Starring Kobe Bryant as “the face of the franchise,” he is an aging star fighting for his place among basketball immortality. Now in his final years, Bryant is often referred to as the Lakers “closer,” facilitating the offense and striking at the heart of the opponent just in time to deliver the knock-out punch. This is the Lakers formula for success, when Bryant strays outside this formula, whether by necessity or not, the Lakers suffer; for the Lakers to succeed he needs to stick to what works best.
Co-starring Pau Gasol, as “the first officer,” he has the responsibility of carrying the bulk of the mission responsibilities on his sometimes shaky shoulders. For the Lakers to accomplish their mission Gasol must not revert to his passive Memphis years, but instead demand that he be the Lakers number one option. He provides the balance on the offensive end which then dictates the pace and readiness on the defensive side. When the triangle starts with Gasol, the Lakers are nearly unstoppable.
Also co-starring Derek Fisher as “the Captain,” Fish must find the words to keep his crew focused and he must provide the steady hand to navigate this ship where few teams have gone before. Fisher just signed a three year contract, but as the core of up-and-coming point guard cadets in the Western Conference continues to deepen, Fish will have his work cut out for him. For the Lakers to flourish, Fish doesn’t need to be a st...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
