Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2015 12:35:18 GMT -5
The "City of Angels" has been through hell. In 5 full seasons, the historic Lakers franchise has only managed to win 111 games...meaning they're averaging slightly over 20 wins per season since the beginning of IBA 2.0. This is good enough for the worst in the entire league, and it isn't even close. Since the creation of the league, the Lakers have been simply pathetic. But, gone are the days of Armond Hill running point guard....there is no more Kevin Willis 20-18 games in 20 point losses...no longer are the Lakers expecting Jason Richardson to lead their team in scoring. Instead, this franchise has handed the keys over to the likes of Magic Johnson, Dwight Howard, and Mickey Johnson. No longer will Magic be leading the franchise in assists and points, as his spot at PG has been filled by veteran Ron Lee. Tyson Chandler has been relieved of his duty as the teams top big man, as Dwight Howard has been acquired to fill that role. Trevor Ariza and Dorrell Wright are not splitting time at SF anymore - now Mickey Johnson physically dominates the position, with sixth man Joe Johnson giving him the rest he needs. No, this is not your typical Lakers team. Things have changed.
Starters:
Guard: Ron Lee, Magic Johnson
Forward: Mickey Johnson, Jim Brewer
Center: Dwight Howard
Guards - The strength of this squad. The depth that Joe Johnson provides allows the Lakers to run an all out press. Magic and Lee are given free reign to wreak havoc as A+ defenders. Offensively, Magic will carry much of the scoring load while freeing up Mickey and Dwight down low for easy buckets.
Forwards - Two guys not asked to play their primary position. Mickey will carry the scoring load while Brewer defends his ass off and crashes the boards next to Dwight Howard. Defensively, these two should be able to play with the best of them. Offensively, Mickey will take the lead as he bulls his way to the free throw line. Mickey projects to be a matchup nightmare at the SF position.
Center - Dwight roaming the paint makes all of the gimmicks of this set up possible. Dwight can make up for the defensive issues of the players on the floor around him. One of the best at his position, the 23 year old shot blocker is entering the prime of his career. He aims to be one of the top Centers in IBA.
Role Players:
Joe Johnson
Tyson Chandler
The irony. At one point, these two young guys were projected as the core of the future in LA. Now look where we're at. Glad to have some scoring punch off the bench, the Lakers franchise hope that Joe Johnson can make a play for sixth man of the year. Meanwhile, Chandler should excel now that he is no longer to provide scoring. With the ability to play power forward as well, Chandler is a nice compliment to the brute force of Dwight Howard and the finesse of Mickey Johnson.
Acquisitions:
Dwight Howard - Perhaps I'm biased (I am...this is my team and my article) but I think Dwight Howard is the best big man to arrive in IBA outside of the Creation Draft. Webber - we can talk in a couple seasons. As far as IBA goes - big men are possibly the most important position, and Dwight has the ability to dominate. While the ultimate goal of the franchise is going to be to beat Shaquille O'Neal and KAJ...Dwight should be able to weather the storm. A defense and rebounding combined with the "team rebounding approach" that Magic at SG and Mickey at SF contribute to, and the Lakers will be looking to hold teams to single possessions every time down the court. The Lakers have a defensive mindset - and it all begins in the paint with their shot blocking extraordinaire.
Mickey Johnson - At this point the Lakers have dominant Front/Backcourt stars in Magic and Dwight...so a stud wing player was absolutely necessary. Enter: Mickey Johnson. Combine a 97 inside game and a PF who was born to play SF and you have this BEAST of a wing. Mickey Johnson is going to lead this team in scoring - no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Mickey is a powerful SF with an elite ability to get to the charity stripe. In the first 3 games of the season, Mickey has gotten to the line the second most in IBA, and forced Sonics SF Neal to foul out in only 18 minutes - and then forced KAJ to foul out in only 30. Mickey might be the glue that holds this team together.
Ron Lee - Adding another A+ defender to the equation, the Lee/Magic backcourt should give teams FITS! With Joe Johnson coming off of the bench, the Lakers now have the depth and the talent to press every play of the game. Ron Lee also has an outstanding A/TO ratio, which makes this backcourt one of the toughest to matchup against in IBA. Forcing Turnovers, pressing shots, and gang rebounding should result in the Lakers having one of the top statistical defenses in IBA. With Magic and Lee wearing opponents down, and Dwight Howard holding down the paint, and Magic, Lee, Mickey, and Dwight gang rebounding - Lee is a perfect fit to contribute to this defensive nightmare.
Departures:
Not a single player who contributed last season has left the Lakers. But, the Lakers did trade away big man and top 5 draft pick Shawn Bradley and recent FA signee Harvey Catchings. The lakers will miss the defense and shotblocking that they gave up, but the return of Dwight and Mickey Johnson was too much to pass up.
Expectations
The Lakers are all in for the next 2 seasons. With the Sonics finally getting knocked off by the Heat in the finals, the opportunity for another team to represent the west may finally have presented itself. With Magic, Dwight, Joe Johnson, and Tyson Chandler on rookie deals, the timing couldn't be better for this Lakers squad. Sporting one of the top backcourts in the league, and legit top 5/10 guys at SF and C, the Lake Show is going to be in full effect in the 81 season.
55 Wins is the goal. As a team competing for the first time in it's history in the league, ups and downs are to be expected. The depth charts are going to be moved around frequently, and guys will be playing out of position even more frequently. This team has talent though, and come playoff time the sky is the limit. While the regular season is going to be a battle for the divisional throne, the team who emerges on top will be battle tested and ready for war. Hopefully it is my Lakers, but this Pacific Division is a toss up if I've ever seen one.
Projection:
I said earlier that 55 wins is a reasonable expectation, but I think my Lakers have the upside to hit 60. I'm setting it at 58 wins flat as a projection, with a top 3 scoring defense in the league.
Dwight: 17/13/3.5
Mickey: 28/9.5
Magic: 26/8.5/6.5
Lee: 13/10.5
Total Wins: 58
Team MVP: Magic Johnson
Team DPOY: Dwight Howard
(I very much need $75, lol)
Starters:
Guard: Ron Lee, Magic Johnson
Forward: Mickey Johnson, Jim Brewer
Center: Dwight Howard
Guards - The strength of this squad. The depth that Joe Johnson provides allows the Lakers to run an all out press. Magic and Lee are given free reign to wreak havoc as A+ defenders. Offensively, Magic will carry much of the scoring load while freeing up Mickey and Dwight down low for easy buckets.
Forwards - Two guys not asked to play their primary position. Mickey will carry the scoring load while Brewer defends his ass off and crashes the boards next to Dwight Howard. Defensively, these two should be able to play with the best of them. Offensively, Mickey will take the lead as he bulls his way to the free throw line. Mickey projects to be a matchup nightmare at the SF position.
Center - Dwight roaming the paint makes all of the gimmicks of this set up possible. Dwight can make up for the defensive issues of the players on the floor around him. One of the best at his position, the 23 year old shot blocker is entering the prime of his career. He aims to be one of the top Centers in IBA.
Role Players:
Joe Johnson
Tyson Chandler
The irony. At one point, these two young guys were projected as the core of the future in LA. Now look where we're at. Glad to have some scoring punch off the bench, the Lakers franchise hope that Joe Johnson can make a play for sixth man of the year. Meanwhile, Chandler should excel now that he is no longer to provide scoring. With the ability to play power forward as well, Chandler is a nice compliment to the brute force of Dwight Howard and the finesse of Mickey Johnson.
Acquisitions:
Dwight Howard - Perhaps I'm biased (I am...this is my team and my article) but I think Dwight Howard is the best big man to arrive in IBA outside of the Creation Draft. Webber - we can talk in a couple seasons. As far as IBA goes - big men are possibly the most important position, and Dwight has the ability to dominate. While the ultimate goal of the franchise is going to be to beat Shaquille O'Neal and KAJ...Dwight should be able to weather the storm. A defense and rebounding combined with the "team rebounding approach" that Magic at SG and Mickey at SF contribute to, and the Lakers will be looking to hold teams to single possessions every time down the court. The Lakers have a defensive mindset - and it all begins in the paint with their shot blocking extraordinaire.
Mickey Johnson - At this point the Lakers have dominant Front/Backcourt stars in Magic and Dwight...so a stud wing player was absolutely necessary. Enter: Mickey Johnson. Combine a 97 inside game and a PF who was born to play SF and you have this BEAST of a wing. Mickey Johnson is going to lead this team in scoring - no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Mickey is a powerful SF with an elite ability to get to the charity stripe. In the first 3 games of the season, Mickey has gotten to the line the second most in IBA, and forced Sonics SF Neal to foul out in only 18 minutes - and then forced KAJ to foul out in only 30. Mickey might be the glue that holds this team together.
Ron Lee - Adding another A+ defender to the equation, the Lee/Magic backcourt should give teams FITS! With Joe Johnson coming off of the bench, the Lakers now have the depth and the talent to press every play of the game. Ron Lee also has an outstanding A/TO ratio, which makes this backcourt one of the toughest to matchup against in IBA. Forcing Turnovers, pressing shots, and gang rebounding should result in the Lakers having one of the top statistical defenses in IBA. With Magic and Lee wearing opponents down, and Dwight Howard holding down the paint, and Magic, Lee, Mickey, and Dwight gang rebounding - Lee is a perfect fit to contribute to this defensive nightmare.
Departures:
Not a single player who contributed last season has left the Lakers. But, the Lakers did trade away big man and top 5 draft pick Shawn Bradley and recent FA signee Harvey Catchings. The lakers will miss the defense and shotblocking that they gave up, but the return of Dwight and Mickey Johnson was too much to pass up.
Expectations
The Lakers are all in for the next 2 seasons. With the Sonics finally getting knocked off by the Heat in the finals, the opportunity for another team to represent the west may finally have presented itself. With Magic, Dwight, Joe Johnson, and Tyson Chandler on rookie deals, the timing couldn't be better for this Lakers squad. Sporting one of the top backcourts in the league, and legit top 5/10 guys at SF and C, the Lake Show is going to be in full effect in the 81 season.
55 Wins is the goal. As a team competing for the first time in it's history in the league, ups and downs are to be expected. The depth charts are going to be moved around frequently, and guys will be playing out of position even more frequently. This team has talent though, and come playoff time the sky is the limit. While the regular season is going to be a battle for the divisional throne, the team who emerges on top will be battle tested and ready for war. Hopefully it is my Lakers, but this Pacific Division is a toss up if I've ever seen one.
Projection:
I said earlier that 55 wins is a reasonable expectation, but I think my Lakers have the upside to hit 60. I'm setting it at 58 wins flat as a projection, with a top 3 scoring defense in the league.
Dwight: 17/13/3.5
Mickey: 28/9.5
Magic: 26/8.5/6.5
Lee: 13/10.5
Total Wins: 58
Team MVP: Magic Johnson
Team DPOY: Dwight Howard
(I very much need $75, lol)