NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Need Help At Many Positions

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By @Yizzus_

Getty Images

Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers opened up the 2014-15 campaign against the Dwight Howard-led Houston Rockets. Aside from the homecoming, the world got to see soon-to-be Hall of Fame shooting guard Kobe Bryant take the floor healthy for the first time in almost two years.

While he looked rusty, Bryant looked healthy, which is great for the fans. However, there was one thing painfully obvious with this year’s edition of the Lakers: They desperately need help at the point guard and wing position. With new head coach Byron Scott preaching fewer 3-point attempts, a floor general is going to be essential.

While Bryant did finish the night with 19 points, he looked as good as a 36 year-old can look. The point guards who accompanied Bryant in the backcourt struggled all night long. Former Rocket Jeremy Lin finished the night on 1-of-5 shooting with seven points, two rebounds and six assists in just over 29 minutes played. Backup Ronnie Price finished the night on 1-of-7 shooting with seven points, one rebound and three assists in just under 27 minutes played.

None of those numbers jump out on a box score, and watching the game, it is obvious that this Lakers team will struggle until they get some help. The Lakers will have to try and add a point guard that is serviceable offensively and defensively. The offense as a whole did not look fluid, and it starts with the head of the snake — the point guard position.

A welcome sight to see was rookie Jordan Clarkson, while he did not play extremely well, he did not look like a deer in the headlights. He was aggressive and looked fairly comfortable for a rookie in Tinseltown. The Lakers need their leading scorer from last year, Nick Young, to get healthy as soon as possible. Adding insult to injury, first-round pick Julius Randle broke his leg on a rather routine-looking attack of the basket.

This Los Angeles roster rivals the Smush Parker team for worst team the Lakers have put on the floor. Simply put, the 2014-15 Lakers need help at almost every position. From point guard to small forward, from power forward to center, the Lakers do not have a good enough cast around Bryant that will compete for a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

If the opener is any signal for things to come, it is going to be a long and frustrating year for Lakers nation and Bryant.

Allen Yates is a blog writer for the Los Angeles Lakers on www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Yizzus_, “like him” on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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