After the Lakers were able to defend their NBA Championship and bring home banner number sixteen, we decided to take a look back at the Lakers 2009-2010 roster and grade each player for their performance this year. We took into account contributions on and off the court, as we all know that every player played a role in the title, no matter how small.
Derek Fisher:
The notion of a player being able to “turn it on” during the playoffs is one of the most obscure puzzles to successfully piece together in all of sports. Five-time NBA champions like Derek Fisher is a man who relishes criticism and doubt during the regular season because all it does is make his postseason greatness that much sweeter to bask in. Derek has probably been the most scrutinized Lakers player since his return to the team in 2007 with many people stating that he’s too old to stick rising point guards like Aaron Brooks and Russell Westbrook. If you really break it down though, has Fisher’s “liability” on defense lost a series for the Lakers in the last three years? Would we have won either title if not for his irreplaceable leadership and clutch shot making? No and heck no.
That’s the thing about Derek. The regular season, at this point in his career, is all about making sure that the team is firing on all cylinders on both ends of the ball, not at all about his own glory. Sure, he’s only a 7.5 ppg and 2.5 apg career average player, but with Fish, it’s all about the intangibles. He’s forged a long and glorious career in the NBA doing all the dirty little things that are seldom at the top of starters’ agendas such as sacrificing his body to take brutal charges, using brute strength to hound opposing guards no matter how big or small and even willingly taking a one-game suspension in the playoffs to send a message as was the case when he slammed Luis Scola to the ground in last year’s West Semifinals against Houston. Very rarely does Derek do any of those things irresponsibly as every move he makes on the court is a product of quick calculations executed by way of an incredibly high basketball IQ.
When you talk about Fish, you can’t begin or end the conversation without mentioning his clutch factor. 0.4 against the Spurs, Game 4 against Orlando, Game 3 in Boston and Game 7 against the Celtics are just a few of the more standout images that will be forever stamped into our Lakers memories of him. As Kobe Bryant stated on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently, “there’s no way we win either title without Derek”. Fisher’s nickname on the team is El Presidente (according to Sasha), a testament to his role as team leader, perhaps even exceeding that of Kobe to some extent. The man did not earn five rings by riding the coattails of Shaq or the Mamba. On every championship team he’s been apart of, he’s individually executed whatever Phil Jackson asked of him for the betterment of the team. The consummate class and dignity with which Derek carries himself on and off the court are characteristics you will be hard pressed to find on every team in the NBA.
This past season, Fisher’s value to our team shined brighter than ever and given the fact that he stepped into every inch of his own greatness during the postseason whether it be the Western Conference Finals or NBA Finals without batting an eyelash, I’m going to give him a grade of B+. It may seem a bit high, but again, without him, there would have been no repeat and that’s that.
Next: Kobe Bryant…
Kobe Bryant:
To say that there are not enough superlatives to describe Kobe Bryant would be a gross understatement, especially considering the season that he’s just doused with a fifth championship champagne bath. More than the stats, which were generally held to his usual standard (27.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.0 apg reg. season; 29.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg playoffs), what makes the 2009-2010 campaign stand out far above the rest is the fact that Kobe elevated his almost supernatural ability to suppress pain and vigorously focus on the task at hand – winning ball games. The finger, knee and ankle were merely the ailments that received the most media coverage, but there surely has to have been a myriad of other nagging injuries that had to be physically conquered in order to remain the Lakers’ key cog in the pursuit of his fifth ring.
As for the regular season, at times, it felt like a straight-to-DVD movie that you’re forced to watch in the late hours of a Saturday night because there’s just nothing else that appeases your brain. Don’t misunderstand, watching Kobe sink six game winners felt like getting exactly what you wanted on Christmas as a kid, but let’s be honest, he went 0 for 2 this year against LeBron and the games he couldn’t quite pull out for us (Toronto, Orlando, Miami) left a taste in our mouths that was just as bitter as his buzzer buckets were sweet. However, at no point did the Mamba play to attain regular season supremacy. He was doing all he could to make sure the Lakers would be ready to defend their crown when the time came.
Once the NBA Playoffs kicked off, nothing that occurred in the previous six or so months mattered to Kobe and injuried or not, nothing short of severing an arm and a leg was going to stop him. Until Game 5 against the Thunder, prior to which he had the now widely famous knee drain, the Mamba was clearly laboring on that bum right knee to which he even attested that he was “playing on one leg”. However, from Game 6 onwards, the rest of the West never stood a chance. Kobe proceeded to score 30 or more points in 11 of the next 12 games, a period during which his team ousted the Thunder on the road in Game 6, swept the Jazz, defeated the Phoenix Suns in six and resoundingly beat down the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. More impressively, during that 12-game stretch, he shot a blistering 51% from the field and we will never forget the merciless clutch daggers that he nailed into the fading heart of Steve Nash’s Suns to clinch the West, capping off a run that is widely considered the best basketball of his career.
The NBA Finals really saw Kobe turn up his defensive intensity to a level that we’ve really never seen before. We all know that he takes immense pride in locking down his assignment if need be as was the case with Russell Westbrook in the OKC series, but against Boston, not enough credit has been given to his leadership as anchor of the Lakers’ team defense. Whether it was blocking Tony Allen and Kendrick Perkins right at the rim or forcing Kevin Garnett into crucial multiple turnovers on the road at TD Garden in Game 3, the Mamba really scraped the marrow of his bones to muster up the energy to play ferociously on both sides of the ball. Shots however, were hard earned and often missed against Boston’s swarming defense, thereby further exhausting his body. Even through an offensively horrendous Game 7, Kobe never wavered on the defensive end as he put the onus on himself to box out and rip down 15 boards, a critical element to victory given the fact that every team that won the battle on the glass won the game in the Finals.
All things considered, especially the injuries he played through, I’ve got to award Kobe with a grade of A-. This most recent postseason run to the NBA title was really captivating. While the rest of the basketball world was calling him “old” and “over the hill”, we Laker fans all knew that the Black Mamba had plenty of venom left to disperse.
Next: Ron Artest….
Ron Artest:
Ron Artest was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers through free agency in the summer of 2009. Entering the season there were many questions and concerns following Artest. Many people doubted his ability to behave on and off the court. His previous relationship with star Kobe Bryant indicated that the two would not be able to mesh. Ultimately, the ability of the Lakers to win another title would indicate whether the move was good or bad.
Artest started off the season struggling, as he had yet to find his spot on the team and the triangle offense. In the first month of the regular season, Ron averaged 9.7 points per game. However, as the season progressed and Ron got familiar with his new team, he became more effective and the Lakers were playing great. At the mid-point of the season, Artest averaged close to 11 points per game. The team was also looking very good and had a legitimate shot in winning the best record in the NBA. As the playoffs arrived, the Lakers slipped to the third best record and Artest too was slipping in terms of his play. His numbers were far less superior to Trevor Ariza’s, but he had a chance to prove the world wrong in the playoffs. Ron played pretty well in the first three rounds of the playoffs, but not extraordinary. He had a tough time shooting the ball and was not sharp on the defensive end. Artest’s downfall continued during the first five games of the Finals. The Celtics let Ron shoot threes, and he couldn’t knock them down. Ron stated that if the Lakers lose the title, “Blame it on me.” Artest played brilliant the next two games and his 20 points in Game 7 helped the Lakers win the title.
The 2009-’10 season for Ron Artest featured many ups-and-downs. He started off shaky, found his grove, then struggled again and finally led the Lakers to a title. Some consider Ron to be the MVP of Game 7, and without him the Lakers may not have won the championship. With all that said, I give Ron Artest a grade of a C+ for his play in the season. He may have won the Lakers Game 7, but his inconsistency and poor shot selection definitely hurt them also.
Next: Lamar Odom…
Lamar Odom:
Lamar Odom had a hectic season both on and off the court. First of all he just came off his first NBA Championship when the Lakers beat the Magic. And then he married reality TV star Khloe Kardashian. However, Lamar had to quickly change gears into basketball mode, if he wanted to win his second title.
Odom has been a very important player for the Lakers off the bench. He usually grabs key rebounds and makes many hustle plays throughout the course of the game. In the 2009-2010 season Lamar averaged 10.8 ppg and 9.8 rpg. However, his numbers slipped during the playoffs, and he only averaged 10+ points in one series. Reminiscent to his childhood friend, Ron Artest, Lamar was ineffective in the first five games of the Finals. When the Lakers returned back to Los Angeles, Lamar stepped up; in Game 6 he had 10 boards and in Game 7 he had 7 points and 7 rebounds.
Lamar Odom had a good regular season and a mediocre playoff performance; his play has earned him an B-. Odom was a key reserve for the Lakers and his versatility was well needed in the Finals.
Next: Pau Gasol…
Pau Gasol:
The legend of Pau Gasol continues to grow in Los Angeles. Since that infamous trade back in 2008 that brought the seven foot Spaniard to the Lakers, the team has reached the NBA Finals three years in a row, winning two of them. There is no question that he is a vital piece of this potential dynasty, and may one day go down as one of the best players to wear the purple and gold.
During the 2009-2010 season his contributions were again overlooked. He was injured for much of the start of the season, and he was clearly missed in the Lakers rotation. Upon his return, however, Gasol propelled the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference and made his second consecutive All-Star Game. Once the playoffs began, Gasol became a superstar. From his series-clinching shot against the Thunder to his immeasurable contributions in Game 7 against the Celtics, Gasol was the catalyst for the Lakers.
For the season Gasol has earned a B grade. While he was clearly the second best player on the best team in the NBA, he was inconsistent at times. However, his ability to accept a back-up role to Bryant and his clear-cut emergence as the most skilled big-man in the NBA makes him an intricate part of a championship team.
Next: Andrew Bynum…
Andrew Bynum:
Andrew Bynum did a lot of growing up during the 2009-2010 season. Coming off two straight years of devastating knee injuries, Bynum was eager to prove his worth to the team. He definitely showed flashes of greatness, and has the potential to be a star center in the NBA, if he can stay healthy. Bynum again suffered a damaging knee injury towards the end of the season that limited him in the playoffs.
In the NBA Finals, however, Baby Bynum disappeared and a grown man took his place. Instead of succumbing to the injury and accepting defeat for the third straight season, Bynum played through the pain and was a crucial part of their victory over Boston in the NBA Finals. While Bryant won the Finals MVP, and Gasol and Artest were credited with much of the glory after Game 7, the Lakers would not have defeated the Celtics and won their second consecutive title without Andrew Bynum.
Due to the injuries and the inconsistencies throughout the season Bynum earns a grade of a C. While the potential is as high as it has ever been for the young center, until he is able to remain healthy throughout the season and into the playoffs he will be known as unreliable and injury-prone.
Next: Shannon Brown…
Shannon Brown:
Shannon Brown was another reserve guard for the Lakers who had a solid season. Brown filled in for many injured starters and was very impressive. With his extended minutes, Brown showed many people that he is capable of scoring 20 points.
In the games started Shannon averaged 15.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg, compared to 7.5 ppg and 2 rpg when off the bench. In the playoffs Brown played a key role in the Lakers’ wins and losses. In some games he would bring the Lakers energy and effort, while in other games he would be a non-factor. Brown averaged only 4.9 ppg and less than one assist. Similar to his teammates, Brown played poorly during the first five games of the Finals but then stepped up in Game 6 and 7. His acrobatic dunks and hustle plays helped the Lakers win the title.
Shannon Brown made most of his contributions when he was inserted into the starting five. However, Brown was very inconsistent during the playoffs, when it mattered the most. Shannon deserves a C for his play, and has to improve on his consistency on both ends of the court if he wants a better grade.
Next: Sasha Vujacic…
Sasha Vujacic:
The last three seasons have been a professional and emotional roller coaster for the Machine. In 2008, he worked his way into the good graces of Phil Jackson and subsequently, the Lakers’ rotation as Kobe’s primary backup. He did so by becoming a reliable knock-down shooter from beyond the arc and by adopting a gritty defensive style that took no prisoners. Sasha even played heavy minutes in the NBA Finals that year, contributing 20 points (7-10) in 28 minutes in Game 3 at home to help the Lakers get their first win of the series. However, for whatever reason, during the 2008-2009 campaign, he basically fell off the face of the purple and gold Earth. Granted, he battled through a couple of injury setbacks, but for the most part, Sasha was caught up in the midst of a major slump on the court.
Having contributed close to nothing towards the 2009 NBA title won against the Orlando Magic, the Machine found himself in Phil Jackson’s dog house entering the 2009-2010 season. In 67 games played this past regular season, he only averaged 8.6 minutes per contest and scored at a menial rate of 2.8 points per game. Simply put, things were not looking nearly as impressive as his girlfriend, tennis superstar, Maria Sharapova. However, in the Western Conference Finals against dynamic players such as Goran Dragic, the matchup dicatated that Phil call number 18 to the court, and in the ever so crucial Game 5, Sasha locked his former Slovenian national teammate down and effectively got inside his head. That mind game however, got the best of Kobe’s “little brother” in Game 6 when he nearly cost the Lakers a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter by launching an elbow straight into Dragic’s jaw as a result of some good old trash talking after which point, Goran went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit in half. I’d say he owes Kobe a hefty dinner at the very least for single-handedly stymying the Suns’ near comeback.
Oddly enough, during the 2010 NBA Finals, Sasha played a decent amount of minutes as Phil once again looked to him to stick Ray Allen so that Derek Fisher could get adequate breathers during such an intense series. He had one of his stronger games of significance in a long time in Game 6 with nine points (2-4 from deep), one steal, and solid defense on the perimeter. Despite his near (professionally) fatal gaffe against Dragic, I’m going to give Sasha a grade of C- because through all of the bickering with PJ and his slump, he seemingly kept his head in the game and when his services were called upon in critical situations, he stepped in and did the job that was asked of him. Entering the final year of his contract, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers retain the $5 million that he’s owed next season or if he’ll be moved as a part of some deal to address other roster needs.
Next: Jordan Farmar…
Jordan Farmar:
In what very well may prove to be his final year as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Farmar proved that he may be willing to be the starting guard on an NBA franchise. Farmar showed flashes of brilliance and heart, never more evident than in the NBA Finals when he was seen multiple times diving to the floor after the ball, sacrificing his body for the team and the glory.
Farmar still faced plenty of criticism for his inconsistency. At times he was a solid shooter from outside, but the made baskets seemed to go to his head and were quickly followed by a mental gaffe. If Farmar does want to lead an NBA team from the point guard position, he has a lot of maturing to do before he should be handed the keys to the car.
With that being said, however, Farmar was still an important part of the Lakers come-back in the Finals, providing strength and energy off the bench in Game 6 and hustle and heart in Game 7. The tandem of Farmar and Shannon Brown proved worthy replacements for Derek Fisher when the veteran guard needed a breather. Farmar’s solid but generally sporadic play throughout the season earns him a grade of a C, with plenty of room for improvement.
Next: Josh Powell…
Josh Powell:
There is not much to say for a player that received very little playing time. Forward Josh Powell was usually on the floor in garbage time for the Lakers, but stayed positive and encouraged his team from the bench. Josh put his ego aside and was always one of the first players giving congratulations and high-fives from the bench. That type of player is needed on every team, and their contribution is always under-appreciated.
Powell averaged 4 minutes in the Finals, putting up less than a point and assist a game. Powell also stayed under the radar and may be back next season. His size and mid-range shooting ability can help the Lakers if need be. His energy and willingness to accept a lesser role were crucial, but due to a lack of time on the court he receives a grade of D+. He didn’t get a lot of minutes, but his attitude and impact on the practice floor helped the Lakers win their second consecutive title.
Next: Luke Walton…
Luke Walton:
Walton faced one of the toughest years of his career in 2009-2010. He was constantly beaten up by injuries, and when healthy didn’t get a lot of time on the floor to obtain a rhythm. However, his team-first mentality is always appreciated and is something that any NBA team would appreciate.
While he will never win a three-point shooting contest or be an NBA All-Star, Walton is a serviceable player that can really help the Lakers on and off the floor. However, due to the constant injuries and an overall lack of opportunities this season, Walton earns a C grade for the season. He came alive in the Finals, and played crucial minutes against the Celtics while providing solid returns.
Next: DJ Mbenga…
DJ Mbenga:
At the core, the role and significance of a player such as DJ Mbenga is at most, two rungs above that of Adam Morrison on the ladder of value as far as the Lakers roster is concerned. However, if there is one great difference, it’s that Mbenga is a much more crucial player if there is an injury to Andrew Bynum as has been the case the last three years. In 2008, that burden of “fill in and just don’t mess it up” fell heavily upon the shoulders of Ronny Turiaf and Lamar Odom, which ultimately was what hurt the team most against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
DJ plays at a much different tone than Ronny and LO. Mbenga is a serviceable back-up big man and he proved that if he’s out on the floor, what you’re going to get is strong rebounding, shot blocking, hustle and the occasional drizzling of points. One of his stronger outings this past season came against the New Orleans Hornets last November during which he had 10 points (5-9), 12 rebounds and four blocks. Late in the year, when Andrew Bynum went down with the Achilles tendon injury, Mbenga was given a decent chunk of his vacated minutes. In April, at Minnesota, DJ had a solid offensive game with 11 points on 5 of 7 from the field.
Yes, the numbers are not ever going to cause your heart to skip a beat, but bottom line, this guy always stays ready to play. Championship teams need great chemistry and by all accounts, DJ’s teammates have nothing but good things to say about him and he’s even known to be a personal favorite of Kobe Bryant. Lastly, Mbenga also played a pivotal role in challenging Bynum every day in practice, especially in test runs returning from injury rest. Keeping the complete picture in mind, I’ll give the main man of “Bangin with Mbenga” a grade of C, a mark that I find fair and just.
Next: Adam Morrison…
Adam Morrison:
Morrison may have been the butt of the joke as the Lakers celebrated their title on Jimmy Kimmel Live, but Kobe Bryant gave the former Gonzaga star credit for accepting a lesser role for the good of the team. Morrison wasn’t an effective force on the floor this year for the Lakers, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t help the team.
Morrison worked hard on the practice court to push his teammates and provide a much-needed service from the bench. His impact on the team off the court and the Lakers’ chemistry was certainly felt, and mentioned by Bryant. However, Morrison earns an INC. grade due to his lack of time spent on the floor for Los Angeles.
Thanks to Lakers Nation Staff Writers Stanley Park and Ramneet Singh for their contributions to this article.