For anyone who witnessed young center Andrew Bynum make his return to the Laker lineup against the Denver Nuggets this next statement should come as no suprise: This Los Angelos squad will win this year's NBA championship. Easily too.
The Lakers went 25-7 with Bynum on the sidelines, and feature a loaded lineup and a deep bench. Without Bynum this Los Angelos team under the original Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson, is a top 2 or 3 squad. With their young 7 foot center, the Lakers are nearly unstoppable when healthy. But what can one expect from a team led by the best coach and the best player in the league currently? Phil Jackson's actions and words are backed by 9 championship rings and a lifetime in the NBA as a player and a coach. Kobe Bryant is the closest thing to Michael Jordan since the Airness himself graced the United Center floor. But the talent of the Lakers does not stop at the top. This team goes 10 deep, and if Kobe and Paul Gasol aren't killing you, 6th man Lamar Odom and "The Machine" Sasha Vujacic probably are. Luke Walton can run the triangle offense just as well as anyone, and Jordan Farmar is the point guard of the future.
But names alone do not justify this blogger's bold prediction of a Los Angelos romp to the championship. This team is dangerous offensively, and locks down opposing teams on defense. With 2 7 footers and 6-10 forward Lamar Odom coming off the bench, the Lakers crash the boards hard and more often than not win the battle in the paint. The team's clear cut leader is Kobe Bryant, and at the ripe, old age of 30, he has learned to trust his teammates and force them to play up to his level rather than him playing down to theirs. Above it all is the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson. Most nights the Lakers not only have the advantage on the floor, but also on the sidelines. Few coaches can matchup with Jackson's coaching prowess and feel for the game. How many people can say they introduced the triangle offense to the world of basketball?
Is this team better than the Kobe and Shaq Laker teams of the early 2000s? In some ways. Chemistry is eons ahead of whatever those Laker squads had going on in the locker room, and these Laker are much deeper than those Lakers. But all other teams beware, the Lakers version 2009 are very good, very deep, and more importantly very hungry. Much like the Celtics of last season, the Lakers are easily the best team in the league and have a chip on their shoulder. The questions still swirl, and the Cavs, Celtics, and Magic are fast closing in on the Lakers of Los Angelos. But to decide to pick the Lakers as the 2009 NBA champions is as simple as looking at the rosters of the aforementioned teams, and then ask oneself; Can they match up with these Lakers?
More often than not the question is a resounding no. Dwight Howard can match up with any big man in the league, but even Superman himself can't keep both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in check. Same goes for Kevin Garnett. Regardless Kobe remains an unstoppable force come the playoffs, and Derek Fisher's experience and toughness rivals any player in the league. And if this squad is playing at home at the Staples Center? No chance. This Laker team is 35-5 at home, and Sasha Vujacic turns into Manu Ginobili at the Staples Center.
So to every other team the gauntlet has been thrown down. Between every elite team and the championship stands the best team with the best player led by the best coach. Who knows, maybe this isn't the year Kobe finally earns a ring without the Big Fella. But I honestly doubt it.
Lakers v Cavs Lakers in 5
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