The LA Lakers started out 2-0 this 2010-11 NBA season and the reason has a lot to do with the arrival of three players 
that make their bench deeper than when they repeated as NBA champions last season.
After parting ways with four players after last year’s victory parade, the Lakers dipped into free agency and as they demonstrated in their first two games, they are ready to give the newcomers significant minutes, even in crunch time.
The four let go were Adam Morrison, D.J. Mbenga, Jordan Famar and Josh Powell. To fill those spots, GM Mitch Kupchak acquired Theo Ratliff, Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, all of whom have seen floor time in both of the first two games this season. Ratliff may be 37 years old but he is in great shape and will rebound, block shots and take up space in the paint.
Ratcliff is the first true back-up center the Lakers have had in years. With Pau Gasol playing almost half his time at the center position, whether as a starter in place of oft-injured Andrew Bynum, he had more minutes than the team would like.
Blake’s arrival gives the team a player who can put in significant minutes to allow Fisher to rest for what he truly does best, make critical baskets in the playoffs. Finally, the acquisition of Barnes gives the team a combo forward who can drive to the hoop or shoot from long range. He’s another version of Trevor Arzia who departed a year ago to make way for Ron Artest.
Friday night in Phoenix during the Lakers win over the Suns, their coach Alvin Gentry was asked how he expected his team to counter the new wave of Lakers players who back up those who just won two rings. He shook his head said he hoped his guys would put up a good fight, but that after all, the rich just got richer. Ain’t that the truth?
Used with permission of the author.
Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles.
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