Los Angeles Lakers 2006-07 Season Preview

Led by the coaching of Phil Jackson and the heroics of superstar Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers finished 45-37 last season and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

The Lakers blew a 3-1 lead in the first round against the Phoenix Suns. They fell in seven contests and were eliminated in the opening round for the first time since 1996, when they fell in four games, 3-1, to the Houston Rockets.

Bryant had an MVP-type season, while Jackson returned to the Lakers bench after a one-year hiatus. The Lakers also got a decent season from forward Lamar Odom and a surprising campaign from guard Smush Parker.

Bryant, who scored an unbelievable 81 points on January 22nd against Toronto, made his first trip to the postseason without All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal, who was traded to Miami in July 2004, by his side. An eight-time All- Star, Bryant proved that he can carry a team on his back.

The 28-year-old Bryant, who won three championships with O'Neal and Jackson (1999, 2000, 2001), led the league in scoring (35.4 ppg) last season. He was a one-man show and continued to build his legacy with his clutch performances.

Odom, who acquired from Miami as part of the Shaq trade, was second on the club in scoring (14.8 ppg) and led the Lakers in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and assists (5.5 apg). The 6-4 Parker, who has also played for Cleveland, Detroit and Phoenix, surprised most with his excellent season, as he played in all 82 games for the Lakers and averaged 11.5 points and 3.7 assists per contest.

The Lakers lost swingman Devean George, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent during the offseason. However, forward Vladimir Radmanovic left the Clippers to sign with the Lakers. The 6-10 Radmanovic is dangerous from the perimeter, as he shot 39 percent from beyond the arc last season in 77 games for the SuperSonics and Clippers.

The new season of the Kobe show opens on October 31st at home against reigning MVP Steve Nash and the Suns.

BACKCOURT

It's all about Kobe. The Lakers' success is on Bryant's shoulders, and the superstar guard knows that this is his team. Win or lose, Bryant will get the credit or the blame.

Parker shocked the Lakers and the rest of the league last season. He proved that he can score and his athleticism was also an added bonus. Sasha Vujacic, 34-year-old Aaron McKie and rookie Jordan Farmar, who was selected out of UCLA with the 26th overall pick in the 2006 draft, will compete for playing time.

Bottom line here is that it all falls on Kobe. He will be expected to once again do it all.

FRONTCOURT

With the exception of Odom, the Lakers' front line has a lot of questions marks. Odom, who turns 27 on November 6th, is versatile. The 6-10 Odom can handle the rock and is solid in all facets of the game. He has jelled with Bryant, which is what the Lakers were hoping for when they acquired him.

The addition of Radmanovic should really help the Lakers. His ability to drain the three will stretch defenses even more and should make Odom more of a threat. Teams will double-team Bryant no matter who is on the court, but another threat from the outside will make life a lot easier in the low post.

A healthy Chris Mihm, who averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 59 games last season for the Lakers, is critical for the Lakers' frontcourt. He does a lot of the little things that helps teams win. The 7-0 Mihm is strong off the boards and can score around the hoop.

Twenty-four-year-old Kwame Brown, who emerged in the postseason, Brian Cook and Luke Walton are all role players for the Lakers. They know its Kobe's show and they are on the court to do the little things that help teams pick up victories.

OUTLOOK

The Lakers have the best player in Los Angeles, but do they have the best team? The Clippers have made this an interesting rivalry with their new found success.

Because of the unbelievable talents of Bryant, the Lakers can win 45-48 games and should once again be in the postseason. Any success in the playoffs will depend on Kobe.

It's all about Kobe!

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

JR Pinnock news:
• Lakers sign JR Pinnock

Smush Parker news:
• Smush Parker Basketball Camp

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery