5 Things That Can Go Right This Season
By Blair Hicks
3) Being Competitive in the West
A healthy and more selfless Kobe Bryant, a focused Pau Gasol, and a healthy and comfortable Steve Nash equals a playoff bid. The production of the new acquisitions and relatively good health could be the difference between a 7th seed and possibly a top 4 seed. There are plenty of question marks about the Lakers, but the other teams of the West have issues as well.
How will Russell Westbrook return? Is Jeremy Lamb ready to be counted on in OKC? Will the Spurs have a hangover? Will the Dave Joerger era in Memphis be a disaster? What remains of the Denver Nuggets’ implosion? How will all the roster and coaching changes play out for the Clippers?
The Western Conference is far from settled and a renewed attention to the regular season could mean a surprise Lakers’ run. A Bryant/Gasol/Nash triumvirate eager to show they aren’t washed up combined with young, impressionable, talents eager to salvage their NBA careers could be just the alchemy needed to shock the league.