NBA Pre-season win predictions: Western Conference, Pacific Division
By Brian Boake
Oct 8, 2015; Ontario, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Bismack Biyombo (8) hangs on to the ball in between Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) and forward Metta World Peace (37) in the fourth quarter of the game at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Raptors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers
Last season: 21 – 61
This season: 24 – 58
The Lakers have the services of Kobe Bryant once again, for his 19th season. He played in 41 games total the last 2 seasons. Kobe will demand defensive attention, and also the ball. Julius Randle is playing in his true rookie year, after playing 14 minutes before breaking his leg. Roy Hibbert wants to revive his career, after his performance fell off a cliff in Indiana.
Sweet Lou Williams, fresh off his Sixth Man of the Year award as a Raptor, will get to fire away from every corner of the hardwood. D’Angelo Russell was the #2 selection out of Ohio State.
What does all this seemingly disparate data add up to? A team where most of the players are strangers to each other, and are either too old or too young. They might resemble a unit by year’s end, unless Kobe has taken half their shots and objected publicly to playing with kids.
Next: Too many pieces to fit together