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Bryant isn't done yet, however -- and he has never played with a point guard of Nash's abilities. The two-time MVP agreed to move to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade to stay closer to his three children in Phoenix, yet he seems to be an ideal fit with the Lakers, whose biggest positional deficiency has been at point guard for several years.
Nash still isn't sure how all of the Lakers' pieces will fit together, but after several mostly mediocre years with the Suns, the 38-year-old Canadian is grateful for a real chance to chase his first ring.
"We're covering a lot of ground in training camp, with the new offense and all the new guys," Nash said. "We're getting into a competitive space, though. You can see how these guys are coming together. We know we've got a chance to be a really good team."
Coach Mike Brown has the keys to this impressive vehicle, and he acknowledges he's mostly trying not to crash it. He has installed elements of the Princeton offense to encourage the Lakers to be mobile and creative on offense, but the defense-minded coach is most excited about a unit backstopped by Howard, the shot-blocking defensive dynamo.
"The big thing I've been telling these guys on defense is that they don't have to gamble," Howard said. "We're solid on D. We just need to work hard for 24 seconds, get the rebound, and we're out."
Much of that confidence is based on Howard, who is still a bit peeved he didn't win another Defensive Player of the Year award last spring despite his early end to the season for back surgery. Bynum thrived on defense at times, but the Lakers believe no center can match Howard's combination of athleticism and intelligence.
"He can make plays defensively that no big man outside of Bill Russell can make," Bryant said.
The Lakers' weaknesses might include their bench, which was the NBA's least productive group last season. Antawn Jamison, the high-scoring forward who has mostly spent his 15-year career as the best player on bad teams, should inject more offense as a reserve, while Jodie Meeks and Chris Duhon will provide a new look in the backcourt. Jordan Hill, Steve Blake and Devin Ebanks return from last year.
But it's tough to worry about the Lakers while Howard, Nash, Bryant, Gasol and World Peace are running drills together in practice.
They're still getting to know each other, but they all sense the potential to become something greater than the sum of their parts.
"You don't get an opportunity like this too often in life," Gasol said. "We're all excited to go on this journey together."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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