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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Reasons To Be Excited

By Stephen Findley

April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of balloons and confetti falling following the Los Angeles Lakers 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of balloons and confetti falling following the Los Angeles Lakers 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) is hugged by team mates after scoring a basket against Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) is hugged by team mates after scoring a basket against Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Kobe retirement tour is over

Kobe Bryant, title aspirations aside, got a perfect send off by the Lakers. In the final year of his two-year $48.5 million contract, Bryant was able to dial in and produce some memorable moments.

Now that Bryant is gone, the focus and attention that he commands are also gone. With that, the Lakers can take the brakes off and unleash their youngsters. Look for a Walton offense to create more space in the half court and encourage a faster pace.

I don’t expect a league-leading defense but I do expect improvements and consistency on that end of the floor – there were too many occasions last season when the Lakers looked like a team that didn’t buy into the defensive principles instilled by Byron Scott.

More hoops habit: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

Lakers fans, it’s time to get excited — I just gave you five reasons why!

(player statistics per Basketball-reference.com)

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