Some might argue with me, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Lakers now have the toughest team in the NBA.  Few would argue that last year they had the most talented team headlined by Kobe and Pau, but now they have enhanced their 2nd unit with very good defenders.  We added Matt Barnes and Steve Blake who are two gritty players who play solid defense and neither is afraid to shoot the 3, when called upon.  According to Ron Artest, “Barnes is tougher than nails Tougher than a penguin on steroids Tougher than Richard Simmons trying to take off his spandex.” Theo Ratliff certainly has had his day in the sun, but the 15-year veteran can still block shots and be counted on for 10-15 minutes if needed to. 

With Lakers draft picks, Derek Caracter and Devin Ebanks shining brightly in the summer league, it looks like the Lakers have their roster.  Laker’s free agent Shannon Brown is still a question mark for the Lakers, but it isstill  possible as Ebanks or Character could spend some time in the D-league. 

Let’s review the tough lineup the Lakers look to feature in the 2010-2011 season

1. Kobe Bryant -- Do I need to explain?

2. Ron Artest -- Ruthless lock-down defender who enjoys challenging opponents in every game.

3. Derek Fisher -- He proved in the playoff he still has something left in the tank.  Ask Ray Allen or Rajan Rondo if Fisher is still tough! Still pound for pound, he is one of the toughest guys in the league.

4. Pau Gasol - Ask Kevin Garnett why he was only able get 3 rebounds in game 7 of the Finals.  Ask Garnett if he still thinks Gasol is Soft…

5. Lamar Odom- Very underrated defender and great rebounder. When the game gets edgy, Odom usually wakes up and steps up.

6. Andrew Bynum -- His dedication was questioned in the past, but his willingness to play injured in the playoffs this year speaks volumes.

7. Luke Walton -- When is not injured he likes to tangle with oponents.

8. Steve Blake -- Gritty and unselfish point guard who plays solid defense and like to set up his team-mates to score.

9. Matt Barnes -- Very good defender who gets tougher every year. Not too many players have the balls to throw the basketball at Kobe Bryant’s face.

10. Sasha Vujacic -- Ever wonder why most opponents dislike Sasha?  This annoying international hoopster is not affraid to get in his competitors face.

11. Theo Ratliff -- This guy was once one of  league leaders in shot blocks and he has always put defense first.  Another guy who doesn’t back down to opponents

It is clear to me that the lakers have focused on solidifying their defense and 2nd unit this summer.  At this point, the Lakers are more focused on maintaining chemistry than adding talent.  With the Lakers overlooking free agents like Tracy McGrady and Larry Hughes saying they will play for the league minimum, it’s obvious the Lakers are more concerned with complimenting their roster on the court and inthe locker room.  The only question I have is -- - Are you ready for a 3-Peat Los Angeles?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm3H6Sck_PI

The Lakers also signed veteran center Theo Ratliffon Thursday.  Barnes announced earlier in the week he was signing with the Toronto Raptors, but a sign-and-trade deal that would have paid him $9 million over two years fell apart.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkXN-MqenAI

Ebanks, at 6’9″, 215 pounds, is a rangy, perimeter defender who can slash and cut.  Historically he’s a poor three-point shooter but in the early games of the Las Vegas Summer League, Devin has shown an improved stroke.  With an uncanny resemblance to former Laker Trevor Ariza, Ebanks may get the opportunity to play a similar role off the bench for the Lakers.  “Everybody says that [about Ariza] but I’m just trying to play like Devin Ebanks.  Everybody says I look like him and we but I’m just trying to focus on me,” said the Ebanks.

Caracter is a little undersized at 6’9″ but listed at 265 he’s got a lot of body despite losing a considerable amount of weight.  Derrick has been an NBA prospect since high school before struggling to live up the hype at the college level.  He’s looking forward to putting those days behind him.  “With a last name like mine, they’ll never forget about the character issues.  Some say it’s good; some say it’s bad,” said Derek.  “What’s most important is that my family and friends know who I am.  I just go out here and prove to these people that I’m here and I’m here to stay.  I just take one day at a time.”

Both Ebanks and Caracter have to make the squad.  As second-rounders, their contracts won’t necessarily be guaranteed initially by the Lakers.  “For second-round picks they played well.  That’s what summer league is for to see what they can do,” said Kupchak.  “A lot of times if they play well at summer league what that really means is that they’re worthy of an invitation to veteran’s camp.  So that’s what they’re trying to do right now, get invited to veteran’s camp and so far so good.”  After two hot shooting nights to start the summer, Ebanks has cooled some.  Through four games, he’s averaged 16.0 points on 41.4% shooting with 1.5 steals a game.
Caracter notched three straight double-doubles before breaking the streak on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.  Through four, Derrick has put up 16.8 points a night on 60.4% shooting with 9.3 boards and 1.5 blocks a game.  Right now Derrick is just focused on making it to and through training camp to the regular season with the Lakers.  “It starts off with finishing off strong the rest of my summer, getting invited to veteran’s camp,” said Caracter.  “Take one day at a time through the season and help in whatever way possible, whether it’s 15 seconds or 15 minutes -- try to help L.A. keep winning.”  Ebanks feels the same way. “I could have went higher [in the draft] but I’m happy I’m here.  I get a chance to play with the world champs -- hopefully I’ll make the roster.”  Kupchak is just happy that he has two prospects that have a real shot to make the squad, given L.A.’s draft position.  “They’re both high quality players.  It’s unlikely.  It’s kind of a function of where you’re drafted -- it doesn’t alwayswork out that way,” said Kupchak.  “Typically second-round picks have to work harder to make the roster -- so that’s what they’re going to have to do.”   Caracter wants to help the Lakers beat teams like the Miami HEAT.  He’s kept a close eye on the summer’s developments like the rest of the NBA. “You see guys now teaming up with each other just to get a ring.  It’s not an accident, those guys are like that.  It goes to show you that championships are important,” said Derrick.  “There are a lot of great players that are great but because they never won a championship, they were never held to a certain standard.”  By what they’ve shown so far in Vegas, both Ebanks and Caracter look promising.  Expect the Lakers to add both to the training camp roster in early October.  In the meantime they’ll just keep at it.  “Not settling.  Not settling for a little bit of success with what’s going on here,” said Caracter.  “Keeping my faith in God first and continuing to keep working hard and everything will fall into place.”
Article was written for HoopsWorld by ERIC PINCUS  Read the original article

The five-time NBA champion said he considered contract offers from several teams in the past two weeks after playing a key role in the Lakers’ championship repeat. He spoke with the Heat in South Beach last weekend, entertaining the prospect of running an offense for LeBron James Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who all left free-agent money on the table to sign teammates of Fisher’s ability.The idea was enticing, but not enough to uproot his family and career from Los Angeles, where he has spent 11 of his 14 NBA seasons. “At the end of the day, there’s one person I could not turn away from,” Fisher said. “Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts.”  While Miami has commanded the basketball world’s attention in the past week, Fisher’s decision is the second positive development already in July for the Lakers’ ‘threepeat’ hopes: Coach Phil Jackson also decided to return for another season 11 days earlier.

Fisher likely isn’t bluffing about larger offers from other teams. The Lakers’ payroll already is stretched to the limit of the salary cap with the rest of Los Angeles’ veteran core signed to multiyear contracts, including Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom.  But Fisher decided he valued winning and consistency over a late-career cash grab—and the other time he left the Lakers for a big-money deal, he endured two miserable seasons in Golden State and one better year in Utah before returning to the Lakers in 2007.

Fisher first joined the Lakers in 1996, when Jerry West drafted the unsung guard from Arkansas-Little Rock and the franchise nurtured him into a consistent playmaker and occasional scorer. Since his return to Hollywood, he has started every regular-season game for the Lakers over the past three seasons. Fisher averaged 7.5 points and 2.5 assists last year. Although he sometimes struggles against quicker point guards, Fisher still has the veteran guile and poise necessary to perform at important moments—and that’s the quality Bryant values most in his longtime teammate.  “We’ve got to have him back,” Bryant said last month shortly after the Lakers’ victory parade. “Fish knows we need him, and we know we’ve got to keep him.

Fisher raised his game in the postseason, starting all 23 games and averaging 10.3 points and 2.8 assists to help the Lakers win their second straight title. He was particularly effective in the Western Conference semifinals against Utah’s Deron Williams, and he largely matched the efforts of veteran Steve Nash(notes) in the conference finals against the Phoenix Suns.  Fisher’s return means the most significant parts of the Lakers’ championship roster will return this fall. General manager Mitch Kupchak now must hunt for bargains and unsung players to fill in the gaps on his bench, which wasn’t particularly deep last season.

Los Angeles let free agent Jordan Farmar leave for New Jersey on Monday after signing Steve Blake last week. Blake, likely to be Fisher’s backup, is overjoyed to join a talented veteran team, while Farmar is convinced he should be an NBA starter after four inconsistent seasons with the Lakers.  High-flying backup guard Shannon Brown opted out of his contract to become a free agent, but says he hopes to stay with the Lakers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwdQOEzuVYQ

After Brown opts out of a contract that would have paid him $2.15 million next season, the Lakers can give him a five-year deal worth up to an estimated $34 million, but he wasn’t much of a factor in the playoffs and will not get that big of a deal from his employers of the last 1 1/2 seasons.

The Lakers are contemplating offering Farmar a one-year, $3-million contract in order to avoid losing him as an unrestricted free agent. If they tender him the deal, known as a qualifying offer, he remains a restricted free agent and they have the right to match any offer sheet he signs with another team.  End-of-bench reserves Adam Morrison, DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell are not expected back. The Lakers will not heavily pursue any frontcourt players in free agency because they are cautiously optimistic about their second-round draft picks, small forward Devin Ebanks and power forward Derrick Caracter, and could employ them next season for $473,000 each.

One player who isn’t expected to leave is Andrew Bynum, whose name has been dropped in numerous trade rumors, all of which are “ridiculous” insinuations, according to a source familiar with the thinking of the Lakers’ front office.

At any rate, what can the Lakers spend this off-season?  Without including Brown, they have committed $81.6 million to only seven players on next season’s payroll and are already way over the salary cap for 2010-11, meaning their largest free-agent tool is the mid-level exception worth an annual average of about $6.5 million for up to five years.  The Lakers, however, do not want to spend their entire mid-level exception, which limits their purchasing power. They can sign a free agent for less than that, say two years and a total of $9 million, but are reluctant to dig too deep into the mid-level reservoir after having the league’s highest payroll last season ($91.3 million).
If the Lakers lose Brown and Farmar, they are interested in signing a point guard such as Steve Blake, Luke Ridnour or Earl Watson.   Blake is a pass-first point guard with a decent three-point touch, a 30-year-old veteran who made $4.25 million last season with the Clippers and Portland. He averaged 6.8 points and 6.1 assists in 29 games with the Clippers while shooting a commendable 43.7% from three-point range.  Ridnour, 29, made $6.5 million last season with Milwaukee and would have to take a steep pay cut to join the Lakers. He averaged 10.4 points and four assists last season.  Watson, 31 and formerly of UCLA, averaged 7.8 points and 5.1 assists last season for Indiana, but he has never been a great three-point shooter, averaging 33.1% in his career. Like Ridnour, he made $6.5 million last season and would have to take a sharp cut to return to Los Angeles.

Shooting guard Raja Bell, 33, is also a possibility despite playing only six games last season with Charlotte and Golden State. A steady outside shooter, decent defender and former nemesis of Kobe Bryant, Bell had his season cut short in November after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in his left wrist. He made $5.25 million in 2009-10.

The Lakers are near the top of the list of smooth-shooting forward Mike Miller, but he is coming off a contract in which he made $9.8 million last season and would want more than they can offer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddER7wyCcNo

Devin Ebanks

Lakers drafted smart in the second round yesterday by picking up University of West Virginia small forward, Devin Ebanks.  This kid plays very good man-on-man defense and was a solid rebounder.

• Birthday: 10/28/89
• NBA Position: Small Forward
• Class: Sophomore
• Ht: 6-8
• Wt: 208
• Hometown: Long Island City, NY
• High School: St. Thomas More

Strengths: Long and lean small forward possessing a ‘smooth’ game … His wingspan is incredible and he seemingly gets his paws on every ball … Prolific rebounder (8.5 RPG). Particularly innate offensive rebounder (3 per game) … Grabs boards outside of his area. Quick off his feet and anticipates caroms extremely well. Breaks for the ball before anyone else on the court … High percentage shooter, rarely takes a bad shot (47%) … Very soft touch around the basket. Crafty with a variety of release points … Knows how to get shots off in the paint … Exhibits excellent body control … Shows promise with his mid-range jumper … Gets good elevation and has picturesque shooting mechanics … Appears comfortable at the free throw stripe where he shoots 74% … Will occasionally take his game into the post and shoot over smaller defenders … Thrives in transition as he runs the floor very well and takes long, loping strides … Makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands … Good passer averaging 2.7 assists per game … Has the ability to see over the defense and find cutters … Versatile defender with the ability to guard multiple positions … Often matches up with the opponent’s top perimeter threat … Moves his feet pretty well for 6-9, and his length can bail him out if he’s beaten off the bounce … Long arms and quick hands net him a steal per contest … Has a fire in his eyes at the defensive side, something very rare.

Weakness:  Right now, he has no 3pt shooting.  There were games last year where he simply doesn’t look at the basket.

Derrick Caracter

While Caracter has shown flashes of development in other areas of his game, he is still incredibly reliant on his post game, as 80 of his 142 charted offensive possessions on Synergy were of the post-up variety. Looking to the NBA, he will need to diversify his game some to find a long-term niche in all likelihood, and should probably look at fellow under-the-rim banger Craig Smith as a player to model himself after. Improving on his ability to finish off cuts and pick-and-rolls by using his massive body to seal out defenders and create angles is something that could help him contribute in multiple ways in the pros.

Defensively, Caracter has an improved effort level and focus this season, though there are still many things holding him back from being an effective defender. In the post, he actually shows decent fundamental in man-to-man situations, getting into his opponent and using his strength to hold position well. That said, with very little lift and a weak standing reach, he’s very prone to being shot over, and can be outmaneuvered by quicker opponents as well.