It's Over

So after eight long months of wondering, the Lakers answered all questions and are the 2009 NBA Champions.

They're going to take some time to enjoy this, especially guys like Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, who played straight through last year's NBA Finals--then the Olympics--into this year's finals.  As a matter of fact, Kobe played more games surrounding an Olympics than any player ever, and will most likely shut down for a few weeks.

But the Lakers could have two big questions to answer in this off season, and those answers won't come easy:

--What will they do if Phil Jackson retires?  I think it's unlikely, but there's no question that it's possible.  Phil has some health issues that make it impossible to assume he's automatically coming back.  If he leaves, deciding who will replace him would be one of the biggest decisions of this decade.  The short list would include current assistants Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw, along with former Laker and current Hornets coach, Byron Scott.  My guess?  Phil returns for one more season, and then he's done--but it's just a guess.

--If they can only afford to keep one free agent, should it be Lamar Odom or Trevor Ariza?  Before the playoffs, I think Odom was kind of an obvious answer.  But after seeing Ariza's performance in both the Western Conference Finals against Denver, and the Finals against Orlando, this decision is anything but a slam dunk.  Odom is bigger, more versatile, and a better rebounder and scorer.  But Ariza is a better defender, a better shooter, and is younger.  I would probably keep Odom, but that just me. What I thinking might happen (and I realize this could be wishful thinking) is that both Odom and Ariza will take less money to stay in LA.  Any time a player is asked to leave millions on the table, it usually doesn't work out.  But both guys say their open to it.

Other questions will arise, but for the most part, the future for the Lakers looks as bright as any team in the NBA.  The question most of the reporters at the finals was asking wasn't if the Lakers might win one more title, but how many.

Comments

[theHoundDawg]

Congrats to the entire Laker family for a fabulous season. Watching Kobe this season was amazing - seeing a great player improve his entire game to an incredible new level. Also deserving credit for the team's success is the previously much-maligned Mitch Kupchak, who made key player moves putting the finishing touches on what became a championship team.

As to Phil, hopefully he will stay out his contract and be back next year. The candidates you mentioned all leave me asking "Who else is there?" Like maybe influencing Gregg Popovich or Rick Adelman to make a move.

While I hope ownership can find the $$$ to keep both Ariza and Odom, the coaching position is also not an economy position, and if an established, winning coach is interested in moving, that is where the money should go.

The answer to that last question - "[not] if the Lakers might win one more title, but how many" depends more on who the coach is than anything else. Don't forget the 2004-5 season when Phil was retired.

Great job all season, John, on 710, on your ESPN morning TV spots, and on Laker coverage.

[David Hutchison]

If Kobe really wants more rings he should consider a salary cut to pay more money to Ariza and Odom, ala Tom Brady. With a move like that he probably makes a lot more money in endorsements than he gives up in salary and if they win another championship it means even that much more in endorsements and in image polishing.

[Jaime Casrin]

Superman was weakened by KOBEriptonite PAUwered BYNUM other than the Lakers who ARIZAnimation that led to a Championship PHILed with X-itement and cLAMAR from a team that's FARMAR experienced. They LUKEd 2 the goal and without a WALTONever forget of challenges went DEREKtly 2 it.
Ahora, VUJACICar al equipo para que MBENGAn listos a ganar otro Campeonato full of new BENCH(mob)marks.

[online pharmacy]

You're right Jackson stay for one more season atleast, and they keep Odom as well.. This team is going to be tough to beat with the addition of Artest..