Kwame Brown

He has always been under fire for his poor shooting and even worse finishes around the basket. How can a 7’0” center not be able to dunk? For those who are not aware, KWAME BROWN HAS SMALL HANDS. He happens to be one of the few NBA players who struggle to grip a ball with one hand. Although his offensive game has been a failure, his defense is actually half decent. He is a great precense in the paint and only getting better. Once Tex Winters figures out exactly how to use his size to keep guards from attacking the lane on a pick and roll, the Lakers should be quite successful.

Andrew Bynum

After a tough second season, expectation are higher than ever. He performed half decently during the previous season and clearly improved as the year went along. Unfortunately, it almost begins to look that he’s reached his peak. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kobe’s critique over the summer has clearly motivated him to mature and get to work. Let’s not forget, Andrew Bynum may be an NBA player, but he is still 19 years of age. He has long arms and is still rumored to be growing. This will be the year that we determine whether he is truly worth not trading for Jason Kidd, Jermaine O’neal and possibly even Kevin Garnett. Good luck Andrew!

Lamar Odom

Many critiques have been flying his way since the day he’s been traded. Finally overcoming his reputation in LA as a Clipper years back constantly being involved in drug related issues and arrests, he has grown up like no other Laker. With the sad loss of his son, grandmother, and robbery in Central Park, a man tends to grow up very quickly. After briefly considering retirement last year, he came back to the Lakers for a year full of injuries. Surgeries are done, shoulder will shortly be recovered, and Lamar is ready to go. As the second option behind Kobe, we all expect him to truly step up this year and show us why he’s making $13,000,000 this year.

Vladimir Radmanovic

Simply put, a complete failure in his first year with the Lakers. We all know how superior of a shooter he can be as shown by his days with the Sonics. He played half a season with the Clippers and shot lights out. Apparently that was a good enough reason to pay him $32,000,000 for five years. After missing the second half of last season due to a moronic snowboarding accident, is he going to return and redeem himself as being worthy of the money? Judging by game one of the preseason, I’d say he is fairly motivated to win over the fans. His issues with his shooting hand have been resolved and he is in game shape. He has spent plenty of time studying the triangle offense and is ready to drill some jumpers. With 20 points on 5 for 7 shooting from behind the arc, I believe we might finally get something out of him.

Luke Walton

Congratulations Luke!! You have earned your enormous six year contract and I am happy that Mitch finally made a good deal. He is the only player on the Lakers that has never been under fire for a single thing. Has anyone ever heard anything bad about this guy? He shot outstanding from behind the arc last year, promoted team chemistry, and was an incredible roll player. I look forward to another great season by “LLLLUUUKKKKEEEE”!!

Jordan Farmar

Year 2! His rookie season was a great success. How many rookies ever became starters under Phil Jackson? I think that’s enough to show that he surpassed all goals and made sure everyone recognized that he was well worth the 26^th pick. A local celebrity growing up at Taft High School, building his game at UCLA, and then being the ultimate hometown hero playing for the Lakers, everybody loves this guy! He has plenty of competition coming up from rookie Javaris Crittenton but he should be alright based on the fact that he knows the offense a lot better with a year of experience.

Javaris Crittenton

Rookie is in the house. Obviously the new guy on the block, but we all have high expectations. He is a clever point guard and has already shown plenty of potential. He has size, which Phil Jackson clearly likes to see, and he knows how to open the floor. He manages to make plays for his teammates and gives everyone an opportunity. But, the most impressive thing is that he knows how to get to the line. In game one of the preseason against the Warriors, he was 7 for 7 from the line beating Jordan’s 6 for 6. Both were impressive and this will be a fun experience for both players to compete for minutes.

Chris Mihm

Amazing news everyone, Chris Mihm has managed to stay in the game for fifteen minutes, WITH ONLY 2 FOULS! Maybe sitting out an entire year motivate him to learn how to keep his distance. Whatever the reason may be, I really hope that he steps up as the veteran center on the team and teaches the younger guys a few things. Bynum has the opportunity to learn a lot from Mihm and lets hope that they become very close as the season progresses. Mihm should get plenty of minutes this season, as long as his ankle holds up, and it will be nice to have another alternative in the middle.

Ronny Turiaf

He has been the main topic of blogs over the last few days for his impressive play and enthusiasm. Rumors have started to swirl about him becoming a starter into the regular season bumping Lamar to the three and Walton to the bench. This may be a good idea to get some enthusiasm and energy into the game right from the tip. Lets hope this experiment works out, its like a free test, if it works out, great, if not, we weren’t using him all that much anyways!

Brian Cook

There isn’t much to say about Cookie besides the fact that its time he starts to move. He’s always been a spot up shooter with a fast release, but unable to facilitate the offense. I hope I’m not the only one that wants to pull my hair out every time he misses a three pointer wishing he was either benched or moved in a good twenty feet closer to the basket. I don’t remember the last time I saw this guy dunk. Step up Cookie, this is your time. Prediction: he will be traded before the deadline at mid season since he is a great commodity with a smaller contract.

Derek Fisher

Welcome back Fish. He will be absolutely amazing as a Laker once again. He was always a fan favorite! Who can forget 0.4? He has never been known for extraordinary defense but he does take a lot of offensive fouls and even more importantly provides leadership to a young team. Coming out of the same draft class as Kobe, they are great friends and this will be successful no matter what. I can’t wait to see how he has grown over the last four years without the purple and gold.

Kobe Bryant

I saved him for last because he is the easiest to discuss. As long as he remains a Laker, he will be successful. He will never lose purposely, as we have clearly learned this summer, HE HATES TO LOSE! With Kobe on the team, we always have a chance to win a championship. This season relies heavily on how the players will step up around Kobe as opposed to how well Kobe will perform as a team player. He will get the job done, but not without teammates.

WOW, I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS SEASON PLAYS OUT! WILL THERE BE ANY TRADES TO IMPROVE THIS TEAM? WILL EVERYONE STAY HEALTHY FOR A FULL SEASON? WILL THEY FINALLY WIN 50 GAMES? WILL THEY MAKE THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS? WILL KOBE BE A LAKER IN 2008? STAY TUNED…