Predicting the Pacific Division Standings

3. Los Angeles Lakers

Let the hate begin. The Lakers were third in the Pacific Division for the first time in a long time, and the off-season didn’t go as planned. Dwight Howard left the Lakers for the Houston Rockets, Earl Clark signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers,

Mar 22, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) and point guard Steve Nash (10) in the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at the Staples Center. Wizards won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

and Metta World Peace was amnestied, which led to the Lakers signing Chris Kaman, Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Elias Harris, Jordan Farmar, and drafting Ryan Kelly.

As I’ve said many times on this site before, I don’t have very high expectations for the Lakers this coming season. Kobe Bryant may be out for some time with his torn Achilles, Gasol and Nash could be on minutes restrictions, and a bunch of newcomers, the team is going to have a bumpy, and possibly drama filled season again.