Is there a need for drastic changes at the Los Angeles Lakers? – NBA Featured Report
That is the question on the mind of every Los Angeles Lakers fan ever since Magic Johnson suggested that the franchise should try and prize Dwight Howard away from the Orlando Magic. The matter was further brought into prominence when the Lakers got brutally swept away by Dallas Mavericks in the second round of playoffs – a debacle that ended Phil Jackson’s momentous coaching career on a low.
So, will Dwight Howard instantly make any NBA team much, much better?
Yes, Period.
However, that is not to say that the Lakers indeed need that injection of vociferous talent.
Let us examine the shortcomings and the plus points of this Los Angeles outfit in order to decide whether an overhaul is required or not.
Kobe Bryant is still at the heart of the team and he is still one of the top 3 players in the NBA, by any ones standards. His ability and experience alone make the Lakers a formidable outfit. And there is no denying the fact that Kobe is still surrounded by a talented supporting cast.
Pau Gasol didn’t cover himself in glory this post season, but he is without a doubt an elite NBA power forward, one who was named on the All NBA second team. His one bad post season should not cloud the fact that the vast majority of NBA teams would want the player on their roster on any given day.
And then there is Andrew Bynum, who keeps growing in stature with every season. He has already developed into one of the most dominant forces on the defensive end at his position and is more than capable of producing the goods on offense when required. Ron Artest is capable enough and Lamar Odom was named the NBA sixth man of the year last season.
The veteran Derek Fisher was the only one exposed this past season for his lack of ability. Fisher has been a loyal and consistent performer for the franchise over the years, but this post season made it abundantly clear that his legs are gone. Fisher is perhaps the only player of the Lakers starters that is a liability at times. So is that reason enough for the major trades being mentioned in many circles?
This is a team that made it to three NBA Finals in a row. They won two of them back to back before losing out to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round this season. The Lakers are still probably the most talented and balanced team around the league.
Lest we forget, they were the favourites to win the NBA title when the playoffs began. What went wrong with the Lakers was not due to a lack of ability of the players at their disposal. Rather, the trouble came in the application of the talents and in the chemistry between the players.
Los Angeles Lakers only need some tweaking at the point guard position and have already made some progress in that department by picking two point guards at this year’s draft.
However, the most important change the Lakers could make is one they have already made.
That is at the position of head coach.
Mike Brown has been brought in, notably against the wishes of Kobe Bryant. But it is Brown, who could end up being the difference between the Lakers lacklustre effort last season and a real push for the NBA title next time around.
The two things that the Lakers need to change the most are their intensity on defence and the commitment or motivation level of their players. Both of these can only come through the coach. Brown has a proven track record of defensive accomplishments, so he should be trusted to turn things around in that category.
If he can also somehow freshen up the mood in the locker room, get the players united and motivated, this Lakers squad can still be a very genuine contender to the NBA World Championship for at least a couple more years.
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