Los Angeles Lakers 2001-02 Capsule
COACH: Phil Jackson (third season, 668-234 overall)
LAST SEASON: 56-26, first in Pacific Division, won NBA championship
ARRIVALS: G Mitch Richmond (free agent), G Lindsey Hunter (trade with Milwaukee), F Samaki Walker (free agent)
DEPARTURES: F Greg Foster, F Horace Grant, G Tyronn Lue, G Isaiah Rider, G Ron Harper
SLAM DUNKS: The dynamic duo of C Shaquille O'Neal (28.7 ppg, 12.7 rpg) and G Kobe Bryant (28.5, 5.9, 5.0 apg) dominated the league en route to a second consecutive NBA title last season and there is no reason to believe it won't happen again. No one has found a way to stop O'Neal. He is just too large and skilled to be handled 1-on-1. Bryant seems to get better with every season, working his way toward Michael Jordan status. Richmond (16.2) offers a legitimate and consistent outside threat, potentially making a smooth road even smoother. G Derek Fisher (11.5, 4.4 apg) was third on the team in scoring last season and has explosive ability. However, he is out until at least December. F Rick Fox (9.6, 4.0 rpg) and F Robert Horry (5.2, 3.7) won't overpower opponents but are savvy veterans who provide solid options.
AIRBALLS: Richmond isn't getting any younger and the Lakers already have aging veterans in G Brian Shaw (5.3, 3.8). With Horry moving into the starting lineup, the Lakers have minimal size on the bench. When O'Neal gets into foul trouble, that can be a major problem against tough Western Conference opponents that have lots of size up front. O'Neal is still bad at the free-throw line and teams love to exploit that weakness.
IN THE ZONE: The Lakers are going to shatter zones all season. Opponents need to focus their interior defense on O'Neal, but that just leaves the perimeter open for Bryant to shoot or slash. Richmond has built a stellar career primarily as a shooter while Horry and Fox can both shoot from outside. G Lindsey Hunter (10.1, 2.7 apg) will give the Lakers yet another viable option from the perimeter.
OUTLOOK: Los Angeles seems to have less weaknesses than a year ago. O'Neal and Bryant make the Lakers the only team in the league with two legitimate MVP candidates. Horry and Fox have six rings between them and know how to play at a championship level. Unless an injury sidelines O'Neal or Bryant for an extended period of time, it is the Lakers' championship to lose.
