For some reason, a defending champion off-season seems a lot shorter than that of a off-season where one does not win the ultimate prize.
In a Summer that was pretty quiet outside the Ron Artest signing and a Odom/Kardashian wedding, the Lakers look poised for a repeat. Tonight, they kick-off their title defense against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.
One big change is at the small forward position. Ron Artest takes the spot of Trevor Ariza, who signed with Houston this Summer. Artest does come with baggage, but he also comes with a lot of skill. Especially on the ball defense and toughness. Now it won't be necessary for Kobe Bryant to guard the other teams best player, but let's face it, Kobe will ask for that challenge and will most likely be given the challenge when Phil Jackson feels its neccessary. Statistically, players such as Lebron James, Camelo Anthony, and Paul Pierce, had their numbers go down when guarded by Artest, so thats only good news for the Lakers and bad news for everyone else.
What else has changed for the Lakers? Nothing, except if talk about how Jordan Farmar changed his jersey from #5 to #1. The Lakers have returned everybody from the team that won the Finals. Kobe, Pau, Lamar, and Fish have all returned. Also a healthy Andrew Bynum is ready to prove that he can be a force in the league.
Tonight's game will be the debut of Ron Artest, but most importantly, the Lakers will hang another banner and will recieve their rings. The game itself will be an average game. The Lakers will most likely be without Pau Gasol, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and the Clippers will be without #1 draft pick Blake Griffin, who suffered a stress fracture in his left knee. So the Lakers will need to wait a couple more days to get their starting lineup on the floor and the Clippers will need to wait for the future of their franchise to help them.
It's great that Lakers basketball is back. Tune into TNT at 7pm for the hanging of the banner and ring ceremony. The quest for a repeat starts tonight.
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