2008 Los Angeles Lakers Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 9, 2008 by Luke Knight

There are a lot of questions about the Lakers coming into the season, but pretty much none of them have to do with how good they are as a basketball team. The only one really is whether they are quitters or mentally tough enough to win. Coach Phil Jackson is a proven winner, and the Lakers started the season last year as a better than average team and ended as the runner-up to the Celtics. Phil Jackson got outcoached by Doc Rivers in the championship game last season, but that isn’t to say it will happen every time. Keep reading to find out if we think the Lakers will return to glory and capture the title. The Lakers are +125 to win the Western Conference at BetUS.

Derek Fisher excels at getting the team into its triangle offense. He also is a veteran with excellent leadership and takes some of the pressure off Kobe Bryant. It is true that he showed signs of age playing against Rajon Rondo, who is extremely quick. Jordan Farmar will backup Fisher. Farmar has impressed Jackson but not Owner Jerry Buss. Farmar averaged 9.1 points per game, while Fisher averaged 11.7. The Lakers should be just fine at the point position this season as long as Fisher stays healthy.

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. He now has his very own MVP trophy finally also. Bryant averaged 28.3 points per game, 5.4 assists, and 6.3 rebounds in 38.9 minutes. Bryant is most effective when he moves to the wing and plays behind the defense. The Lakers didn’t really get Bryant any more help from last season, which many think he desperately needs based on the championship series. Bryant also played up to the championship series then spent the summer playing in the Olympics so wear and tear could be a factor this season. Sasha Vujacic will be Bryant’s backup again, but has also shown a knack for knocking down shots while playing beside Bryant when Jackson goes for a three-guard look.

Lamar Odom has moved from power forward to the small forward position. He spent the offseason working on his lateral quickness so he can matchup defensively at the 3. With Odom at the 3-spot, Pau Gasol at the 4 and Andrew Bynum in the middle, the Lakers will put the league’s largest frontline on the court. Tex Winter suggests that playing such a lineup for long stretches would be difficult because of defensive liabilities. Odom will make this team better here. Luke Walton will be the primary backup. Vladimir Radmanovich could also get playing time at small forward. He was the main starter most of the season, but is slated to be the primary backup at the power forward position. Trevor Ariza will also help out as he gets more familiar with the triangle offense.

Pau Gasol was a godsend to the Lakers. Kwame Brown had never been the guy and the Lakers looked instantly like a contender with the arrival of Gasol. Gasol played mostly center most of last season with Bynum out, and he held his own despite being thin. How well Bynum returns from injury will determine how much Gasol plays at his better position of power forward. Odom could also fill time at this spot when the Lakers want to go small. Vlade Radmanovich will also see time here. His presence creates room for Kobe Bryant.

The health of Andrew Bynum’s knee will determine a lot for the Lakers here. If he returns to the form he displayed early last season, the Lakers will have options and depth here. If Bynum doesn’t return to form then the Lakers will slide Gasol back over. Chris Mihm will also see minutes here. He showed signs of finally returning from injuries that have sidelined his career and could be a huge help this season.

Final Analysis

Andrew Bynum’s return from injury will determine a lot of things for the Lakers, mainly the options the Lakers will have with their lineups and their depth. Bynum didn’t use the team doctors when he injured his knee, but instead pursued his own medical advice on how to deal with the surgery and recover from the damage to the MCL. The Lakers are definitely better with Bynum on the floor, but Kobe Bryant is the heart and soul of this team. Kobe and Gasol were impressive together last season, and they should only get better. Fisher excels at running the offense and taking the pressure off Bryant, and that is what the Lakers need. The less pressure on Bryant and the more on the other 4 guys on the floor is what the Lakers need to take their game to the next level. We have the Lakers finishing first in the Pacific Division ahead of the Suns, Clippers, Warriors, and Kings. The Lakers will once again compete for the Western Conference title, and have a good shot at being in the NBA Championship again, where if things go right they could get a rematch against the Celtics. At BetUS, the Lakers are +325 odds of winning the NBA Championship this season.

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