3: The bench responds after dismal 2011-12 season
The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the worst benches in the league in 2011-12, and the team rarely had success when the reserves were on the court. The pressure to score and play defense was all on the starters and that took a lot out of the players. Bryant had to play more minutes than usual, and at this stage of his career, it was not really something Kobe wanted.
There were no reserves who could offer Kobe some rest while at the same time keeping a high level of play on the court. In previous years, the Lakers had Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic, who were able to score, but both of them have found homes elsewhere.
In 2012-13, the Lakers front office did a great job adding talent to the bench highlighted by the addition of Antawn Jamison. The Lakers also brought in Jodie Meeks, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark. Jamison is a proven veteran who will do whatever the coaches ask him to do, and he is already familiar to Mike Brown, someone he played for in Cleveland.
Meeks is a lethal three-point shooter who is a great back-up shooting guard for Kobe Bryant. As for Duhon and Clark, they were part of the Howard deal and can contribute to this Lakers squad.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981tKFPoasE&feature=plcp
Next Page: Number Two
