Help From Within

The 2007-2008 Los Angeles Lakers defied all the critics and finished first in the Western Conference. Not only did they get the top seed in their conference, the Lakers made it to the NBA Finals, where they were actually favored to take home the Larry O'Brien trophy. They were chosen to finish eighth at best, especially with the West being so tough, but the team grew faster than anyone expected.

What do the Lakers need to do to get back to the Finals? Trade Lamar Odom? Bring in a veteran? Play more Fluke?! Well, my answer my friends, is not much.

To think that they went all the way to the NBA Finals, without their starting small forward and center is mind boggling. That's how deep this team was.

The biggest hit of the Laker season came when Andrew Bynum went down with an injury Jan. 13. He was the anchor to the Lakers' defense, rebounding and blocking shots like it was his god given right to do so. He averaged 13 PPG and 10 Rebounds before he went out with a devastating knee injury, which was originally misdiagnosed as a two-month rehabilitation.

Watching Pau Gasol try to play center was comical compared to what Andrew Bynum did early in the season. Gasol rarely gets a rebound in traffic, as he is constantly out-hustled around the basket. Bynum on the other hand is a beast down low, who thumps his chest and rips down rebounds with pride.

Pau is also very slow when it comes to rotating to his man on defense. His help D leaves a lot to be desired. Someone call 911 when Fisher gets beat off the dribble, please! Bynum however has the quick feet necessary to block shots on the help side (he swatted 2.1 during the season).

Trevor Ariza is another player the Lakers missed. Sure, you're probably telling yourself, "but hey Jonathan, Trevor was playing in the Finals!" The problem was that he didn't get enough minutes. Now, most of that was because he wasn't in proper game shape, as he was out for a considerable amount of time. He also needs to develop a consistent jump shot. However, he should have played more minutes over the embarrassing Luke Walton and the slower than slow-motion Slalom Radmonobitch.

Bynum and Ariza give the Lakers more length than any team this in NBA history this side of the 80's Celtics. I mean think about it...You have Andrew Bynum with his ginormous wingspan. Pau Gasol is playing his true position at power forward. All 6'11 of Lamar Odom will be at small forward and Trevor Ariza's lanky ass on the bench.

Everybody was talking about how the Lakers were bullied by the Celtics in the Finals. The truth is was that they were. The Lakers D was deplorable at times, and their rebounding left a lot to be desired. Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum help those areas tremendously, but a certain Slovenian Sharp-Shooter needs to return....He goes by the name of THE MACHINE!

The Bottom Line: The Lakers need to re-sign Andrew Bynum and Sasha Vujacic. Critics will say that Andrew Bynum needs to prove his consistency over a whole season, and that Sasha only had his breakout season to get a big contract. Those are valid points but the Lakers need to pull the trigger on both of them if they're serious about being CHAMPIONS. Salary Cap? Schmalary cap! Sign them both, and a new Laker Dynasty will begin.

Mark me down as saying that if everyone is healthy next year, and presuming Sasha Vujacic comes back...The Lakers will win over 65 games next year and dominate their way to a championship.