Lakers Start Title Run: 2-and-0

With the bitter memory of their NBA Title defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics still fresh in their minds, the Los Angeles Lakers opened the new season with two impressive wins.

Though there has been very little change of personnel since last season, there has been a huge change in mindset. The Lakers newly found aggressiveness is evident at both ends of the court. Not only do they have their offensive guns firing with both barrels, but they are playing a tenacious, energetic defense with a sense of purpose.

One significant difference from last season to this season is all of their key players are healthy.

Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza, and Chris Mihm, all of whom sat out major portions of last season, have recovered and rejuvenated the Lakers lineup.

This has allowed head coach Phil Jackson to manipulate his 9-man rotation in a way that gives Lakers opponents a variety of looks. By starting a 3-point shooter like Vlad Radmanovic and having Lamar Odom come off the bench, Jackson has spread out the court for his big men and opened up the passing lanes while keeping two big men in the game at all times.

Although they have only played two games, the difference between last year’s team and this one is like night and day.

On Tuesday night the Lakers got off to a fast start, playing a suffocating defense and holding the Portland Trailblazers to just 19 percent shooting at one point during the first half. The defense, which had been a sore point last year, did an early about-face and held the Blazers to 76 points while putting up 96 points.

Then last night, they completely embarrassed their Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Clippers, 117-79, nearly doubling Tuesday’s winning margin.

The score was only half the story. The Lakers put on an offensive display of unselfish basketball, looking for the open man, anticipating cuts and passing flawlessly.

At times it seemed like they had eyes in the back of their heads. Not just the guards but the entire team. Especially the big men – Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton – passing off to one another or kicking it outside

Against the Clippers, no less than 7 players were in double figures, and the Lakers bench shot an outstanding 64%. They out-rebounded the Clippers 51-32.

To give you some idea of how unselfish and distributive this Laker’s team is, of the seven players in double figures, Kobe Bryant was the high scorer with a mere 16 points.

When was the last time the high scorer for the Lakers had only 16 points and the Lakers won by nearly 40 points? Coming off the bench Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza combined for 32 points and 10 assists.

The biggest change has been on defense. In both games, the Lakers defense was positively dominating. Their defensive rotations combined with their aggressive play has resulted in an increase in steals, blocks and turnovers.

Phil Jackson has to be pleased with his team’s performance. But he realizes the season is young and stiffer competition lies ahead, starting with the Houston Rockets next week.

Meanwhile, this Saturday, the Lakers have a game against their opening round opponents from the playoffs last Spring, the Denver Nuggets. To say the least, it will be interesting to see how the Lakers new aggressive style of play on defense will do against the likes of Alan Iverson and Carmello Anthony.

Nevertheless, the Lakers are off to a great start in what should prove to be a fantastic season of NBA Basketball.