With a 9-12 record and 11th place standing in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t as intimidating as they once were after the acquisitions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.
The combination of Howard and Nash joining Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol was thought to result in an instant title contender right out of the gate for Los Angeles, but much has changed since the off-season filled with blockbuster moves for the Lakers.
Fortunately, only 21 games have been played up to this point and 19 of them have been without Nash leading the way at the point guard position. The team has been banged up all season long while trying to learn not one, but two different offensive systems over the course of these first 21 games.
Mike Brown’s decision to implement the Princeton offense fell flat and it appears that Mike D’Antoni might be following in his footsteps in terms of getting his offense to flow consistently. A big drawback for D’Antoni has been the absence of Nash, but that might be a problem of the past with the two-time NBA MVP apparently nearing his return to the floor.
At this point in time, there’s a lot riding on the return of Nash as it may ultimately result in the trading of Gasol. If Nash isn’t able to make an considerable impact and help Gasol get more acclimated to the new offense, the Lakers may very well trade away the two-time NBA champion for a players more suitable to fit D’Antoni’s needs on the floor.
Along with Gasol’s future up in the air in terms of trade talk, the Spaniard has also been rumored to be coming off the bench once he returns from suffering from tendinitis in both knees. Apparently, that isn’t the case with D’Antoni claiming he’s got no intention of making such a move.
It’ll be interesting to see whether or not this team filled with superstar-caliber talent can turn things around once Gasol and Nash return to the floor. If not, heads will roll starting with Gasol heading elsewhere.
Lakers Nation News
Why Steve Nash Is So Important To Building Lakers’ Progress
Kobe And Dwight Partnership: Unsteady At First, But Built To Last
NBA News: Staples Center Names One Of Best NBA Arenas
NBA Power Rankings Week 7: Lakers Continue To Decline While It’s Crowded At The Top
Lakers Fall Again, Suffer Embarrassing Loss To Jazz At Staples
Dwight Howard Staying Patient With Lakers’ Slow Start
Sending Pau Gasol To The Bench The Best Idea? Not Exactly
Kobe Bryant Trash Talk Leads To Hyper-Motivated Thunder
Report: Lakers Considering Bringing Pau Gasol Off Bench
Lakers News
The Numbers Say The Lakers Are Doing A Lot Right, Just Not Winning [LA Times]
Lakers: Week 7 Predictions [LA Times]
‘Lakers Defense’ Remains A Contradiction In Terms In Latest Loss [LA Times]
For Lakers, It’s Not About Who’s Missing, It’s About What’s Missing [LA Times]
Pau Gasol To Keep Starting Job, At Least Initially [LA Times]
Lakers Give Utah Little Resistance In Loss [OC Register]
D’Antoni Says Lakers Must Put Pride On Line [OC Register]
Long Trip East Could Help Lakers Bond [OC Register]
A Kingdom At War [Silver Screen and Roll]
Final Score: Jazz Pound Struggling Lakers, 117-110 [Silver Screen and Roll]
Trudell: Steve Nash Ramping Up Work Outs [Silver Screen and Roll]
GIF: Jack Nicholson Disgusted With Lakers [Silver Screen and Roll]
UTAH 117, LAKERS 110: Different Act, Same Losing Result For L.A. [LA Daily News]
LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Steve Nash Not Likely To Play On Trip [LA Daily News]
Lakers Defensive Problems Include Kobe Bryant [Forum Blue & Gold]
Report: Kobe Bryant Talked Trash, Led To Motivated Thunder Team [Sports City]
NBA News
Wizards’ John Wall Still Weeks Away From Practicing [Sports City]
Hawks’ Smith And Clippers’ Griffin Named NBA Players Of The Week [Sports City]
Ex-Heat Player Eddie House Still Hoping To Get Back To The NBA [Sports City]
Report: Cavs’ Kyrie Irving To Make Return Tuesday Against Lakers [Sports City]
Andrew Bynum Says He Expects To Play This Year But Right Now Feels Pain Walking [Pro Basketball Talk]
Hornets’ Anthony Davis Practices, Could Play Tuesday [Pro Basketball Talk]
NBA Sports And Yahoo Sports Teamed Up In New Deal [Pro Basketball Talk]
Tony Parker Says Jeremy Lin Reminds Him Of A Young Tony Parker [Pro Basketball Talk]
Southeast Showdown [SB Nation]
Spurs, Thunder Own The NBA [SB Nation]
Kyrie Is Back [SB Nation]
Embrace The Chaos [SB Nation]
Brooklyn’s Awful Defense [SB Nation]
