After the Lakers flamed out against the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s playoffs, many pundits questioned whether or not this batch of Lakers had already seen their most productive days.
One such Laker doesn’t think so.
Ron Artest, who has been one of the few Lakers players to actually make headlines this summer, told Stephen A. Smith’s that the Lakers will get back to the promised land next season.
When Smith asked Artest how the Lakers would fare in the upcoming season, assuming it takes place, the newly christened Metta World Peace made a bold statement.
“Win it all. Win the whole thing. That’s a guarantee.”
This is certainly pleasing news for Lakers fans who felt that an overall lack of effort may have contributed to the disappointing sweep at the hands of the eventual NBA champions last May.
However, things are certainly different in Los Angeles as the upcoming season approaches. The Lakers are looking at life without Phil Jackson for the first time in a decade. (Other than the season he missed in 2005.) There is also the possibility that the new collective bargaining agreement may contain such roadblocks as a hard salary cap, which would throw a wrench into the Lakers roster movements.
Other than guaranteeing world championships, Artest has spent his summer changing his name and agreeing to participate in Dancing with the Stars.
