Not So Fast Lakers Fans

If you've been reading or listening to any of the NBA preseason predictions, the overall consensus seems to be that the Los Angeles Lakers will be crowned champs at the end of the season. I agree that the Lakers will probably be more difficult to beat than they were last year; and that's saying a lot, but this is a team that still has a few questions to be answered. Will this team be tougher defensively than the 07-08 edition? This is the area that Phil Jackson's championship Bulls and Lakers teams excelled in during their championship runs. Last year's Lakers got away with being a more finesse team against their Western Conference foes, but the Celtics were a different story completely. In fact the Lakers gave up more than 101 points per game compared to the Celtics 90 points per. When knocked down, the Lakers wouldn't hit back and the Celts dominated the series because of their dedication to defense, even though their offense was inconsistent. Is Andrew Bynum the missing ingredient that puts the Lake show over the top? I know Bynum clogs up the middle and will certainly make it more difficult for opponents to have their way in the lane, but will he be able to put his contract situation aside without getting sidetracked? I'm rooting for this kid, but it's been stated more than once that Bynum and the rest of his Lakers teammates aren't the closest of buds. In fact, one insider described Bynum's relationship with the rest of the team as "weird". I not convinced he's over the Kobe rant, the Lakers failing to resign him over the summer and the constant "constructive" criticism by Phil Jackson. All of this or none of this could affect his play. Can Kobe really trust his teammates when it counts? I must admit as much as I enjoy watching Kobe Bryant play, it can also be a constant source of frustration when he tries to do too much. Lakers' advisor and former assistant Tex Winter refutes this assertion for the most part. He feels that some of the shots Kobe jacks up are good shots for him, because he is capable of making them, but would be considered bad for other players. I'm not totally convinced of this, but I can certainly see why he tries to do too much at times; especially during the Finals last season. Kobe's teammates played like deer in headlights at times against the Celts and with the kind of stifling defense Kobe was facing, he needed Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in particular to step up big. Will those two be ready if the Lakers make a return trip to the Finals? Let's hope so for the Mamba's sake. If not, it's going to be another frustrating summer for the Lakers faithful.