The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2013-14 NBA season with a slightly new lineup after signing several free-agents and picking up quality youngsters in the draft. 17-year veteran and USA Today NBA analyst Eddie Johnson provided a glimpse of what to expect next season, starting off with the starters.
Point Guard: While Jeremy Lin is expected to get plenty minutes as a playmaker, Johnson believed Steve Nash will still get the nod as a starter next season. The 40-year old Nash is playing perhaps his final season in the NBA, but he's still capable of producing quality minutes of he stays healthy throughout the season.
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bean Bryant is all about redemption next season. After two bumpy seasons with injuries, the former NBA MVP will try to get the Lakers into relevancy once again. It will be hard for sure, especially with the way the Western Conference shapes up, but there's no more motivated player in the NBA than the Black Mamba. He will score for sure, and he will find a way to make the Lakers a force to be reckoned with next year.
Small Forward: Barring the possibility of bringing in Michael Beasley, Wesley Johnson is a locked to start at small forward positions. Though there's a chance Bryant will play the three spot, Johnson is a natural small forward who can get some buckets and defend on the other end with his long wingspan.
Power Forward: Carlos Boozer will start as their undersized power forward. Despite being a liability against big man on the defensive end, Boozer can still provide double-double numbers. The former Duke standout is playing for another relevant contact after he was amnestied by the Chicago Bulls this summer.
Center: Ed Davis is a nice acquisition for the purple-and-gold and his presence will certainly give some boost to their offense. However, Johnson thinks Jordan Hill will start as the man in the middle for the Lakers. After a solid showing last season, Hill will get plenty minutes either at the five or four spot under head coach Byron Scott.
Sixth Man: Of course, the 26-year old Lin will be the Lakers' most valuable player off the bench this season. Lin, who averaged 12 points and 4 dimes in 29 minutes per game last season with the Houston Rockets, will get plenty of playing time from Scott, becoming a sparkplug for their offense.
Johnson claimed the Lakers will be a hard to crack, especially if Bryant and Nash stay healthy, but they will still miss the playoffs because of the lack of firepower and the tight competition in the Western Conference. The analyst projected the Lakers to place between 17 to 30 overall next season.
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