The Wild, Wild West: A Team-By-Team Preview Of The NBA Western Conference

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Jan 8, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (left) drives to the basket during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers  (Pacific Division)

Last year’s result: Regular Season (27-55). Missed Playoffs  

Significant players added: Jeremy Lin, Julius Randle (Rookie)

Significant players lost: Jordan Farmar, Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman, Jodie Meeks

Projected starting lineup: Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, Xavier Henry, Julius Randle, Jordan Hill

Analysis: The 2013-14 campaign was the Lakers’ 2nd worst regular season in franchise history. It’s hard to believe that the Lakers can possibly play any worse than they did last year. It remains to be seen how healthy Kobe Bryant will be after he only played six games due to an Achilles tear and a fractured left knee, but he’s the last person you’d ever count out on or off the court.

Pau Gasol has now signed with the Bulls, leaving the starting power forward position wide open for bruising rookie Julius Randle. Randle has impressed so far in the Summer League and will look to make an immediate impact. They also were able to pick up Jeremy Lin, giving them a legitimate starting point guard — no offense to Kendall Marshall or 40-year-old Steve Nash. Something else worth noting is that the only center on the Lakers current roster is Robert Sacre, who averaged only 16.8 minutes with a PER of 12.2 last year. This may force their hand in free agency to sign another center or play small with Randle and Hill as their starting frontcourt. Bearing good health, the Lakers are in a little better spot than last year, which isn’t saying much.

Grade: B-