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| Dwight to the Lakers should make this a really intriguing season. |
This offseason has been somewhat of a deja vu for me. Another NBA player that I really enjoyed watching and truly respected stole an offseason and turned it into a circus. The "Dwightmare," as NBA analysts cleverly named it, was a disaster for the Magic, Dwight Howard's reputation (the new LeBron?) and the Nets (thank god). But, it is over. We all can breathe a sigh of relief and actually look forward to the Lakers returning to the dominance they experienced in 2008 and 2009, well potentially at least. Here are a few scenarios that could lead the Lakers to their 17th championship or maybe in another direction, a not so good one.
A. It's All About Dwight, No, No, It's All About Kobe
As we've discovered last year, Dwight Howard's thought process doesn't match his glowing smile. The guy is a confused, self-absored individual which really isn't different from other NBA guys, but most of them aren't confused. Apparently, Dwight said that the Magic screwed him, but actually it's just because he's an idiot and can't decide on what he's going to have for breakfast let alone a major career choice.
With all that being said, his overwhelming personality could clash with Kobe's. Yes, Kobe is on his way out at 33 years old, but he isn't going to just let Dwight come in and make it "his" team. This has always been Kobe's team, well at least since the Shaq days. If these two enormous egos can't coexist in the locker room, then there is no way they're going to coexist on the court. There is far too much arrogance to go around with these two, but if they can put aside their glaring self-absorption then they should be just fine. But that "if" is about as big an "if" as there is in sports, not just the NBA. Kobe has said he will give the legendary Laker reins over to Dwight when the time is right, but we'll never know when and if that will ever happen.
Likelihood: 40%
Result: First/Second Round Exit
B. Pau and Dwight Just Ain't Right
There is no discussion here, this is THE best PF/C combo in the league. I dare someone try to debate me on that one. That doesn't mean automatic success, though. Dwight Howard doesn't just command the post, he swallows it whole both offensively and defensively. And while on the defensive end, that's a great thing, that on the offensive end is not always a pretty sight. Pau also likes to play in the post though he works his finesse game because he has no physical game. He can step back and hit the mid-range, but not effectively enough to just plant him in that spot and let him hit do his thing.
We've seen a problem with the front-court duo of Carmelo and Amar'e in New York, so this wouldn't be a new phenomena. But, you have to realize they have Steve Nash facilitating the ball, who could probably make two third graders look good out there. I also think that Dwight's physicality as opposed to Gasol's finesse will be a solid versatile combo. But Dwight is so unbelieveably awkward on offense at times that this duo could fall flat on their face.
Likelihood: 20%
Result: Western Conference Championship Loss
C. Well-Oiled Machine
There is a possibility the lineup of Howard, Gasol, Artest, Kobe and Nash could be one of the best team's we've ever seen. If all the parts work seamlessly both on and off the court, this team could repeat as champions without a doubt. There really is no one on the Heat that can guard Dwight but himself, though his own indecision is a pretty damn good defender.
Really what needs to happen for this team to reach its full potential is for everyone to let Steve Nash run the show. He literally doesn't need to shoot once in order for this team to be an absolute beast. Nash could average on the upside of 15 assists with the likes of Kobe and Gasol and Dwight's vertical. Defensively they should be great if Artest can stay sane and Dwight can just eat driving guards for dinner, which he will. This team could be scary if things go right, but knowing Dwight and Kobe, there's always a chance for serious disaster. I have a good feeling about this team though and I think this is a very possible scenario.
Likelihood: 65%
Result: NBA Champions
D. Kobe and Nash's Age Catch Up With Them
Both of these guys have lost a step, that's not debatable. Yet, we all know they are still elite players in the league despite their ages, Nash at 38 and Kobe at 33 and still can play at a high level for an entire season.
But we all know how easily Kobe's knee could give out or Nash can just fall victim to his late 30s. Though, I'd say there's a better chance Kobe gets hurt than the Canadian because Nash is just so seriously in shape. I don't want to think about these guys getting hurt because this team is going to be too intriguing to not have them to watch. But, with age comes more risk and neither of these guys are getting any younger. Let's just hope this doesn't happen.
Likelihood: 25%
Result: Disaster
E. No One Respects Mike Brown
This one is a lot more realistic than you think. Kobe was already seen last year telling Mike Brown his plays suck and other things along that line, so why wouldn't that continue? I get it on Kobe's end. I really do. He was under the tutelage of Phil Jackson, arguably the greatest and smartest coach in the history basketball, pro sports, whatever. Now he's getting coached by some guy less than 10 years older than him who has a track record of riding LeBron's coattails to a couple good seasons and one fat sweep in the NBA Finals? Yeah, not the easiest transition. I'd rather have Kobe coaching my team than Mike Brown I can tell you that.
Oh and then there's Dwight Howard who can be so immature at times that he's been seen ignoring a great coach like Stan Van Gundy because he was too interested in the jumbotron when his team's down 40. Why would he listen to Mike Brown when he didn't listen to Stan Van Gundy. This is probably the most dramatic of all the scenarios I put out, but would anyone be surprised? Absolutely not.
Likelihood: 30%
Result: First Round Exit
F. Ron Artest Loses His Mind
It could be argued that Ron Artest has already lost his mind, but at least he is still functional. Defensively, Artest is still a solid guy and would be an important piece to a championship. So if he's off playing with bees or trying to save the world and not focusing on basketball than the Lakers could have a problem.
Plus it would be hilarious if we saw Artest really lose his s**t. I'm not talking about elbowing James Harden in the head and then telling the world that Harden ran into his elbow. I'm talking about a full on, "found him in the Redwoods with some hippies" situation or something like that. I'm talking about full on out of his mind, almost vegetable status. That's what we all want to see.
Likelihood: 1%
Result: Who Actually Knows?
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