Will Kobe Bryant be helped by D'Angelo Russell so that he can get a memorable farewell run with the Lakers this year?
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The 2015-2016 Projected Roster
Point Guards: D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Marcelo Huertas
Shooting Guards: Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, Jabari Brown
Small Forwards: Nick Young, Ryan Kelly, Larry Nance Jr.,
Power Forwards: Julius Randle, Brandon Bass, Tarik Black
Centers: Roy Hibbert, Robert Sacre, Robert Upshaw
The Optimistic View
Kobe Bryant will come into this season with even more pride than ever as this season looks to be the final go around for one of the greatest players of all time. Slowly but surely, the Lakers have gotten themselves a solid core of young guys led by 2015 All NBA Rookie 1st team member and Fil-American Jordan Clarkson, 2015 2nd overall pick D'Angelo Russell, and 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle. They also got veteran Center Roy Hibbert to protect the paint and 2015 Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams to give them the needed scoring punch. Of course, Swaggy P Nick Young is still around. They even added Brazilian superstar Marcelo Huertas to suit up for them. They are not yet there but at least, they are progressing. And Byron Scott has historically done well with young point guards with superstar potential namely Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving. D'Angelo Russell looks poised to be added to the list.
The Realistic Expectations
If the Lakers are playing in the East, they will surely make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they play in the West. Can they make the playoffs? Yes. But it will be a tough climb. They really need their young guys to progress faster. And of course, they need some luck as well when it comes to Kobe's health, Hibbert's desire to play, and Lou Williams fitting in very well.
Bottomline
The Lakers will be at the very least competitive. Having Kobe around will help light the fire in terms of the competitive drive of these young guys namely Russell, Clarkson and Randle. Of course, that is hoping that they will be receptive enough of Kobe's mentality and swagger. How it will all work for them depends on how these guys would be willing to do more than what is expected of them.
Bold Predictions
The Lakers will not make the playoffs but will fight for the eighth spot until the very end of the season. The West is just too loaded but the Lakers will surprise people with their play. People will soon find out why D'Angelo Russell was picked over Jahlil Okafor. And Kobe Bryant will happily cap off his career with a healthier season than the past 3 seasons he has had. Fans all over the world will surely make Kobe feel appreciated throughout the season for everything that he has done for the game of basketball. This season will be most remembered as Kobe Bryant's farewell tour.
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