Los Angeles Lakers: Could They Reclaim Pacific Division Title?
By Shane Young
During the 2012-13 regular season, which many have labeled as “one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history,” the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to win the Pacific Division crown for a sixth consecutive year. The supremacy of the division has seemed to remain in Hollywood, but now rests with the nearby rival Los Angeles Clippers. Capturing their first Pacific title this past season by recording 56 wins, the Clippers will most likely head into next season as the clear favorites to repeat the accomplishment. As for Lakers fans, it’s likely disappointing to know that the purple-and-gold didn’t even finish second in the five-team race, as that position belonged to the Golden State Warriors. The underlying question, as we begin to forecast the year ahead, is: Can the Lakers regain the power of the Pacific? To figure this out, we dive into the essentials they must keep in mind, as well as the teams that stand in their way.
Keys for the Lakers in 2013-14
Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant during the disappointing 2012-13 regular season. Photo Credit: (Flickr.com)
It may just be the way I feel, but every summer of free agency since July 2010 has resembled a roller-coaster ride focused one player’s future decision. For the second consecutive offseason, we are going to be struck with the “Dwightmare.” Leaving discussions of probable landing spots for Dwight Howard for another day, only one statement is needed when analyzing the Lakers’ chances for a division title or playoff basketball next April. Re-signing the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is imperative.
Without Howard, Los Angeles would need to begin shopping through the market for potential centers that would be the best fit for Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. What general manager Mitch Kupchak may discover, however, is that no other star 6’11” or larger would allow them to be a legitimate threat to the city adversaries known as “Lob City.”
If Howard’s decision in the months to come is to remain in purple-and-gold, coaching adjustments seem more than necessary. With current coach Mike D’Antoni never having ultimate success with a superstar center, all viewers were able to see how ineffective Howard became in the offense predicated on outside scoring. For the Lakers to be any threat to the Clippers in this division and bragging rights battle, they will need to allow more touches in the post to create a more efficient offensive attack. As it’s not a secret that D’Antoni isn’t a defensive mastermind; ranking 22nd in points allowed is something that is going to take a team effort to overcome.
One thing we have learned as fans would be that returning the same supporting cast from a previous season is not always possible. In this circumstance, however, unrestricted free agents Antawn Jamison, Earl Clark and Jodie Meeks have been publicly open about wanting to come back for another journey … or soap opera. If the salaries do not become an issue with the abundant payroll this team faces, all three will play important roles in managing the minutes of Bryant and Nash, who are both entering their 18th year in the league.
A Lakers fan’s perfect world happens to be the only place everything goes as planned, however. Given the endless situations that the organization can be presented with, will they have enough to bring back the Pacific Division title? Take a look at their competition:
L.A. Clippers
Actively having their name brought up in trade discussions, the Clippers truly aren’t able to plan for what’s ahead this upcoming season. Why? Their franchise superstar, Chris Paul, is going to take his time with a difficult free agency decision. While one of the monumental beliefs around the league is that Paul would take offers from Atlanta and Dallas into deep consideration, most basketball minds expect him to re-sign with Los Angeles this summer.
Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups display their leadership that helps the Clippers excel. (Photo Credit: Flickr.com)
Given that they retain the six-time All-Star, this team will be undoubtedly have higher expectations next season compared to the Lakers. Having six free agents this off-season (two at starting guard positions), it will be interesting to see if the Clippers successfully bring back Matt Barnes, Ryan Hollins and Lamar Odom, who all made individual contributions to their regular-season success. Another year with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan developing a more polished post offense will only benefit this team. Would the Lakers have any chance of dethroning the rivals with Paul, Griffin and Jordan just adding to their chemistry and experience together? Absolutely not. Winning the “Dwightmare” wouldn’t mean a thing for Mike D’Antoni’s Lakers and a second division title would be added to the Clippers’ résumé. Prediction: Clippers win division if Paul stays in Los Angeles.
Golden State Warriors
Oddly enough, the Lakers fared greatly against Mark Jackson‘s young sharpshooting squad as they won the season series 3-1. This offseason will prove to be crucial for the Warriors, as five significant role players are unrestricted free agents. Jarrett Jack, Richard Jefferson, Carl Landry, Brandon Rush and Andris Biedrins will all hit the market this summer. Jefferson, Landry and Rush all have player options, meaning they could elect to stay for another year if they choose.
Coach Mark Jackson, center, helped lead the Golden State Warriors to just their second series victory in 22 years. The Warriors closed out their first-round series with the third-seeded Denver Nuggets May 2 with a 92-88 win. (Flickr.com photo by Matthew Addie)
Jack, who is unrestricted, is the most important asset for Golden State to hang on to if they want to finish ahead of the Lakers again next season. With Kobe Bryant’s competitive drive to return and Steve Nash becoming completely healthy before November, Warriors’ general manager Bob Myers will need to return the depth that Jack provides for their backcourt. As we’re all aware of upcoming superstar Stephen Curry‘s troubling ankle issues, it would be asinine to believe Golden State could compete with the Clippers or Lakers without assistance in the guard positions. Even factoring in David Lee‘s return and Andrew Bogut‘s much improved play we witnessed in the postseason, it’s still hard to believe they will outshine either Los Angeles team through 82 games. Looking ahead at the big picture, it becomes much more convincing that Bryant, Nash and Howard (pending his decision) would be too overwhelming for the younger Warriors team to handle. I’ve been a huge supporter of veteran success opposed to youth around the league for quite some time, which leads me to believe that Golden State will have a tough time winning more games than the Clippers or Lakers. Prediction: Warriors finish third in Pacific.
Sacramento Kings & Phoenix Suns
Fans across the league would certainly agree that this division has turned into a three-team race, considering the Kings haven’t met the 37-win mark since the 2007-08 regular season and Phoenix is just in their second year of rebuilding the franchise after trading their two-time MVP to the Lakers.
Sacramento’s issues are surprisingly difficult to tackle when you realize that they occupy lethal 3-point shooting with Marcus Thornton, Jimmer Fredette and Toney Douglas surrounding the perimeter, as well as one of the best post presences from DeMarcus Cousins. But then, as the statistics show that they ranked 30th in points allowed (105.1 per game) and 10th in points scored (100.2 per game), you begin to understand the lack of balance they have on both sides of the ball. Attempting to re-sign Douglas and starting shooting guard Tyreke Evans shouldn’t be too tough for Kings’ management, as they are both restricted free agents this summer. With that being said, nobody is expecting this team to do any damage in this division. In fact, I’ll be confident with placing Cousins and company last in next year’s Pacific standings.
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings’ center, has made a name for himself early in his career. (Flickr.com photo by Scott Mecum)
Phoenix, on the other hand, will be on the verge of losing starting shooting guard Wesley Johnson and key backup center Jermaine O’Neal via free agency. New coach Jeff Hornacek will look to make the most of what he is presented with next season, which will still include the trio of Goran Dragic, Luis Scola and Michael Beasley. The Suns, much like the Kings, cannot have realistic expectations of winning a division title if Dwight Howard and Chris Paul remain standing in the way. Prediction: Suns and Kings remain at the bottom of the Pacific for 2013-14.
It is more than difficult to forecast any results for the Lakers next season, especially before the free agent frenzy begins during the off-season. We are less than a month away from the beginning of NBA free agency, which is set for July 1. Without question, the decision of Dwight Howard affect the Pacific Division’s outcome for next season. For the Lakers, however, expectations always include a trophy in the picture. Prediction: Lakers land Howard, finish second in Pacific.