment »

Are the Lakers Truly Better Than Their Record?

November 29, 2014

3-13. That’s the current record for the Lakers this season so far. It’s wise that the Lakers keep a positive outlook by seeing improvements in losses and saying things like they are better than their record.

But are they better than their record?

Bad teams spend a season getting blown out on some nights (Golden State) and showing some fight on others (Memphis, Clippers). After the close losses one starts to think, “well if they put forth that type of effort every night… ”

But it never happens with bad teams. It didn’t happen against the cellar-dwelling Minnesota Timberwolves last night. They can never seem to put together the closing effort good enough pull out victories rather than moral victories. Good teams play with the bad teams and win at the end because they are that good. Lakers fans know that because we’ve been on the other end of that.

We are now 16 games into the season with the season with the question being which team is this Lakers team?

In most cases you are your record. But Oklahoma City is not their record because of obvious injuries to their star players. Do the Lakers have any excuses why they are dismally 10 games below .500?

No. Not really.

Their starting five is healthy and has had ample opportunities to build chemistry.

Right now we are witnessing a team that cannot play defense. When they do, they can’t score. They can lead but can’t close out. They blow big leads because they lack killer instinct. They look…well…like a bad team.

Against Minnesota they gave up 120 points. Byron is mad. He said the team lacks focus. What can possibly take away your focus? What could be more capable of creating a sense of urgency and focus than being 9 games under .500? And they didn’t have it? So is it focus or talent??

I have to believe that they are better than their record, but at the same time that record isn’t a mistake. They kinda stink right now. Really bad. The question is can they turn it around?

So where’s the optimism? They have about 30 games to figure it out. By all-star break, the team you are is the team you are.

The Lakers haters and the Lakers lovers are both watching. Let’s see what happens.

Tags: Byron Scott, Jeremy Lin, kobe bryant, lakers, nba
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Things Fall Apart? The Lakers Deal With Adversity of Historic Proportions

November 18, 2014

Things have gone from bad to worst in Lakerland. The Lakers have not competed. They have been killed in the paint. They have been killed on the glass. They have their worst start in history. They are the worst defensive team in the league. They are 1-9.

How does one be an optimist about this?

What’s going on? Following their beating against Golden State, you can hear frustration and disharmony in the locker room from the coach on down. Let’s break down what’s being said. This is very telling.

Lin says as safely as possible amid pauses, no trust and no communication. He shot the ball twice. TWICE. The point guard.

Boozer says not enough trust, not enough guys involved. He says they gotta find a balance between Kobe taking over and Kobe sharing the ball.

Kobe speaks about guys not getting back on defense in transition. He then says he starts off trying to get guys involved and then at some point he’s got to keep them in the game. Basically, if I don’t trust you, I’m not giving you the ball. And so he didn’t.

Byron said simply he’s very close to making lineup changes in search of effort.

At the start of the season I said this was a playoff team. My view hasn’t changed.

The Lakers are struggling with the age-old issue of the Kobe effect. Kobe trusts you, the ball moves, everybody wins, i.e. Charlotte. Kobe doesn’t trust you, the ball sticks, might win, might not. Many times you lose. In the glory days, not so long ago, there was Shaq, Pau, Horry, Odom, Fox, Harper, Ariza, Bynum and the list goes on and on. In the dog days there was Smush, Mihm, Adkins, Kwame…etc. With Lin, Boozer, Hill, Young, Johnson…the question is which group is this one??

They obviously take issue with the Kobe takeover effect. There are valid complaints. Players are out of rhythm. They lose interest defensively. They don’t feel a part of the game. Okay… Here’s the thing. Can Kobe force-feed initiative? How patient should Kobe be? Kobe takes on a “if you want something right you gotta do it yourself” mentality once things seem out of hand. Problem is, the game is typically out of hand already. Picture a company where you don’t empower your subordinates by entrusting them with tasks because they make a few mistakes. What kind of motivation do you create and what kind of morale do you create? How do they learn? But as with any team leader, this is the balance challenge you have. It can be done. See Spurs.

Kobe, like everyone else needs to trust the system. I’m not so sure what we saw against Golden State was what Byron drew up in practice. That certainly was not the Princeton offense. When it’s Kobe vs. the world on offense, there is no flow and no rhythm. He needs to empower his teammates.

However… There’s more than one way to contribute. When Kobe’s got it going like that, the rest of the team can expend energy on the defensive end. Get stops. Don’t be selfish. It’s not always scoring. But guys give up on both ends. It gets ugly. Guys need to also take power and empower themselves!

But offense isn’t the problem. Lakers scored 115 points and gave up way more. 90 has always been my magic number for a successful defensive team. They cannot or will not do it. Byron Scott said that he will make lineup changes starting Tuesday. He simply has to follow through or he loses credibility.

What changes can be expected?

I would like to see him take a defense and youth development approach. We tried the veteran offensive approach. Place guys alongside Kobe that, one will give maximum effort, two, will play defense hard and three, won’t be so high and mighty that they get butt-hurt when they don’t get the ball. Definitely expect Ed Davis to start over Boozer.

Here are changes that I would like to see. Nick Young needs to start at small forward, giving Kobe a break with scoring and giving Lakers two offensive threats. Kobe also gets freed up to expend energy on defense. Price needs to start over Lin. Sorry Lin. Price is a better defender. Also he feels no pressure to run the offense. He and Kobe looked comfortable together in the backcourt during pre-season while Lin was hurt. Lin will be much more assertive running the second unit. I’m on the fence with this but Sacre needs to be in at center. He is the only true center Lakers have. He’s not perfect but he works hard and has really developed that jumpshot. He can spread the floor while Davis handles the inside scoring. Right now it stands, nobody on the Lakers is getting in the paint and they are allowing way to many paint points. It’s paintball out there.

So here’s my lineup:

Sacre
Davis
Young
Bryant
Price

I know they are 1-9. It’s horrible right now. But it’s still 10 games into the season and plenty of time to turn around. They won’t play top 4 playoff teams all season. Let’s see if these guys truly can respond to adversity. One adversity added would have to be players being forced to come of the bench. If Byron is true to his word, this will happen. The next would be to keep it together because they are publicly NOT on the same page. Byron’s got his work cut out for him. We will also see how Byron can lead Kobe Bryant and reign in the mamba when he wants to takeover like against Golden State.

No better time to work it all out than now. Time isn’t running out, but it is running. Perhaps, things turn up in the A.T.L.

I gotta expect that. I’m the Lakers Optimist.

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Lakers A Work in Progress?

November 7, 2014

http://kfwbam.com

Nope! It’s still not time to panic. The Lakers have jumped out to a historically bad start and even as we fans have reason to freak out, we have to keep things in perspective. Seriously, perhaps I’m only living up to my name. But remember, I’m the Lakers Optimist.

The Lakers hobbled into the season after a myriad on injuries robbed them of their time to gel. Lin did not play in the starting lineup until the last couple games on pre-season. Chemistry is still settling in.

The Lakers, ready or not, took on a well prepared Houston Rockets team. During that drubbing they lost Julius Randle and took a deflated effort to Phoenix where Phoenix fully took advantage. They then proceeded to take on the Clippers and Warriors in back to back games, really learning on the fly. 4 games in 5 nights against playoff contenders. Hey, they could have won those last two.

So it’s not the fairest sample size, is it?
The question is, should Lakers fans panic? Nah. Each game they are getting better at playing together. Defensively they need a lot of work, but notice an increased effort each game. The team isn’t incapable. It’s learning. The learning curve is extremely high being that it’s the season, but they will get better and hit their stride.

What must happen?

Lin and Boozer must help Kobe. Lin and Kobe must help Hill and Boozer on defense. Lin has to attack relentlessly and keep defenses on their heels. Boozer must run towards the basket and stop settling for that jumpshot.

Price needs to run the offense and lead the defense of the second unit. The bench mob has to back up the starters. They completely floundered against Phoenix when the starters actually did well!

They have an opportunity against the Hornets on Sunday to start the winning culture. I fully expect them to turn it around. Lakers fans are the most impatient fans in the league, but we’ll have to be.

Don’t panic yet. Byron, Kobe and company will get it right.

Stay tuned!

Tags: Byron Scott, kobe bryant, lakers, nba
Posted in Kobe Bryant, lakers, nba, sports | 1 Comment »

The Redemption Season Begins for Lakers

October 28, 2014

“….Flush it. Next season will be epic”
–Kobe Bryant on Twitter

Lakers fans endured a long summer watching other teams not named the Lakers compete for basketball royalty, waiting to see what happens to D’antoni, watching to see what pick we get in the lottery, watching to see who we pick, waiting to see our roster and watching to see who will usher in the new Laker era.

Now it begins. The redemption season.

Starring Kobe Bryant. Redemption for him is to be the dominant force he was before the season ending injuries. He wants to prove it to himself, but personally I want him to shut up the pundits and the haters. He has something to prove and nothing to prove all as once.

Also starring Jeremy Lin. Jeremy Lin has put LinSanity to rest in favor of Lintertaining. Redemption for Lin is returning to relevancy as a top tier point guard. In Houston they benched him for poor defense. Lin wants to show he is in fact a good defender. The opportunity is his for the taking.

Featuring Carlos Boozer. Much like Lin, Boozer was benched in Chicago for lack of defense. Boozer has been considered aging and on a downturn. Perhaps his redemption is to prove he is that spring chicken he claims to be. Byron’s given him that starting role to do that.

Add in Ed Davis who fought for minutes in Memphis, Julius Randle who should’ve gone earlier in the draft and Jordan Clarkson who should have gone in the first round.

The Lakers have always had their haters and this year the pundits are wasting countless articles on negative views and predictions. I know because I read them.

This year is will be different. Yes. Very different.

The pre-season saw a Laker team that really moved up the learning curve quickly. The team has begun to take on a defensive identity. Lin and Price are proven solid point guards that were missing for years. Ed Davis has proven himself to be a rim protector. Hill has been Hill. Kobe is back. Really. Randle is settling into the game.

The team is buying into Byron’s philosophy and taking on his personality.

This team will be dangerous even as they await the return of Nick Young, Xavier Henry and Ryan Kelly. Kobe and Lin’s ability to create their own shot will create problems for defenses. Boozer and Hill will create havoc on the glass. Davis off the bench will patrol the paint and Price will provide a tenacious 2nd unit defensively. Randle will grow to be a confident offensive threat.

The Lakers will have to maintain as much familiarity within their rotations. Chemistry is huge. They have to minimize defensive breakdowns and really consistently contest shots, create havoc and muddy up the game.

Every game is a statement game. This first one is no different. I don’t believe Kobe has to run this offense. Kobe doesn’t believe that either. This is a team game and expect that this season. Expect team defense. And I expect them to win a bunch of games, starting tonight.

Lakers play Houston tonight at 7:30. Let’s see how the Scott-Bryant era begins.

Tags: Byron Scott, Carlos Boozer, espn, Houston, Jeremy Lin, kobe bryant, lakers, the Lakers Optimist
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Too Early To Panic

October 16, 2014

http://www.nba.com

Easy there, Lakers fans!

The Lakers came out the box with a huge win against a Denver that featured a dangerous point guard and a pretty strong offense. They played defense. They attacked the basket. Kobe looked good. Nash looked good.

But it’s just pre-season.

Then the Lakers went up against the much better championship contending Golden State Warriors and got mauled…twice. They didn’t play defense. They didn’t attack the basket. Kobe looked pretty good. Nash didn’t play.

But it’s just pre-season.

Let’s dissect the Lakers current situation. Byron is still putting his team through rigorous conditioning. In fact the team had practice the same day of the 2nd game against Golden State. For much of the game Golden State played their starters against the Lakers 2nd, 3rd and maybe even 4th string players. These are two teams with a different pre-season focus. Golden State is pretty set in their rotation whereas Lakers are figuring it out. Golden State is healthy where Lakers are not.

Keep away from the panic button!

These guys will get it. Coach Scott says he’ll be tapering off the conditioning as they get closer to the season. They are working on fine tuning offensive and defensive strategy. Aware of the injuries, they will most likely start settling in on their rotations. Things will be cleaned up. Being killed by 40 is ugly, but if you’re going to have your ugly games, it’s best that it happens now when it does not matter.

If I’m not mistaken, the 1984-85 Lakers lost by 42 in pre-season. We know how that season turned out.

There’s no need to pick on Scott’s coaching or take his comments out of proportion. But because of the losses, they have had a media field day!

10 to 15 Threes. Yes! Exactly! The Lakers should not be jacking up threes early in the clock. This leads to long rebounds and transition buckets. Rather, Lakers will stay inside out. Threes are necessary within the flow of the offense. He gave a number and you pundits ran with it.

Fouling on defense. Yes! Exactly! Standing by and getting dunked on all night and getting beat off the dribble isn’t defense. What Coach Scott expects is active hands, fighting on every play and not giving up easy layups. The byproduct of this defense will be fouls and physicality. Also, as this team learns this philosophy they will foul less and less. Easy, pundits!

Clippers are 0-3. Jazz are 3-0. Means nothing. Sure it helps to win, but the Lakers are hopefully focused on the big picture.

Look for the Lakers to be a little more cohesive and less lost on offense and defense tonight against the Jazz. They are still missing key players, so don’t expect too much yet. Be patient. They still have guys out including Lin, Clarkson, Nash, Henry and Kelly. Many of these guys will be back in time for the tail end of pre-season.

Remember. It’s just pre-season.

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Lakers Upgrades to Look For

October 6, 2014

http://www.nba.com/lakers

Contrary to what the pundits have said, the Lakers have serious upgrades from last year which promises a significant turnaround from last year– a playoffs type of turnaround. And here’s why:

Byron Scott. The coaching change is already paying dividends simply in the changed culture of the team. D’antoni was very much an more passive coach, who never seemed really sure of himself. Pau Gasol many times complained of discipline lacking. This team needed something very different for a place like L.A. and a team like the Lakers. The conditioning and defense-first approach will affect the personnel that takes the court first and foremost. Whether or not they are a team of defensive specialists, they will put forth efforts, implement defensive schemes and play defense by committee. Just watching practices and interviews point a new attitude and a changing culture. Look for that to translate onto the court.

Byron Scott as an analyst noticed time and time again how players like Wesley Johnson and Jordan Hill were not used where they could be successful. Wes guarded power forwards and stayed around three point line. Hill saw fluctuation in playing time in favor of a stretch four. Bigs just were not used correctly. D’antoni force-fed run and gun offense on a team that needed to feed the ball down low to control tempo and keep teams from easy transition buckets. Expect the change in offense to put players in a position to be successful, decrease transition and increase paint points. Not as exciting as D’antoni but wins are much more fun.

The Return of Kobe and Nash. Funny how those words mean nothing to the pundits. There will be a huge increase in offensive production as well as more control of tempo. These guys are a step slower but there’s no doubt that this is a major upgrade.

Point Guard Position. The point guard position got much younger and faster. Jeremy Lin is not far removed from Linsanity. He brings an ability to create his own shot, get to the basket quickly and create shots for others. Nash will start but Lin will see plenty of minutes. The Lakers also managed to nab Ronnie Price and Jordan Clarkson who will both add more depth at that position and back up Nash. Needless to say, there is less likely of a chance for blow-bys on the perimeter with these younger, quicker point guard additions.

With the loss of Gasol, Lakers still managed to shore up the power forward/center position with future star Julius Randle, all-star forward Carlos Boozer and newly added Ed Davis. Scoring may have dipped but rebounding and paint protection took a major upgrade. Rob Sacre also can provide an effective 7-footer in spurts.

Look for a more controlled, organized, defensive-minded team that can rebound effectively. Look for a priceless mentorship from Nash, Kobe and Boozer that will show up on the court. Goran Dragic was a product of being under the tutelage of Steve Nash. Look for less transition by the other teams and increased post play.

Finally, look for a stunned panel of naysayers who placed the Lakers in the nba cellar. The Lakers Optimist said so.

Tags: Jeremy Lin, kobe bryant, lakers, nba, Steve Nash
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Lakers Training Camp Notes

October 4, 2014

Kobe and Nash look good in practice

After 4 days of training camp we are learning more about the 2014-2015 Lakers. Unfortunately, the Lakers will most likely start the season without Swaggy P (torn thumb ligament) and Ryan Kelly (stained hamstring). Xavier Henry is still dealing with back spasms.

However, Byron Scott is focused on conditioning, defense and mastery of the Princeton offense. Players are responding and an identity is forming slowly but surely. This is definitely a new day in Lakertown. Kobe said he’s never run that much in a practice his whole career. Byron insists that they will not lose by running out of gas in the 4th quarter.

Kobe and Nash are both looking like themselves according to reporters, coaches and players. The younger players seem very open to learning from veterans like Bryant, Nash and Boozer.

Players that have become favorites thus far include, Jordan Clarkson and Ronnie Price offensively and defensively.

It looks like the starting five will be Nash, Bryant, Johnson, Boozer and Hill. The bench is very competitive and up for grabs especially with Young out. Expect Wayne Ellington, Ronnie Price and Wes Johnson to see more minutes in Young’s absence as they try to manage Kobe’s minutes.

Scott’s first dilemma is settling on a rotation that will not include Swaggy P before their first pre-season game against the Denver Nuggets.

I believe a lot of questions will be answered in these 8 games. What I look for is the defensive rotations and rebounding ability. Last year’s ominous sign in pre-season was their inability to rebound. Also, we get a good look at Kobe and Nash in action and see the strengths and weaknesses of the starting lineup.

Lakers play Denver on Monday at 7pm Pacific on Timewarner Cable Sportsnet.

Tags: Byron Scott, kobe bryant, lakers, Steve Nash, Swaggy P
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