RealGM

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/37250/countdown-to-camp-10-reasons-to-care

Article by Dave McMenamin

The 10 storylines that will be the focus of this next upcoming season in his opinion (as well as ours). Enjoy the season, we have a roster full of expiring contracts (Not sure this is the first time this has happened in NBA history off the top of my head)

A lot has changed in Laker Land in the five months between the Spurs series, which ended in a 21-point loss to complete the sweep on April 28, and when training camp opens up Saturday. Most notably, the will-he-or-won’t-he game the team played with Dwight Howard ended with the Lakers stranded on the dance floor as Howard made his Texas two-step to the Houston Rockets. Beyond that, L.A. said goodbye to key contributors Metta World Peace, Antawn Jamison and Earl Clark, and hello to a handful of hopeful replacements in Chris Kaman, Nick Young, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson.

Can't believe we have less than 2 weeks until the games start(preaseason,but still)

This seemed by far,the quickest offseason for me...maybe because I don't have any expectations and wasn't really that anxious for the season to start as other years

Hope we'll get entertained at least,even if the wins won't be there

Gotta believe in our squad here. Injuries are the main issue. But we have alot of players who have something to prove and that includes are best player Kobe and he responds to the achilles injury (Gary Vitti was on record recently saying that he believes Kobe can be the same player he was last season) We'll take that if it could happen. Nash still has to prove to everyone that he was worth the signing and Pau has to prove that he can still be the focal big on a championship contending team in the NBA. Also Mike D has to prove it was a good hire. Then we have alot of ex-lottery picks that want to prove that their not complete bust

... i'm always optimistic ... for now i say playoffs ... if we get there i'll get my hopes higher ... ^_^

Not only do I like the fact that, they are almost all on 1 year contracts and each have to prove themselves. But these are players who all want to be In LAKER land and I feel this is huge for a team, to have players who want to play for a team and not just stay for money etc.

expecting 6-7 seed in playoffs and probably a 2nd round exit if all healthy and no injury's happen.
I think people are going to underestimate the Lakers this year:) ...

If we aren't making play offs by end of year, probably tank it??? < but even then I don't see that happening if Kobe is playing

Mike D got his type of players. he got his Suns back but with a less athletic but more skilled Amare in Pau. and of course he still has Kobe.

I can see Nash and Pau doing their magic right now.

I think this is the first season in my history of being a lakers fan that I dont have any expectations from this team.

(but i still think they can surprise a lot of people)

Good to see the rook Ryan Kelly cleared for basketball activity. Just adds another dimension to our team. Overall I'm just glad we have shooters going into this training camp. I remember year after year after year we lacked shooters and finally it has been addressed this offseason. I'm optimistic about this team. As others are saying get to the playoffs and we'll see from there.

i think we will make the playoffs as an 8 seed, but i hope we won't. i know, i know, laker tradition not to tank, but it's just the logical move imo. even if you don't get a top 3 pick, this draft is awesome.

Balkman would've been an intersting camp invite. I like his activity and hustle.

who's the other center who was invited with Gadzuric and DJO?

tugs wrote:Balkman would've been an intersting camp invite. I like his activity and hustle.

who's the other center who was invited with Gadzuric and DJO?

Don't matter....he'll be cut until we get to know something about him

No pressure and on a many a nights teams will take us lightly, I know what our final roster will look like. All these scrub camp invites are just to get extra bodies in camp. If you look at some of the guys most don't even fit MDA's system.

For years we were Darth Vader, now we're just Boba Fett....a sneaky ass bounty hunter and I love it!

Can't wait till the first preseason game. Just got my NBA LEAGUE PASS and saved 10%.
getting itchy feet. No Pressure but the fans will be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs.
Like the roster with alot of new faces.
Mitch looked very tired in his press confidence and it's only the start of the season.
Pressure must be ON. LAKER FANS will be happy to make playoffs.

Some reactions thus far

Mike Trudell ✔ @LakersReporter

Asked @JrFarmar for a teammate that’s impressed him: “Wesley Johnson.” Said his length/athleticism on D + shooting has been impressive.

Mike Trudell ✔ @LakersReporter

Another common observation: Shawne Williams has barely missed a shot thus far. He’s a guy to keep an eye on.

Mike Trudell ✔ @LakersReporter

Word around the team is that @JrFarmar has looked great on the first few days. Several people have mentioned it without prompting.

Dave McMenamin ✔ @mcten

Good news out of Lakers practice: Pau Gasol participated fully, Steve Nash went through everything but a couple final drills

Dave McMenamin ✔ @mcten

Sign of a D'Antoni practice: Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman, Robert Sacre and Dan Gadzuric practicing 3-pointers

Mike Trudell ✔ @LakersReporter

D’Antoni said he thinks this could he the “best year ever” for @paugasol, who will be heavily featured in all aspects of the offense.

It only took 5 minutes of lakers live to get me exited about the team. Ya I'm a proud laker homer

I'm hearing a lot of Wes Johnson playing the 4 in practices.

the Lebrons, Carmelos and the Durants be scared now.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph6UpCryKWw[/youtube]
Was that Wes at the end? Looking good.

In b4 "Pau still shooting jumpers"