In what is now sadly begining to look like an annual tradition, the Lakers ended the 2006/2007 season falling to the Phoenix (who knew that was so hard to spell?- took me 4 tries) Suns in 5 games. Thus Laker players (and fans) have had an extra long offseason to think about what might have been and what may be next year.
Well, finally 'next year' is almost upon us. Two weeks from tonight, October 30th 2007, at 7:30 PM (PT) the Lakers take on the Houston Rockets and thus begin their 2007/2008 campaign. The only question is whether one Kobe Bean Bryant will be wearing the purple and gold. Okay, I lied. Thats not the only question. Who will back up Fisher at PG? Will Lamar be ready to go? Is Phil really going to start Ronny? Who's starting at center? Mihm? Bynum? Kwame? So far the preseason has created more questions than answers.
Undoubtedly however, the number one topic in Los Angeles right now, and in Sportsnation in general, is Kobe Bryant. Will he play? Will he holdout? Did he really clean out his locker? The speculation is rampant. Who could have seen this coming? Okay don't answer that.
My take on the whole situation: there will be a #24 in purple and gold come opening night. Kobe is too media savvy and image concious to risk a holdout. The front office is too cautious to risk a huge trade in the near future. Everyone is going to wait things out and see how the first month of the season goes. If the Lakers start off well- and people seem to forget, the Lakers were a good first half team last year, before injuries decimated the roster- then who knows what will happen. They say winning solves everything, and I tend to agree. If the season begins badly, things will get ugly, and fast. So for those wondering if they will still see Kobe in a Lakers uni' come March, after the trade deadline, I think the answer really depends on how well the Lakers are doing. Remember, Phil Jackson is a master at coaching these kind of situations. As long as the team is winning he will keep Kobe calm and steady the ship. But if injuries set in, and the loses pile up, the whole team could impode. No pressure or anything though guys.
Thats all for tonight, here are a few links that are sure to interest Laker enthusiasts:
Kobe quickly answers a few questions outside the Lakers training facility today
Interesting Article by Marc Stein
An ESPN "roundtable" on the whole Kobe deal. (note: if you are alergic to the sports media, read ESPN, overblowing and fabricating non-stories, skip this link)
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