New Look for the Lakers

With two early playoff exits, the last two seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers have been relatively disappointing. There has been much talk about whether Kobe Bryant is too old and if the Lakers should trade their All Star Center Andrew Bynum or Former All Star Power Forward Pau Gasol.

Well those conversations are over, and this past off-season the Lakers’ GM Mitch Kupchak pulled off two blockbuster trades. The Lakers have added Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks, and Dwight Howard to their roster.

The key in all of these acquisitions that were made is that they were able to do this without trading Pau Gasol, and they still have arguably one of the best players in the league.

NBA Analyst Steven A. Smith believes that the Lakers are the second best team in the Western Conference, which still says a lot due to the fact that the Western Conference is a very tough conference to come out of victoriously.

Although Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant are older players now and Pau Gasol is not too far behind them, they still also have some youth and athleticism with Centers Dwight Howard, Jordan Hill, and newly added Shooting Guard Jodie Meeks.

Magic Johnson, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard, has recently stated on ESPN Radio that the acquisition of Dwight Howard “puts the Lakers as the team to beat.”

This newly formed “Super Team” has the league debating whether they can beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat, and fulfill their goal of winning another NBA Championship.
With Kobe Bryant’s determination, Steve Nash’ basketball IQ, Dwight Howard’s athleticism, and Pau Gasol’s versatility, they have formed a “Fantastic Four.”

Senior Adrian Hernandez follows basketball very closely. “They are going to win it all,” he said. Hernandez believes they are too good of a team. His thoughts are not too far off since statistically, the Lakers will be much better than they were last season.

According to espn.com, Dwight Howard led the league in rebounding last year by averaging 20.6 points 14.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Steve Nash was second in the league in assists per game, and he also shot 43 percent from behind the arc, which is a great bonus due to the lack of 3 point shooters the Lakers have had in the past years.

Senior David Kaisa has a strong opinion regarding this new Lakers team. “Heck yeah, [the Lakers will win] they are God’s team,” he said.

It seems as though many people are very interested to see what will happen this coming season, and the majority of basketball fans would love to see the current NBA Champions, The Miami Heat, face off against the new look Los Angeles Lakers in what would turn out to be an NBA Finals classic.

Until then we will just have to wait and see.