The NBA season has just about arrived, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the definite favorite entering the season. Why, you might ask?
Well, for one, they’re the defending champions. They defeated the Orlando Magic with relative ease in the NBA finals, and looked very solid throughout the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
Pau Gasol is the first second best player on any team in the league. On many teams Pau would be the best player on his team but not with the Lakers obviously. Pau has put up great numbers his entire NBA career but his toughness was questioned. Pau showed how tough he was in the playoffs averaging’ points per game and 8 rebounds per game.
Much of the Lakers’ success last year should be attributed to a lot more than just Kobe himself. This was a team effort through and through.
Andrew Bynum needs to have a break out year this season because he has contributed little in his career thus far. Bynum has improved his scoring average every year he has been in the league but can’t stay healthy. Bynum is a good talent; he has size and has shown signs of having the potential to be a great big man.
The Lakers are looking to repeat this season – their chances are very good. The last time a team repeated as champions were the Lakers 01′ & 02′.
Pau Gasol will turn 30, also young enough to play at his peak. Lamar Odom will be 31, and Andrew Bynum will be 23, maturing another year. It seems like everyone’s at the perfect age.
Then there’s the x-factor, of course. The signing of Ron Artest, one of the best defensive players in basketball. Artest will turn 31, making for a well aged team that has the physical prowess and the knowledge to do anything a team is capable of doing. The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to repeat entering the season.
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