Los Angeles Lakers 2012-13 NBA Preview

Photo Credit: (Flickr.com)

Los Angeles Lakers

2011-12 Vitals:

41-25, 1st in Pacific Division, 3rd in Western Conference
97.3 PPG/95.9 OPP PPG

2012-13 Roster:

Steve Blake – PG
Kobe Bryant – SG
Earl Clark – F
Chris Duhon – PG
Devin Ebanks – SF
Pau Gasol – PF
Andrew Goudelock – G
Jordan Hill – C
Dwight Howard – C
Antawn Jamison – PF
Darius Johnson-Odom – G
Jodie Meeks – G
Darius Morris – G
Steve Nash – PG
Reeves Nelson – SF
Robert Sacre – C
Greg Somogyi – C
Metta World Peace – SF

Offseason Additions:

Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark, Darius Johnson-Odom, Robert Sacre

Offseason Subtractions:

Andrew Bynum, Ramon Sessions, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga

Projected Starters:

PG – Steve Nash
SG – Kobe Bryant
SF – Metta World Peace
PF – Pau Gasol
C – Dwight Howard

Season Outlook:

Although the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the 2011-12 Western Conference Semifinals, the series hinged on a couple of close games that the Lakers gave away.

The Lakers decided to make some serious additions during the offseason that will greatly help shore up any issues about late-game execution. Steve Nash has arrived as one of the best shooters in the league, someone who makes everyone better and as a guy who makes terrific decisions.

On the defensive end, Andrew Bynum and his inconsistent effort is gone but in his place is one of the most dominant defensive players in the league in Dwight Howard. The Lakers are now one of the most feared teams in the league and anything less than a championship is a failure.

Best-Case Scenario:

The Lakers run the table by finishing with the No. 1 overall seed and dispatching the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Against the Miami Heat, the Lakers prove to be too big and end up pounding the Heat in the paint. The Lakers win the NBA title and all is right in Los Angeles.

Worst-Case Scenario:

The newcomers don’t gel as well as expected. The ageless Steve Nash finally starts to slow down and Dwight Howard‘s back is a more serious issue than previously expected. The Lakers fall to the No. 4 seed and end up bowing out in the second round again, leaving Howard to wonder if he wants to stay in Los Angeles.