Los Angeles Lakers need to cover their bases – NBA Feature Part-2
The key reason behind it is that the Lakers cannot rehash the whole team. Sure, if they bring in a good point guard and rope in Howard, they will be mighty strong, but they need to polish their already existing resources. Among
those resources Ron Artest, Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks stand out. These are the players for the future; ones with enormous talent just waiting to be explored.
Ron Artest is as unpredictable on the court as he is off it. However, with all his eccentricity, one thing always remains a constant. He is persistent, uncompromising and specializes in making life difficult for the players of
the opposing team.
However, the 31 year old failed to grasp the team’s philosophy in the last season and couldn’t repeat his 2010 performance, in which he was pivotal in the title run. Last season, Artest average scoring remained at 8.5 points per
game which was even way below than his career average.
His performances left the Lakers exposed at the small forward position last season and with just one year left in his contract with the Lakers; there have been voices to replace him with either Matt Barnes or Devin Ebanks.
Barnes is more famous because of his off court issues rather than his play. The 6 ft. 7 is the age fellow of Artest, but his average career is way below than Ron (7.2 points per game). Barnes has never performed with consistency,
which was the major reason why he couldn’t stick with any NBA team for a long time throughout his career.
His recent brawl at a pickup game has tarnished his reputation further and if the Lakers go for him, they will certainly take a chance.
This leaves Ebanks behind. He is just 21 years old, but although inexperienced he has the energy and the athleticism to succeed at the highest level. Prior to joining the NBA, Ebanks played with the West Virginia University. With
Virginia, in 2009-10 season Ebanks scoring average was 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Ebanks also has an advantage of height over Barnes. He stands at 6 ft 9 and is also better on the glass. On the paper, Ebanks surely is the best option for the Lakers at the moment, as he possesses the intrinsic worth to take over
the job from Artest, but that doesn’t mean Los Angeles should get rid of Artest.
Although Ebanks has the talent and skill, but he lacks experience therefore he requires a mentor, who could guide him in the right direction. That mentor is Artest, who can teach the youngster tips and tricks of the trade, in order
to boost his play.
However, if they trade Barnes, they could land another option. This will not only get them a new player ready to make it big, but will also rid them of a player, who finds it difficult to adjust to the team discipline.
Coming at the power forward and the shooting guard positions, with Kobe and Gasol around, the Lakers have their hands full, at least for the next three to four years.
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