The L.A. Lakers won another NBA championship in 09'. This proved to be extra special most will say for Kobe Bryant because this is first championship since 02' - more importantly the first without Shaquille O'Neal.
Well, for one, they're the defending champions. They defeated the Orlando Magic with relative ease in the NBA finals, and looked very solid throughout the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
More importantly, the Lakers have made a big acquisition during the off season and this has led many to believe that the team will dominate the league flat out during the 2009-2010 NBA basketball season.
Contributions from Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher, and others made the Los Angeles Lakers a team with many dangerous weapons, and a team that no one wanted to face in the playoffs. This was an extremely deep team.
The only issues with Ron Artest is problems he may face off the court, but I believe those days are pretty much behind him as he's learned his lesson.
Still, other teams in the league have steadily improved over the past few years, and some like Orlando, Cleveland, San Antonio, and Boston have all made worthy acquisitions too.
As long as Kobe continues to play at this level, the Lakers will continue to be contenders for another championship.
Well, for one, they're the defending champions. They defeated the Orlando Magic with relative ease in the NBA finals, and looked very solid throughout the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he's not one of the team's stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
More importantly, the Lakers have made a big acquisition during the off season and this has led many to believe that the team will dominate the league flat out during the 2009-2010 NBA basketball season.
Contributions from Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher, and others made the Los Angeles Lakers a team with many dangerous weapons, and a team that no one wanted to face in the playoffs. This was an extremely deep team.
The only issues with Ron Artest is problems he may face off the court, but I believe those days are pretty much behind him as he's learned his lesson.
Still, other teams in the league have steadily improved over the past few years, and some like Orlando, Cleveland, San Antonio, and Boston have all made worthy acquisitions too.
As long as Kobe continues to play at this level, the Lakers will continue to be contenders for another championship.
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