The Lakers New Defensive Stopper

All the talk about Lamar Odom can be a bit overwhelming. Is he starting? Is he running the point? Is he going to be traded? First of all, he would be great coming of the bench but, would also help round out the Lakers monster starting line up. So no decision can be made there. He has great handles, height, and sees the court well, so he would make a great point guard in a showtime type system. In the Triangle… not so sure? And lastly, who could you trade him for? Who will be willing to play fourth fiddle to the Lakers new big three (Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum)? And who would be able to walk in and learn the complexities of the Triangle during what many Laker fans believe is a key year in the resurgence of the Laker Dynasty? Like mentioned earlier… it’s very overwhelming.

Instead of digging into the Lamar debates, look at a player who will help to set the defensive tone for a team who is very weak in that area. No, not Kobe Bryant. It’s Trevor Ariza. The length and atheleticism of Ariza allows him to figuratively be all over the court. Through the preseason games he has shown that his anticipation on the defensive end has led to many easy baskets. He didn’t get to play much last year because of the broken foot. And unfortunately Phil Jackson tried to use him in the Finals against the Celtics when he clearly still had rust on his game. Now he’s healthy. This is his first trainging camp with the Lakers. He has worked on his game during the off season and he’s only 23. His scrambling, aggressive defensive is hopefully contagious because the rest of the Lakers need some serious defense mojo added to their game (Kobe Bryant excluded).

Although a very good defender, Ariza does have some offensive weaknesses. His jump shot is average at best. If he worked on that part of his game he could help to spread the floor allowing the big guys Bynum and Gasol to have some space to work. If the rest of the Lakers can follow suit to Ariza, maybe Laker fans this year will see their return to the finals and maybe, just maybe… the eventual defeat of Boston.