2015-16 NBA Season Preview: Los Angeles Lakers

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Los Angeles Lakers

2014-15

Offseason Roundup

Projected Starting 5

• PG Jordan Clarkson
• SG D'Angelo Russell
• SF Kobe Bryant
• PF Brandon Bass
• C Roy Hibbert

MVP: Kobe Bryant

As long as Kobe Bryant has a pulse, a fully functioning right shoulder, and two working knees, no one on the Lakers' roster will take over his spot as the top dog. Then again, even if he doesn't work his way back close to 100 percent health, it's hard to imagine the 17-time All-Star stepping aside and willingly handing over his role to one of the team's young guns.

At 37 years old, Bryant still managed to finish 2014-15 with a usage rate of 34.9, which is awfully high for someone of his age and with his failing body. He may be a tad stubborn in terms of knowing how much of the load he can realistically shoulder, but that won't stop him from trying to carry the Lakers' offense as a one-man show once he's cleared to compete.

Never underestimate the emotional hike that comes with having one of the greatest players in the history of the game suiting up for your team. Bryant raises the intensity level of everyone surrounding him, which is how you want an impressionable roster to continuously perform when playing in a city, like Los Angeles, which values winners.

Breakout Player: Julius Randle

No one knows what Julius Randle is capable of on the pro level, and that's a crying shame. A catastrophic right tibia injury during the opening game of the 2014-15 regular season assured we'd have to wait a bit while longer before seeing the former Wildcat make his debut.

Set to make his highly anticipated return to action, the 20-year-old power forward will really only have to contend with Brandon Bass for heavy playing time, which shouldn't be trouble at all. The four-spot is his if he continues to put in the extra work.

Season Expectations

The 2015-16 campaign will be all about Bryant, and whether or not this is the last time basketball fans will see the Lakers legend grace the hardwood at Staples Center.

Other than his potential farewell tour, the team's other main draw will be watching their glutton of trigger-happy, offensive-minded guards rip the ball out of each other's hands as they seek to take over games themselves.

(All 2014-15 numbers courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com; D'Angelo Russell's numbers come from one-year run at Ohio State)

The Lakers need to be aware of their limitations, using the upcoming season as a means to grow and improve as a unit, not banking on a seemingly improbable postseason berth. The Western Conference is far too loaded with quality opposition for a team such as this, with so many new pieces that will need time to mesh together, to be viewed as a threat.

Even 30 victories seems like a stretch. The bottom of the standings is where they'll remain. Sorry, Jack.