Are the expectations and goals as high as last season? Certainly not.
However, I personally feel that the level of play will be significantly improved, and the season will be more pleasant overall.
First of all, I don’t think many have the Lakers pinned as championship contenders for next season, as almost everybody did last season.
In that sense, when the Lakers don’t hit 60+ wins, it won’t be a shock to anyone. Similarly, the losing streaks won’t be nearly as frustrating as they were last season.
Now, on to the brighter side of things.
The Lakers should be a much more cohesive unit. Where they often looked like a collection of players thrown on the court together last season with no chemistry, they’ll likely fit better together next season.
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Additionally, barring a ridiculously injury-laden season–one filled with more injuries than last season, which is nearly impossible–the Lakers should be a healthier bunch.
More specifically, if Pau Gasol’s knees improved after surgery over the summer and Steve Nash can stay relatively healthy, the team should have much more cohesion and the offense should be much more fluid. Kobe Bryant’s recovery is certainly the biggest concern when it comes to health, but fans can take comfort in the fact that the Black Mamba is doing everything in his power to come back at an elite level.
Injuries certainly played a part last season when it came to consistency (or lack thereof) on the floor, but age played a factor when it came to “bringing it” every single night.
While the Lakers’ core players of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash will be 35, 39, and 33 when the season starts, respectively, management has managed to infuse some youth in the forms of Nick Young (28), Jordan Farmar (26), and Wesley Johnson (26).
The versatility of Young and Johnson should allow Kobe Bryant to take his time recovering, and hopefully keep Kobe on the bench for a couple extra minutes per game when he does return–which was a huge problem last season. Adding Chris Kaman (31) will aide Pau Gasol as well, hopefully keeping him relatively fresh for the duration of the season.
The overall attitude and enthusiasm of the team should be much better as well, as all four players took less money to sign with the Lakers and genuinely are excited to put on purple and gold jerseys.
A full training camp should also benefit the Lakers, as Mike D’Antoni will be able to fully install his principles from the start, and the additions that have been made so far this offseason have given the coach players that fit his system.
Next Page: How The System Will Work Out Better
Steve Nash, if healthy, will be able to freestyle like he did in Phoenix, and Steve Blake will be able to build on the high level of play he displayed towards the end of last season. Jordan Farmar will likely benefit from the system as well.
As far as Kobe Bryant, while he and Dwight Howard couldn’t figure out how to playtogether, Kobe and Nash seemed to really play well together and communicated constantly in an effort to continually improve as a unit. I expect this relationship based on mutual respect to only grow and become the foundation for plenty of highlight worthy plays.
Now, while the Lakers’ defense wasn’t great last season, it likely won’t be any better in the coming season–at least not on paper. While many either wanted Dwight Howard to leave or could care less either way, he was still a defensive presence for the Lakers and at times was their only defense.
Losing that kind of defensive force will certainly create a liability on that end of the floor. However, while none of the new players are necessarily known as exceptional defensive players, the biggest element of defense is will. Will coupled with youth could actually translate into better overall team defense than last season. Simply put, age was a huge factor in the Lakers’ inability to play consistent, solid defense last season, and adding a bit of youth could help.
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The toughest part will be instilling in the younger players the hunger to play defense when they’re likely more elated about the fact of having a “green light” on offense, in a sense. Jordan Farmar’s statement of focusing primarily on defense should be a good way to start implementing that mindset.
He could certainly help compensate for the lack of defensive prowess, in that sense.
All in all, while fans may be disappointed that the Lakers’ expectations aren’t to win a title this season, we should all be encouraged that the team put on the floor next season in a “transitional period” could actually be marginally successful and exciting.
Many are writing the Lakers off as first round exits or as not even making it to the playoffs. I personally think that if healthy, getting solid position in the standings and making it to the second round isn’t entirely out of the question. Not to mention, we as fans have Mitch Kupchak on our side and never know what he has up his sleeve.
Nonetheless, I’m willing to bet the Lakers have a much better season than last year; one filled with excitement, inspired victories, and hope for the future of the franchise.
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