Once again, our writers’ roundtable is back. With training camp just around the corner, in this installment we will cover what each Lakers starter needs to work on the most during camp. Here our the writers’ interesting responses:
What does Lakers PG Steve Nash need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Staying Healthy. If any member of the team’s starting five goes down with injury the implications are going to be huge. But I believe Steve Nash is the member they can least afford to lose. Remember, Dwight Howard is not the only one with a creaky back. What if Nash’s balky back costs him a significant part of the season? If an injury does derail Nash, the Lakers’ season could go up in smoke.
Suki Thind: Nash simply needs to work on getting acclimated with the new system offensively and defensively. Similarly, as the starting point guard, he’ll have to learn everybody’s “sweet spots” and how they prefer to have the ball delivered to them. Also, as he’ll likely be appointed team captain, he should get to know all of his teammates and their various personalities.
Elizabeth Benson: Steve Nash needs to get acclimated with his new teammates to determine how he will run plays with the most flow and efficiency. I don’t think Nash will have any problems throwing himself into the new Princeton Offense, and therefore should focus on ironing out the pick-and-roll/pop game with his other teammates. Nash will continue to be a highly efficient shooter that is not a question. However, I would like to see Nash work on his defense, which is his weakness, with Mike Brown, who is a defensive minded coach.
Jabari Davis: Nash will probably have the smoothest transition into this new role, as he is a distributor and team-guy by nature. That said, as a guy that has generally controlled the ball and flow of the offense exclusively, there will be times where Nash will have to adapt to Kobe Bryant’s necessity to “go to work”. Don’t get me wrong, as Nash will undoubtedly be the primary ball-handler. There will be a natural transition period, and I’m eager to watch it develop.
Next Page: Kobe Bryant
What does Lakers SG Kobe Bryant need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Making the proper adjustments. Make no mistake, this is still Kobe’s team, and the fourth quarter will still be Kobe time. But now that Dwight Howard is manning the middle, you can make the argument Kobe is no longer the best player on the Lakers. Additionally, he will have to acclimate to sharing the backcourt with a hall of fame caliber point guard. To accommodate his aging body, Kobe has been making adjustments to his game for years. Now he will have to make adjustments to playing alongside the most talented group of teammates he’s played with since being drafted by the Lakers. Knowing Kobe, he will rise to the occasion valiantly.
Suki Thind: For Kobe, I anticipate him making yet another change in his game this season. Perhaps he can focus on catch-and-shoot drills (I’m sure he already does plenty of these, anyway) more than his one-on-one game–just a little bit. He’ll arguably receive more open looks than he has in his whole career, so it would be beneficial for him to be able to make moves and score off-ball.
Elizabeth Benson: Kobe Bryant needs to take a step back and relearn how to play the traditional two-guard position. Unlike critics, I don’t think Kobe will be unwilling to hand some control over to Steve Nash. In fact, he has commented on how excited and probably relieved he is to return to his natural position. I would like to see Kobe to work on his catch and shoot accuracy because the presence of Nash and the Princeton O will create much more of catch and shoot opportunities for Kobe. This will be a bit of a different landscape for Kobe, who has been used to isolation plays for the last several years.
Jabari Davis: Bryant probably has the largest adjustments to make, as his role will be most impacted by the roster additions. Not only does Nash now become the primary ball-handler/play-maker, but Bryant actually (finally) has what the Lakers hope will be a viable back-up (Jodie Meeks) at his position. Let’s not fool ourselves, while Bryant has publicly acknowledged his eagerness to play a traditional scorer’s role, he’s still a natural born play-maker. It’s in his DNA, and it will be fun watching Bryant develop/create that balance. Like a kid with all types of brand new toys on Christmas morning.
Next Page: Metta World Peace
What does Lakers SF Metta World Peace need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Getting used to being ignored by opposing defenses. Thanks to sharing a starting lineup with Kobe, Pau, Dwight and Nash, opposing defenses may forget Metta is even on the court. This means World Peace will likely get more uncontested jumpers and open three-point looks than any player in league history. If he is able to take advantage of these open looks, the Lakers go from being really dangerous to incredibly dangerous. Also, don’t say anything too stupid. You know, like predicting the team will go 73-9…
Suki Thind: World Peace just needs to maintain the conditioning he’s supposedly been working on this off-season; when he finally got into shape towards the end of the season, he began to really play great. World Peace, to me, was the defensive captain on the team last season; the guy calling out picks and communicating on defense. I believe that when Metta’s defense is clicking, his offense tends to come along with it. There’s no question the Lakers love him exactly for that reason–defense–so if he can simply focus on making opposing players work on the offensive end, I think he’ll start the season off on a great note.
Elizabeth Benson: There is one word that sums up what Metta World Peace needs to work on in camp: conditioning. Last year’s lockout severely took its toll on Metta as his back problems that weren’t properly treated during the lockout affected practically every aspect of his game. It has been reported and witnessed that Metta is in the best shape he has been in since he arrived in LA and that he has lost weight while getting stronger. Consistent conditioning to ensure that he remains in this type of shape will benefit Metta in many ways. However, it will help with his defense and shooting form, which will be the two areas of highest impact for Metta this season.
Jabari Davis: MWP is one of the more intriguing parts of the mix, as he has become the ‘forgotten man’ of the bunch. Coming off what he would agree was a sub par 2011-2012 season, MWP is reportedly in the best shape of his life. Dedication to the defensive end will be his focus, but the addition of a point guard as masterful as Nash should also help MWP return to form on the offensive end. The new offense should actually generate all types of backdoor movement and off-ball cuts that will free MWP up for plenty of mid-range and slashing action.
Next Page: Pau Gasol
What does Lakers PF Pau Gasol need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Playing with his old mojo. Pau Gasol now knows his place as the Lakers’ starting power forward is safe. The Spaniard survived all of the trade rumors that have haunted him the last year. Gasol certainly didn’t play bad last season (he averaged a career-low in points per game), but he certainly didn’t play with the same fervor he did in previous seasons. Knowing he is safe from trade rumors, and getting to play alongside Nash and Howard, will hopefully result in a rejuvenated Pau.
Suki Thind: Gasol needs to work on asserting himself offensively. Although the Princeton offense should utilize the complete repertoire of moves Gasol has, he has to be aggressive on the offensive end of the floor. He’ll have to fill in for Dwight Howard at the center position for a while, so hopefully that will get him in a good rhythm. For training camp, it would be a good idea if he, Nash, and Kobe put their highly intelligent basketball brains together and came up with some offensive plays that utilize all of their incredible skills.
Elizabeth Benson: Pau Gasol has survived numerous rumors and close calls on leaving the Lakers via a trade. With Nash’s presence in the lineup, there are some pretty high expectations for Pau this season. Pau needs to work with Nash to develop an effective pick-and-roll/pop game. Additionally, Pau needs to continue to work on his jump shot, as I have a feeling he will have a ton of opportunities for open looks. As with the last few seasons, I think Pau needs to work on his aggressiveness as far as inserting himself on defense.
Jabari Davis: Much was made of Gasol’s productivity and usage during last year’s breakout season for Andrew Bynum, but I find it difficult to believe averages of 17ppg/10reb as a 3rd option should be dismissed. Folks are accustomed to seeing Gasol work from the post (primarily), but outside of potentially filling in for a healing Dwight Howard to start the season that may be a thing of the past. That isn’t to say Gasol isn’t fully capable of still providing such output. I, for one, commend and appreciate Gasol’s willingness to adapt his game while adjusting to a new role. Part of why Mitch Kupchak was an absolute genius during the off-season is because he was also able to hold on to Gasol. He’ll certainly come in handy if Howard isn’t fully available to start the year.
Next Page: Dwight Howard
What does Lakers C Dwight Howard need to work on during training camp?
Josh Sexton: Getting used to the pressure cooker that awaits him. Outside of rabid Lakers fans, there are not too many people who care for Dwight Howard at the moment. And to be honest, I really can’t blame them. His wishy-washy antics the last couple of seasons were way more selfish than LeBron’s “Decision” ever was.How will Howard handle the backlash of everything that has transpired over the last year? Will he take it in stride, or will it get into his head the same way it did LeBron’s during his first year with the Heat? Forget his injured back. Do Lakers fans have to worry about Howard not being healthy mentally next season? Let’s not forget the comparisons he will receive to former, great Lakers centers and whether or not he will sign an extension to stay with the Lakers.Let’s hope Superman brings his “A” Game both physically and mentally next season.
Suki Thind: Get healthy. It’s as simple as that. Howard needs to get his back to 100 percent before returning to the floor. In the meantime, of course, he should be learning the new system and getting to know his teammates–especially Kobe Bryant.
Elizabeth Benson: Dwight Howard must not rush his recovery to get back on the court, which he has already ensured he won’t. It has been reported that Howard is working on his footwork with Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This will be essential since Howard will be the first or second option on offense. He needs to adjust to the fact that the Laker offense will have multiple options on any given play, unlike in Orlando where he carried the team on offense and defense. He needs to study and learn the Princeton Offense and Mike Brown’s defense system especially.
Jabari Davis: Howard is the one player with something to “work on”, as he simply needs to continue strengthening his back and working towards returning to full health. I may be an outsider in thinking this way, but I wouldn’t mind the Lakers taking as much time as needed with Howard’s recovery. No need to rush him back, as (mentioned earlier) Gasol can provide plenty from that position in his absence. Howard should use training camp to further become acclimated with his new surroundings, teammates, and circumstances. With, by far, the most talented collection of teammates Howard has ever played with, it will be intriguing to see how Howard adjusts to no longer having to be the only true focal point while on the court.