The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a franchise that is dedicated to putting together a championship quality team. Although opponents are always a little envious of how the Lakers assemble their teams, the front office will never allow outside chatter to impact their moves.
The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the Lakers’ Western Conference rivals and those two teams often have battles when they play each other. Mavs owner Mark Cuban is not afraid to voice his opinion and he is always ready to speak out on the Lakers. Cuban was one of the owners who complained to NBA Commissioner David Stern when the Lakers acquired Chris Paul, and he played a big role in canceling that trade. However, now that Cuban cannot tell Stern to veto the Lakers’ additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, he will use the media to criticize the Lakers. Sporting News repored on Cuban’s latest rant on the Lakers and how he is not sure they can make things work.
“The Lakers have done this before,” Cuban said. “Remember Gary Payton, Karl Malone and Kobe and Shaq were all together, and it didn’t work.
“It takes great chemistry, like coach (Rick Carlisle) alluded to, it takes guys wanting to be there — I don’t know if all their guys want to be there — it’s going to be interesting.”
When the Lakers put together their star studded team in 2003-04, there was already tension between Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson. The players were looking forward to the Finals before the season started and some got the feeling that the Lakers were putting in the work to prepare for the Finals.
However, on this team, the chemistry seems to be on point and the players have all expressed their desire to win. Steve Nash may be in his late thirties, but he is determined to put in the work to get his first title. Kobe is on the same page as coach Mike Brown and Pau Gasol, a bond that is needed in order to make a strong run.
The biggest question mark is with Dwight Howard and if he will be able to produce for the Lakers. However, Howard’s reputation took a blow this past season, and you can be sure he is ready to prove his doubters wrong with a stellar 2012-13 campaign.
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In case you missed it – Dwight Howard talks about starting over in Los Angeles.
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