If the Lakers are going to repeat (typing those words makes me want to vomit), they are going to need a productive, stable season from Ron Artest, right? Maybe, maybe not. Unless Ron-Ron goes absolutely loco, the Lakers success will largely depend on the production/evolution of Jordan Farmar and Andrew Bynum, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher and John Hollinger. (Warning - it's an Insider access only).I understand why Bynum's development is critical. The oft-injured center has the potential to be a game-changing force in the paint. If he's dominating, the Lakers can win regularly when Odom, Artest and even Gasol are having off nights.But Farmar? He's important because... Kobe Bryant is getting old. First, the bad news: A declining free throw rate is a fairly ominous
canary in the coal mine, and Bryant is 31 years old with a lot of
mileage on his legs. For that reason, I don't think he'll match last
season's numbers.They're right. Th...
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