Oklahoma City Thunder still has edge over Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference â€" NBA Feature Part 1
The Los Angeles Lakers proved that they are one of the most successful teams when it comes to creating championship calibre rosters in the NBA with their amazing offseason recruits this summer.
The Lakers have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA in the past 10 years or so, winning 5 NBA Titles since 2001 and having made numerous other playoff appearances. Besides the San Antonio Spurs, they have been the most dominant franchise in the NBA since 2000. And they went one step further this offseason when they added All Star point guard Steve Nash and All Star centre Dwight Howard to the roster.
LAL were ousted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the Western Conference Semi Finals this year, leaving many to comment that their dominance in the west is now over with the arrival of the Thunder. However, the Lakers went into the offseason determined to restructure the roster, and first signed Steve Nash in a sign and trade with the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers then landed the deal of the summer earlier this month when they acquired Dwight Howard in a blockbuster four team trade that sent their up and coming big man Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers now boast Nash, Howard, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in the starting five, and are considered the favourites to win the NBA title next season. The Thunder, who spent years grooming their young talent and worked hard to become the number one team in the west last season, have been outdone by the Lakers in a matter of months.
Despite the fact that the Lakers are a great team on paper, i personally do not feel that the Thunder can be counted out yet. In fact, i personally choose the Thunder to come out of the West and go to the NBA Finals next season. The Lakers are a great team on paper and there is no doubt about that.
The stats of the four players mentioned above are good enough to convince any person that no team stands a chance against them. However, never before in the NBA has a team comprised of that many superstars. And in a team that is filled with superstars, there are always compatibility issues.
The Lakers have not played a single game together yet, and until they hit the floor, it is impossible to comment on their success because it will take a lot of hard work for these four players to play alongside each. Nash, Howard and Kobe have grown accustomed to being the team leader on the floor, no matter where they play. Nash was the face of the Suns, Howard that of the Magic where as Kobe Bryant is the man who calls the shots for the Lakers on the floor.
These players are used to being the centre of the team, the person through which the offence is run. And when they take the floor next season, all three will have to take a step back as far as their personal game is concerned and try to play within the overall game plan of the team. The Lakers coach Mike Brown has a tough job ahead of himself to somehow make sense out of this roster and create a game plan that utilizes the strengths of the team.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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