The Los Angeles Lakers are 13 games into the 2010-2011 season and there have been many storylines in the young campaign.
The team started the season with an 8-0 record and is currently battling the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets for Western Conference supremacy.
The Lakers are 11-2 due to the MVP-type play of Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. The team’s two main-stars were expected to play great in the absence of Andrew Bynum, but many other reserves are also stepping up and having great seasons.
Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom have impressed the coaches and fans with their much improved play in the early season.
The Lakers are off to a great start and the players are working very well together.
Lets’ look at these Lakers and give each player a grade for their performance in the young 2010-2011 season.
Next: The Leaders
PAU GASOL
The seven-foot Spaniard has perhaps been the MVP of the team thus far this season; Pau Gasol has stepped up in the absence of Andrew Bynum and has been a dominant force.
Gasol is averaging 22.4 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game thus far this season, and is playing close to 40 minutes every contest.
Every one knew Gasol was a skilled big-man before he came to the Lakers, but once he was traded to Los Angeles he took a back-seat to Kobe Bryant. However, Gasol is finally asserting his will and is arguable the MVP of the Lakers this season.
Pau Gasol has been a dominant player and has been a key part to the Lakers’ success. In the early part of the season, Gasol has deserved an “A+.”
KOBE BRYANT
It is hard to put in words the influence Kobe Bryant has on the Los Angeles Lakers, as a sports writer the hardest aspect of writing is figuring out a way to describe Kobe in a way no else has done.
Another season is under Kobe’s belt, and now he is playing in his 15th NBA Season.
Bryant is going to put up numbers, and nobody has any doubt that he will drop at least 23 points per game.
However, Kobe has been hitting the boards and has been dishing the ball very well.
He is averaging 26.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game.
However, Kobe Bryant has had some games where he would put up 24 points but would take 24 shots to get there. Taking in consideration is poor shooting percentage in a few games, Kobe Bryant has deserved an “A” for his play in the young season.
Next: The Other Starters
DEREK FISHER
Derek Fisher is a consummate professional and his efforts do not show up in the box score. Fisher hits timely threes and makes big defense plays down the stretches of game. This season, the Lakers made it a priority to rest Fisher and play Steve Blake instead.
Derek Fisher is averaging a mere 8.6 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game. Based on his performance in the first 13 games, Derek Fisher has earned a solid “B.”
RON ARTEST
Ron Artest is the defensive maestro on the Los Angeles Lakers, and it no longer known as the offensive player as he once was. Artest has brought a type of aggressiveness and tenacity to the Lakers, and has been a fan favorite from the moment he signed with the Lakers. This season, Artest is doing what he did last year—play defense and take shots when open.
Artest is averaging 9.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game. Ron Artest has not done anything extraordinarily great or extraordinarily bad this season, which has earned him a “B+.”
LAMAR ODOM
Lamar Odom has been playing some of the best basketball he has played in his entire career. After playing in the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey, Odom has gained valuable experience and his confidence has sky-rocketed.
Odom has been placed in the starting five due to the injury of Andrew Bynum, and he as seized the opportunity. Lamar Odom has been a double-double machine and is playing like an all-star 13 games into the season.
Odom is averaging 14.6 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game. The Lakers would not be 11-2 if it were not for the efforts of Lamar Odom, and he has deserved an “A” for his play.
Next: The Killer “Bs”
STEVE BLAKE
Steve Blake made an immediate impact on the Lakers, as he hit the game winning shot on opening night. Blake is a solid point guard and is playing valuable minutes for the Lakers–the more minutes Blake plays, the less minutes Derek Fisher has to play.
Although Blake is not averaging a high number of assists, but he is still an upgrade for the Lakers from Jordan Farmar. Blake is averaging 5.8 points per game, 1.3 rebounds per game and 1.9 assists per game.
On top of that, he is shooting close to 50% from the three point line, and has been given a “B+” for his play.
SHANNON BROWN
Shannon Brown came into the season looking to prove to the world that he is more than just a highflyer and dunker. Brown has excited the crowd with his insane leaping abilities and multiple facial on opposing players. However, he is now winning the fans over with his stellar shooting and clutch plays.
Shannon Brown is averaging 10.7 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game and 1.0 assist per game.
Brown is making his early season case for both Most Improved Player and also Sixth Man of the Year.
Brown has been very impressive this season and has earned a solid “A.”
MATT BARNES
Matt Barnes brings more toughness and feistiness to the Lakers, and is know for his never-back-down attitude.
Barnes has been playing great basketball and has brought great play off the bench for the Lakers.
One game Barnes will take up the scoring load, while in other game he will grab 10+ rebounds.
Barnes is averaging 9.4 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per game.
His solid play and his perfect game on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves has earned Barnes a “B.”
Next: The Rookies
DERRICK CARACTER
Derrick Caracter has not played many minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers, which is expected on a veteran championship team. Caracter has played a total of 70 minutes in 10 games, and has averaged 3.1 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game.
There is not much to say about the rookie, and his limited play has earned him a “C.”
DEVIN EBANKS
The other rookie on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster is Devin Ebanks, an athletic and exciting young man.
Ebanks has also seen limited minutes on the court, since he’s backing up Ron Artest and Matt Barnes
Ebanks is averaging 2.4 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game; his minimal play has earned him a low “D.”
Next: The Others ANDREW BYNUM
Andrew Bynum has not played a single minute this season, and is expected to start playing around Christmas time.
For his efforts on the bench and his valuable high-fives to his teammates Bynum has earned an “A,” for his zero minutes on the court he has earned a “F.”
THEO RATLIFF
Theo Ratliff is an old NBA player, at the age of 37, and has not produced much for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ratliff is averaging 1.6 rebounds per game and less than one point and one assist per game.
To make it worse, Ratliff is currently injured and will be out for four-to-six weeks. So Theo Ratliff your grade for the season thus far is— a “D-.”
SASHA VUJACIC
The Machine has not had a very productive season, and has been in Phil Jackson’s “Doghouse” for a while.
Sasha Vujacic is averaging 2.1 point per game and under one assist and one rebound per contest. For his less than spectacular play, Vujacic deserves a “D.”
LUKE WALTON
Luke Walton has been plagued with injuries for most of last season, and has not been 100% for this season. Walton has been subbed in for a few games, but he has not been very productive.
Walton has earned a “D-” for his less-than flashy numbers