Editor’s note: This is the 19th of Sam Amico’s look at all 30 NBA teams heading into the 2013-14 season.
Coach: Mike D’Antoni (12th season overall, 428-371)
Last season: 45-37, lost to San Antonio in first round of playoffs.
Projected starters: C Pau Gasol; PF Shawne Williams; SF Nick Young; SG Kobe Bryant (when healthy); PG Steve Nash.
Key reserves: PG Steve Blake; C Chris Kaman; SG Jodie Meeks; PF Jordan Hill; SG Xavier Henry; C Robert Sacre; PG Jordan Farmar; PF Ryan Kelly (r); G/F Wesley Johnson.
New faces: Williams, Kaman, Henry, Farmar, Kelly, Johnson, F Elias Harris (r).
Scouting the Lakers
A lot of folks around the league seem to feel the Lakers have a good shot to be better without All-Star center Dwight Howard, who bolted for Houston. … That’s because D’Antoni prefers his offense play at a breakneck speed. Having someone glued to the low block (such as Howard) may have been a hindrance. …
Of course, any chance at actual success starts with how quickly Bryant returns from Achilles’ surgery. … Bryant has never faced this much skepticism, as he also turned 35 years old in August. …
Clearly, the Lakers will suffer defensively without the strength and shot-altering ability of Howard. But D’Antoni is a master at forcing other teams to try to produce as many points as his, as opposed to getting all worked up over lockdown defense. …
Nash isn’t the same point guard who made 3-point extraordinaires out of the likes of Quentin Richardson and Jimmy Jackson years ago in Phoenix, but he still knows the offense and runs it well. … His job will be to open things up beyond the arc for Young, Meeks, Johnson and others. …It’s a lot to ask of a guard at the age of 39. …
Gasol will receive lots of opportunities to run the floor and finish, as well as get baskets inside via sharp cuts. … That could be easier without Howard occasionally standing in Gasol’s way. …
Hill is a true energy player who can score if opponents forget about him. He and Williams may rotate in and out of the starting lineup all season, based on matchups. …
Blake might have to fill in at shooting guard until Bryant returns. It’s not Blake’s natural position, but he knows how to get open from either backcourt spot. … But even when Bryant returns, Blake will need to be more consistent. …
Kaman was a nice find, and if he stays healthy, is the type of skilled big man who could destroy opposing second units. …But like the rest of this team, there’s a chance he’s a little too plodding to be overly successful in such an up-tempo system. …
While the Lakers’ bench isn’t horrific, it is fairly unproven. D’Antoni will count on his system, perhaps more than at any other time in his career, to hide any shortcomings.
Prediction: 47-35.
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Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
