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Los Angeles Lakers L.A. has a good shot at a three-peat in 2002
Updated: Tuesday October 09, 2001 1:50 PM
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com Last year the Lakers toyed with the NBA. They spent the first half of the season fussing and feuding, but got everybody healthy and on the same page in time for the playoffs. The result was an unprecedented 15-1 romp through the postseason and a second consecutive NBA title. Provided Shaq and Kobe can stay at peace, L.A. has a good shot at a three-peat in '02. With two of the game's best players, a superb head coach in Phil Jackson and a solid cast of role players, the Lakers look as tough as ever. Not even the departures of starting power forward Horace Grant (Magic) and backup point guard Tyronn Lue (Wizards) will derail them. Jackson's biggest concern might be getting sharp-shooting point guard Derek Fisher back from the foot injury that will keep him out until at least December.
He'll also need steady contributions from holdover veterans Rick Fox and Robert Horry, as well as from new additions Mitch Richmond and Samaki Walker. Richmond, a six-time All-Star, will be counted on to provide backcourt scoring off the bench, while the 6-foot-9 Walker must plug the gaping hole at power forward caused by Grant's departure. Even the allowance of zone defenses on Shaq shouldn't slow down L.A. With Kobe on the perimeter, and plenty of good shooters, the Lakers should be able to adjust. Only an injury to Shaq or Kobe, it seems, can stop the Purple Reign. Standout stat: 26 Times the Lakers are scheduled to be on national television this season, either on TNT, TBS or NBC.
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