Apr 10, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) steps back from Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kobe Bryant – Lakers Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 27.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6 assists per game,
There were very little signs of Bryant declining as an NBA player in his 17 season. Bryant was named to the All NBA 1st team, finished 3rd in scoring and 5th in voting for the MVP. Despite his age and long tenure, Bryant exceeded his career averages in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounding, scoring and assists for this past season.
Bryant’s looked rejuvenated this past season, driving past defenders to get in the lane, finishing emphatically at the basket and appearing to get much of his lift back on his jump shot that wasn’t seen in the previous 2 seasons when he struggled with knee injuries.
The Lakers needed every bit of what Kobe was able to provide as they struggled out the gate due to acclimating to the coaching change of D’Antoni, being riddled with injuries and discontent in the locker room. Time and time again Kobe bailed a lackluster Lakers team with super human feats, insane stat lines and numerous late game heroics. Bryant was the main contributor in the Lakers surge in the 2nd half where they ended the season 28-12.
Bryant’s season ended in the 3rd to last game to the Golden State Warriors, when his tore his Achilles. Knowing the history of Bryant recovering from injury quickly there is no doubt that Bryant will return to the same exceptional level where he left off last season.
Bryant is still regarded as the best 2 guard in the game and based on what he showed last season, is still the best NBA player in Los Angeles.
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Final Tally
Lakers: 6 players
Clippers: 5 players
Surprisingly, the Lakers edge out the Clippers by having more talented players out of the top 11. Looking at it a little closer however, the Clippers have the majority of the talent where it is more important and that is at the top. Clippers have 2 of the top 3 and 4 of the top 6 players in Los Angeles. In addition, the Clippers’ players are younger and ascending in terms of their overall talent and place in the NBA, where most of the important Lakers players are towards the end of their careers and in decline. Having that better and younger talent at the top is what will likely lead to the Clippers fielding the better team and achieving more success this season.
What I believe this list shows is that the Lakers have far more depth of talent with all of their recent acquisitions than the perception that is out there by fans and the media. With a break out performance from a player like Wesley Johnson and sustained health from the main core of Nash, Gasol and Bryant, the Lakers could realistically top the Clippers this season. At the very least, they top the Clippers in our Top Eleven Players in Los Angeles.
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