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by Rick_Garcia

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Stop your cryin' Lakers fans
Jun 21, 2008 | 12:17 AM
Category: Sports
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Great news Lakers fans!
 In the same breath I can pat myself on the back for predicting the Boston Celtics would beat the Lakers in the NBA finals before the playoffs even began, I can say with confidence the Lakers are the team to beat next season.
Here's why:
The Lakers will add one very important player in the off season. And he's a player they already have.  Andrew Bynum. I know Bynum only really had three good weeks this season but even forgetting his steady improvement, Bynum has something that will make a big difference next year. A big body. With Bynum down low fighting for the much needed rebounds the Lakers couldnt grab against the Celtics, Pau Gasol can the move outside and play a more natural position. Lamar Odom can also concentrate on scoring more as a 4th option taking some pressure off him. But the Lakers will need one more fix. Defense...Defense...Defense!!
The it was easy to call the Celtics champs in advance....they know how to play defense like a college team. Aggressive,smart and like a team. If the Lakers learn the importance of defense...get Bynum back and healthy...mix in Kobe's new affection for team play and the sky or should I say the NBA Championship is the limit!

So Cheer up Lakers'  fans. This is one case where "there's always next year" really means something!
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Member Comments Total Comments: 5
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Shans-Deb read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 8:47 AM

I know that this is not going to please the Lakers fans… but… I hope that by the Lakers losing... that it might deflate kobe's ego a bit. His ego seems to far surpass his skill; he has been in need of a reality check for a long time... I hope that this starts him on a less arrogant path.
HowardM
Jun 23, 2008 | 9:28 AM

Next season, the Lakers need a bruiser to come off the bench playing power forward. Odom and Gasol are finesse players that may not compliment each other once Bynum is back on court. I don't see getting rid of either one to solve the problem (especially since Odom is versatile). It doesn't look like Turiaff has the demeanor to be a bruiser. Kupchak needs to find a 'Wes Unseld' type of player (add three inches) that's bulky and intimidating and yet a sportsman.
craftyguy read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 9:08 PM

i was totally wrong about the finals ..i thought it would be a Celtic sweep..and it would have been if they didn't play down in game three... CELTICS RULE!!!well there is always the Brooklyn Dodgers of Los Angeles..or the California Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Agentyubi
Jun 24, 2008 | 3:51 PM

Rick, we all knew it was going to be hard, but because we're LA. it's hard to take it.. but it's worst when a back~staber like Shaq~ talks smack* with a wacked rap. The good news is he can't produce more brat's he said so in his smack.(what's up with the dodgers & angels?)see u.
jpapagan read my blog view my photos
Jun 25, 2008 | 4:45 PM

While I do like Bynum and his upside, there are two problems still floating out there with what you said:

a) Lamar Odom needs to be a FOURTH scoring option to take pressure off of him??? That's going to be the trick? I don't think so. He was the third this year and that wasn't much help. He could be the 12th man on the end of the bench and something tells me he's still find a way to crack in a big moment.

b) The Lakers learning from the Celtics commitment to defense is nice in theory but the problem is this - you need a coach (like Doc) who is willing to preach D and make a commitment to it. Phil Jackson is NOT that guy. He has had some good individual defenders over the years but has never been committed to team defense and probably doesn't really know how to coach it. I don't think he has it in him to change now, especially considering that he's won 9 titles coaching his way.
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Rick_Garcia

Rick Garcia is the sports anchor for the top-rated Fox 11 10 O'clock News, seen weekdays at 10pm. He also anchors My13 News at 11pm.

Member Since: 7/4/2006


 

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