Lakers Nation writers really stepped it up today with some great articles, so it was hard to choose my favorites. But something I think that hasn’t emphasized that much about is the revamped coaching staff that matches this revamped team. Three new assistants will be joining returning assistants Darvin Ham and Chuck Person to complete the Lakers coaching staff. On Friday the Lakers announced the hirings of Eddie Jordan, Steve Clifford and Bernie Bickerstaff as assistant coaches for the 2012-13 season. Today’s post by Josh Sexton breaks down the new coaching talent and explains how they intend to bring the Lakers to a championship this year.
For a short breakdown, Steve Clifford coached the last 5 seasons with the Orlando Magic, and previously with the Knicks and Rockets. Bernie Bickerstaff has had an extensive career coaching basketball since 1973, in such places as Seattle, Denver and Washingston. Lastly, Eddie Jordan was mainly sought by the Lakers for his Princeton offense. I would almost like to include Mike Brown in this. Even though last season was his first, he wasn’t able to fully show what he had to offer, between a delayed season, and unhealthy Kobe, and a wishy-washy team. If anything, Brown has just as much to show as do the new coaches.
Speaking of analyzing next year’s potential, Howard is a big puzzle piece to the Lakers playing ability. So far, the big man is still recovering from his back injury. Mitch won’t allow the All-Star to come back to play without being 100 percent better. It is expected Howard will miss some playing time in order to rehab, but there is no timetable for his return.
The Lakers schedule this year starts off with some fierce competition, and each of the 2012-13 season offers new amounts of difficulty. For a complete breakdown of season month’s from easiest to hardest, click here for a post by Josh Sexton. April reigns in as the easiest, while March is the hardest. Check it out to see why.
Lakers Nation News
Mitch Kupchak says Howard’s Recovery is “on Track”
Mitch Kupchak on Lakers’ Starters: ‘I Wish They Were All 25’
Video: Lakers Locker Room Talk – It’s All About The Centers
Shaq Talks Dwight Howard: ‘You Have to Care to Have a Reaction’
The Lakers 89th Ranking as ‘Ultimate Franchise’: Is It Fair?
Lakers New Assistants: What They’ve Done And What They Can Offer
Ranking Each Month Of Lakers’ Schedule From Easiest To Most Difficult
Lakers News
Kobe Bryant and the Overprotective Lakers Fanbase [Silver Screen and Roll]
Hall of Fame: Jamaal Wilkes Video [Lakers.com]
Jordan, Clifford and Bickerstaff Join Lakers Coaching Staff [ESPN]
Metta World Health [Lakers Blog]
Lakers Announce Coach Staff Changes [Lakers.com]
Lakers’ Least Known New Coach May Make The Biggest Impact [Forum Blue and Gold]
3 Smaller Questions Looming Large for the Lakers [ESPN LA]
Jamaal Wilkes Finally Gets His Due [Land O’ Lakers]
Basketball Hall of Fame [NBA.com]
Lakers GM Cautiously Optimistic After Headline-Grabbing Offseason [SI.com]
LA Stories… [LA Lakers]
Lakers Hire Bickerstaff, Make Winning a Championship Even Harder … [Denver Stiffs]
Shaq Knocks Dwight… Again [CBS Sports]
Lakers Sign Robert Sacre, Complete Coaching Hires [Silver Screen and Roll]
Jamaal Wilkes Enters the Hall of Fame [Land O’ Lakers]
Lakers Make Significant Changes to Mike Brown’s Staff [ESPN LA]
NBA News
Isiah Thomas Could Have Job with Knicks but is Hesitant To Take It. For Now. [ProBasketballTalk]
Phil Knight Compared Michael Jordan to What Now? [ProBasketballTalk]
Sports Cards For Insane People: Upper Deck FaniMation, Where Athletes Are Murderers [SB Nation]
Which Players Nearing the End of the Road Will Get the Hall Call? [The Point Forward]
LeBron Broke Hearts in Cleveland, but ex-Browns Owner Art Modell Did Far More Damage [Yahoo Sports]
Chris Bosh Appears to Have the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy on His Slippers [Ball Don’t Lie]
The NBA Is Full Of Horrible Owners [SB Nation]
2012 NBA Player Rankings 141-160 [ESPN]
2012 NBA Player Rankings 161-180 [ESPN]
2012 NBA Player Rankings 181-200 [ESPN]
2012 NBA Player Rankings 201-220 [ESPN]
2012 NBA Player Rankings 221-240 [ESPN]
Reggie Miller Thanks Sister, Admits he Pushed Off on Greg Anthony as He Enters Hall of Fame [ProBasketballTalk]
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In case you missed it – Dwight Howard talks about starting over in Los Angeles.
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