October Review
The Los Angeles Lakers finished 4-4 during preseason play and are now looking forward to a regular season opening clash against the Phoenix Suns. The injury plagued team will be without stars Lamar Odom, Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm and perhaps even Kobe Bryant for the first game and the first four players listed are looking at missing the first two weeks of the season.
Bryant and Mihm have been out since the playoffs after both of them underwent surgery in the off season. Kwame Brown lasted just one game before being injured during a practise while Odom and Parker both suffered the same injury in the same game during the preseason. “We’re a bit crippled so to speak,” Kurt Rambis told journalists a few days ago as he handed the coaching duties back to Phil Jackson, “I’m sure Phil will have more than a sore hip.” Jackson even joked along, “A sore head is more like it hey Kurt?” With Jackson back in charge, the Lakers will be looking to make some sort of challenge every night.
“We just want to be consistent,” Maurice Evans said, “If we hold our own for the first handful of matches and don’t fall behind too much, players like Kobe don’t need to rush back.” Consistency was sorely lacking from the preseason edition of the Lakers. The only thing that was consistent was two losses to the Phoenix Suns. “Now that was bad,” Luke Walton stated.
The Lakers suffered a roller coaster like ride of ups and downs; that started with a big win over the Jazz, a big loss to the Suns, a few close wins and losses, before concluding with a big win against the Nuggets. However, a few good things did come out of all the inconsistent performances of the team. The Lakers showed the coaching staff a potent three point accuracy no one thought they had in them. Led by Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic and Shammond Williams; the Lakers abused teams that decided to let the Lakers guards to shoot open treys.
Another positive was the play of rookie Jordan Farmar who looked in control of the offence during the limited time he was allowed to play. Along with that was Andrew Bynum being able to step into a starting role and being capable of delivering an instant double double. Maurice Evans has proven to be a steal on Draft Night when he was traded to the Lakers for a second round draft pick. Evans has eased into a starting guard role and had provided LA with a consistent scoring option and star defender. “I’m happy with him,” Jackson spoke of his newest player, “He’s athletic, hustles and is smart… the perfect player to help us out.”
This season looks bright for the Lakers even with their starting line up from last season on the injured list right now. A return to the postseason is more than probable but the exact placing of this team is still uncertain. The Lakers take on the Phoenix Suns in their first game of the season and it may just be about right to say that their play against Phoenix will help predict the rest of this coming season.
Preseason Extra
The following awards are voted by the fans
Team MVP: Maurice Evans
Best Team Mate: Luke Walton
Best Defensive Player: Maurice Evans
I will think of something to do in the meantime though!
noooo...
Heading away to Melbourne tomorrow so won't be on often for a month or so.
