The Champions, The Los Angeles Lakers Improve With Addition of Ron Artest
Posted by | Posted on 2:13 AM
The L.A. Lakers won another NBA championship in 09'. This proved to be extra special most will say for Kobe Bryant because this is first championship since 02' - more importantly the first without Shaquille O'Neal.
Kobe Bryant proved that the Los Angeles Lakers didn't need Shaquille O'Neal to win an NBA title. He did have the help of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom (two big men), but they're not Shaquille O'Neal in his prime.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
Lamar Odom was - and maybe still is - one of the most inconsistent good players in the NBA. There are some games Odom was a top 5 player and other times you wouldn't even notice him on the court.
Ron Artest, having come to LA by way of Houston, is one of the great defenders in the game of basketball, and a strong force on offense too. He's said to be responsible for much of Houston's success during the past two seasons, and his presence in LA bolsters an already strong roster. His veteran experience should feed well into the culture in Los Angeles, and many believe that the Lakers should run away from the competition this season.
The Lakers are looking to repeat this season - their chances are very good. The last time a team repeated as champions were the Lakers 01' & 02'.
It's hard to repeat as champions in professional sports because players get hurt and more trades happen now then ever before. The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and he is playing at an elite level.
Then there's the x-factor, of course. The signing of Ron Artest, one of the best defensive players in basketball. Artest will turn 31, making for a well aged team that has the physical prowess and the knowledge to do anything a team is capable of doing. The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to repeat entering the season.
Kobe Bryant proved that the Los Angeles Lakers didn't need Shaquille O'Neal to win an NBA title. He did have the help of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom (two big men), but they're not Shaquille O'Neal in his prime.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
Lamar Odom was - and maybe still is - one of the most inconsistent good players in the NBA. There are some games Odom was a top 5 player and other times you wouldn't even notice him on the court.
Ron Artest, having come to LA by way of Houston, is one of the great defenders in the game of basketball, and a strong force on offense too. He's said to be responsible for much of Houston's success during the past two seasons, and his presence in LA bolsters an already strong roster. His veteran experience should feed well into the culture in Los Angeles, and many believe that the Lakers should run away from the competition this season.
The Lakers are looking to repeat this season - their chances are very good. The last time a team repeated as champions were the Lakers 01' & 02'.
It's hard to repeat as champions in professional sports because players get hurt and more trades happen now then ever before. The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and he is playing at an elite level.
Then there's the x-factor, of course. The signing of Ron Artest, one of the best defensive players in basketball. Artest will turn 31, making for a well aged team that has the physical prowess and the knowledge to do anything a team is capable of doing. The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to repeat entering the season.
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