NBA 2006-2007 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers
Coach: Phil Jackson, 2nd Season (45-37)
General Manager: Mitch Kupchak
’05-’06 Record: 45-37, 3rd Pacific Division
Postseason: eliminated in Western Conference Quarterfinals; Lost to PHX (4-3)


Projected Starting Lineup (’05-’06 Stats)

PG – Smush Parker (11.5 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 3.7 apg.)
SG – Kobe Bryant (35.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 4.5 apg.)
SF – Vladimir Radmanovic (w/LAC: 10.7 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.1 apg.)
PF – Lamar Odom (14.8 ppg., 9.2 rpg., 5.5 apg.)
C – Kwame Brown (7.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 1.0 apg.)


Key Additions: PF Vladimir Radmanovic (UFA – LAC)

Key Subtractions: SF Devean George (UFA – DAL); SF Jim Jackson (UFA)


2006 NBA Draft
Round 1 – PG Jordan Farmar (26th overall), UCLA
Round 2 – SG Danilo Pinnock (58th overall), George Washington


Positional Breakdowns

Guards
There were times last season when the Laker fans all over the nation were finally able to exhale, slump their shoulders, and say “maybe Smush Parker is the answer at point guard.” Unfortunately, it didn’t happen as much as they probably wanted to. Don’t get me wrong, Parker probably gave the Lakers the best season from a point guard in quite some time. However, there is still room for improvement. Parker allowed himself to get lost sometimes, and with guys like Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom his assist numbers should go up. He’s not the strong personality that the Lakers need to control all of the offensive egos that can get big. With the precise offense that Phil Jackson likes to run, the Lakers need someone who can make smarter decisions when under pressure. Parker also got lost on defense often, something the Lakers cannot have when there is such little room for error. The point guards in the Western Conference, guys like Baron Davis, Tony Parker, and Steve Nash will destroy Parker and create havoc against the Lakers.