Topic: Coming into training camp, which Lakers player has the most to prove?
Context: Many experts and prognosticators have not been kind to the Los Angeles Lakers this off-season. Whether it is talking about individual players or the entire team, the Lakers have acquired many doubters coming into this season.
With veteran players coming off of major injuries, guys coming off of subpar seasons, young players who haven’t had the opportunity to break out, players looking to build on excellent seasons, or rookies just trying to make it in the NBA, just about every single Laker has something to prove.
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But this could make the Lakers a very dangerous team.
Great players love to prove doubters wrong and these Lakers are full of those types of players. Kobe Bryant has made a career out of proving people wrong, but he has some company this year.
Steve Nash and Carlos Boozer must prove they still have something left in the tank. Nick Young, Jordan Hill and Ryan Kelly have to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. Wesley Johnson, Ed Davis and Xavier Henry have to prove that they are legitimate NBA players. The list goes on down the entire roster.
But which player comes into this season with the most to prove?
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the loyal Lakers Nation followers, which player has the most to prove coming into training camp? These are some of the responses:
@LakersNation Kobe of course. Coming back from two injuries… #LNDebate
— Ollie V (@O_Ree_Ba) September 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation would have to say #Boozer former all star, amnestied by bulls, only went for 3M per after making max prior
— Steven Anthoney Kirk (@StevenKirk_OH) September 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Wesley Johnson, I saw flashes of his potential last season now he has to prove he can do it consistently #LNdebate
— Eliseo Rodriguez (@erodnuera) September 27, 2014
Steve Nash #LNDebate, being that it's possibly his last, still a lot of things he did not accomplish…
— DounaldTrump (@DouHefner) September 27, 2014
#LNDebate Boozer, we need alot from him on both sides of the ball, mainly DEFENSE #LakersNation #LakersFamRT #lakerscamp
— EL JEFÉ (@TS_Lamar) September 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation training camp? I'd say Jordan Hill and Wesley Johnson, both had some inconsistencies last season. #LNDebate
— A_G_S (@moreTEEGOplzz) September 27, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation randle by far. People doubting him already # LNDebate
— Christopher Cardoza (@_ccMore) September 27, 2014
A lot of different answers on this one with Kobe, Hill and Boozer all getting multiple votes, but Wesley Johnson seemed to be the most consistent answer, and I have to agree with the fans.
Johnson has all of the physical tools you look for in a wing player, but while nearly every other wing or guard had a career year last season, Johnson had some extremely low lows, and even found himself out of the rotation late in the year, despite the Lakers roster being decimated with injuries.
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With very few true small forwards, Johnson will likely get the chance to start next to Kobe Bryant and with the emphasis being on defense this season, Byron Scott will put a lot on his plate. It will be up to him to prove he can handle it, and can be an NBA-level defensive stopper.
[divide]Lakers GM Kupchak On Kobe, Steve Nash And Championship Expecations
