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Teams Too Tough For LA? By Karen (Main Writer) With the new season starting in a couple months, I figure it�s about time to write a new article. This one�s gonna be about the improvement of other teams and how that will affect the Lakers in the 2001-2002 NBA season. To me, it seems that one of the most improved teams is the Orlando Magic. With the most improved player in the league plus rookie of the year in addition to other great players, they sure look like they will dominate the East. This offseason, Orlando acquired on of the best power forwards from the West, Horace Grant. If all you guys didn�t notice, yes, Horace Grant is back in Orlando. Some are saying that the new rules will force teams to get good outside shooters. The Magic have Mike Miller. If this is not true, they still need a dominating force in the paint. The Magic have Grant Hill and Horace Grant. Seriously, T-Mac has developed himself into one of the best players in this league. Oh, yeah, and guess where Patrick Ewing is playing this coming season? Yeah, looks like Orlando will be having a great season. Just hope they don�t turn into the Blazers.... Speaking of the Blazers...well, let�s see. Okay, to add to their already star-studded roster, they signed Derek Anderson and Ruben Patterson. They also signed rookie Zach Randolph to a multi-year deal while signing Priest Lauderdale to a one-year contract. Did I also mention that Steve Kerr and Steve Smith are trading places? Yeah, lots of movements, but is it really making a difference? They�ve got a new head coach, Maurice Cheeks, but the roster is still too full of good players. This will be an interesting season.... Okay, back to the East. The Sixers didn�t really change much. They still have their two best players, Iverson and Mutumbo. But they can�t do it alone. They need some better role players, more players like Aaron Mckie. I know it�s a little early to be predicting the result of the playoffs, but I�m going with the Magic to take the Eastern crown. On Draft Day, the Clippers were clearly the most improved team. They drafted Tyson Chandler, a good player, but traded him to the Bulls for Elton Brand. That was a smart move. With Darius Miles coming off a great rookie year, and Lamar Odom growing as a player, the Clippers have a great chance of making it to the playoffs this year. But then again, there�s also the other teams in the West that could prevent that from happening. I mean, besides Sean Rooks and Derek Strong, who have played 10 and 9 years in this league, the guy with the most experience is Jeff McInnis with only 4 years. That�s even less than Kobe. Obviously, this team is not very experienced, but they have an exciting style of play that attracts fans. Basically, I�m trying to say that the Magic and the Clippers are the most improved teams in the league. And about the rivalry between Lakers and Blazers, us Laker fans don�t need to worry about it. It will all be proven to us on opening night at Staples. As for all the other teams, prepare to be dominated by Shaq, Kobe, and Co. No matter how much other teams can improve, no one can stop the beginning of a new era, the Bling Bling Dynasty. |
