Written by: Brian Chettanapanich
After the 2009 championship season, the only change the Los Angeles Lakers made was to add Ron Artest and lose Trevor Ariza. This off-season has been full of surprises. The Lakers have shaken their roster up once again. Steve Blake was the first Laker addition. The Lakers also negotiated with Derek Fisher to make sure he stayed in LA and locked up the point guard depth position.
Jordan Farmar made a exit to New Jersey and signed a 3 year deal worth up to $12 million dollars. Josh Powell also recently had an agreement with the Atlanta Hawks. As for Laker fans, we should thank them for the efforts they made to lead our team to these repeat years.
Other than those two leaving, Adam Morrison has been getting much attention from teams like Boston or Chicago and DJ Mbenga is expected to sign with a new team. Shannon Brown is still up in the air and has yet to negotiate with the Lakers.
This off-season has been arguably one of the better ones for the Los Angeles Lakers. They are making much noise without really making many moves. They have currently signed three free-agent players and have two rookies who have had good performances in the summer league, showing great potential. After signing Steve Blake, here’s a look at the other new Los Angeles Lakers.
Next: Matt Barnes
Hate him or love him, Matt Barnes is now a Laker.
But let me tell you Laker fans something, there’s always room for forgiveness. I bet most of us remember Barnes for trying to fake Kobe out with an inbound pass. To be honest, to this very day I do not know HOW Kobe did NOT flinch at that! Other than that incident with Kobe, Barnes also has been in previous occurrence with a few other NBA players.
As for basketball fans, Matt Barnes can be easily be labeled as a “dirty” player. That stigma on Barnes should be changed once he puts on that Laker uniform. It’s simple to say that Barnes wants a ring. Now.
The true journeyman has gone through 7 different NBA teams in 8 seasons. The former UCLA Bruin settled a contract with the Lakers for a 2 year deal which will pay him $3.6 million total. He had his best year two seasons ago playing for the Phoenix Suns. I know some Laker fans are disappointed that the team didn’t get Raja Bell, but Barnes was a smarter and all-around better move for LA. Barnes is the tough guy the Lakers need.
Since there’s a chance Luke Walton might miss the whole season due to a back injury, Barnes will be filling in his minutes. He’ll also play behind Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest to provide the defense, three-point threat, and energy off the bench.
Barnes will bring the scrappy, hustle plays for the Lakers. For Los Angeles to fill their bench with viable players is significant to make a run at a three-peat next season. Matt brings the versatility to the bench and brings the adrenaline energy off the bench. For his role in the Lakers, he’ll pretty much be a “Ron Artest” in light mode. His field goal percentage throughout his career has been solid at 44%, with a three-point percentage at 33%.
It seems as if anyone who signs with the Lakers suddenly changes their bad habits. Artest is an example of someone who has thrown his thuggish actions out the window to focus on winning for the Lakers. Though Ron Ron was close to landing a punch on David West last season, he held back at the last second realizing what it could cost him.
I don’t know what it is, either the city life, history of the franchise, or playing with arguably the best player and coach in the game; Laker players always seem professional. I believe Phil Jackson is the biggest asset to keeping everyone on the roster on the same page and a mind set to win. Once Barnes plays under Jackson’s brilliant coaching and the flow of the offense, Matt will fit with the team.
Next: Theo Ratliff
Next comes Theo Ratliff. The veteran center is going into his 16th NBA season with an impressive resume behind him. Ratliff was always known to be a force on the defensive side of the court. Blocking shots and clearing boards was his major role. At the age of 37, he is one of the top 10 oldest players in the league today behind Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Kurt Thomas, and former Laker center, Shaquille O’Neal.
Ratliff actually had a chance to start last season for the Charlotte Bobcats in 26 games where he average around 5 points, 4 boards, and 1.5 blocks per game. 1.5 blocks from a 36 year old center playing nearly 22 minutes a game deserves significant recognition. In his Laker interview, he says “my role doesn’t change, I’m noted for being the defensive stopper”.
These two key additions will obviously bring a strong defensive stance for the Lakers. With the addition of Barnes, he’ll bring a body on quicker two-guards or forwards like Paul Pierce or LeBron James. His ability to get up and down the court quick will benefit in the fast pace game the Lakers have developed through the years.
Ratliff will prove once again how and why he is known for his shot blocking days in Philly and Portland. The last two seasons, the bench consisted of young players like Josh Powell, Jordan Farmar, and Shannon Brown. Now that the Lakers signed Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff the veteran IQ comes into play for LA.
If the Lakers re-sign Shannon their starting bench will consist of Blake, Brown, Barnes, Odom, and Ratliff. The Los Angeles Lakers probably will have one of the better bench rosters than most teams in the league. Don’t forget, the two drafted rookies who impressed in summer league are also expected to make the Lakers roster this year as well.
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