Image via WikipediaAlthough the Lakers are on the quest for their 4th straight Finals appearance and 3rd straight championship with much of their core in tact, don't be fooled in thinking that this is the same old Laker team from last season. Great draft picks and offseason acquisitions, an older veteran crew and injuries will reshape the Los Angeles Lakers for this upcoming NBA season.
Possibly the most important off-season acquisition was acquiring Steve Blake. For several years now, a veteran Derek Fisher received minimal assistance at the point from the bench. Sure, Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown supplied a few quick sparks here and there, but lacked consistency which ultimately put the Lakers in jeopardy. Combine this with Derek having a bad game and the Lakers lose, almost always. Steve Blake is a proven scorer and defender, and above all, has the high basketball IQ which is so crucial to Phil and the triangle offense. This new look Lakers will consist of Derek playing limited minutes in the regular season, possibly splitting time with Steve Blake and to some degree, Shannon Brown.
Matt Barnes brings intensity off of the bench for Kobe Bryant without having to worry about Sasha's gunslinging ways and poor decision making. Barnes is as close to a franchise role player as you can get. His defense, combined with Ron Artest, will pester and frustrate almost all of the NBA's strong perimeter players. He can also be counted on a solid 8 points per game. Furthermore, Kobe can rest his high mileage legs with confidence in maintaining or even extending the current lead. For once, Laker fans don't have to pray that "The Machine" has had an oil change prior to the game.
The new-look Lakers will involve Kobe Bryant playing less minutes, especially early in the season.
The 2010-2011 Los Angeles Lakers feature 5 new players, that means a little over one-third of their roster is new. With a combination of proven talent alongside strong projects, the Lakers have strengthened their bench.
The end result?
Look for this new-look Lakers to bring the same old championship back to Los Angeles.
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