In fact, few people who follow the Lakers think Ebanks has a chance to earn much playing time at all this season unless it's in the NBA's developmental league.

The Lakers are a veteran team coming off back to back NBA championships; it's hard to picture Jackson changing his philosophy considering this is his final season and he has his roster from last year virtually intact.

Jackson has always been known to side with experience rather than youth, and this usually holds true regardless of a player's athleticism or talent, with few exceptions.

Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff were the Lakers' major free agency signings; all three players come with varying degrees of NBA experience and all three figure to play prominent roles next season.

But if Ebanks can prove that he is truly as versatile as his summer league showing suggested, then Jackson may find that his presence could be very beneficial for the Lakers.

Some people feel that Ebanks was a first round talent that fell to the second round due to questions about his offense; but if he were to be a role player for the Lakers, his scoring would not be necessary.

Ebanks has flashed a decent perimeter shot and the ability to score off the dribble better than anticipated, but any minutes he plays for the Lakers will be earned on the defensive end.

Los Angeles has numerous scoring options in players like Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum, so unless Ebanks has some superior offensive talent lying dormant, he will never be asked to score.

But if Ebanks can become a consistent player on the defensive end, he will give the Lakers one of the league's most feared rotations of long, rangy, perimeter defenders.

Bryant, Ron Artest, Ebanks, and Matt Barnes are all between 6'6" and 6'9", and all except Ebanks have already proved themselves to be superior defensive players at the NBA level.

I'm not sure if there are to many teams that can boast a trio as defensively inclined on the perimeter as Barnes, Bryant, and Artest. If Ebanks can prove roster worthy he adds another body to the mix.

During Ebanks' time at West Virginia he was coach Bob Huggins' primary option when the Mountaineers needed a basket, but it was his defense which really set him apart.

Solid man to man defense is at a premium in the college ranks. Ebanks impressed with his sound fundamentals and understanding of basic man to man defensive principles.

Ebanks was quick enough to defend guards on the perimeter and strong enough to bang with more physical players in the paint.

Those attributes complement the talents of the Lakers' other long perimeter defenders perfectly. When you throw in the versatility of a player like Odom, there is the potential for a special defensive unit brewing in Los Angeles.

Whether or not Ebanks can be a part of that rotation remains to be seen, but is it unrealistic to think there is at least a slim chance of him seeing action this season?

Ebanks may have to cut his teeth in the NBDL; but if he can adjust to the speed of the NBA game on the defensive end, there is a possibility that he could be a mid-season addition to the roster.

And who knows?

Ebanks may use the Lakers' upcoming training camp to show that he deserves a spot on the Lakers roster right now. I wouldn't be too surprised if events played out that way.

Many Lakers' fans feel Ebanks was a steal in the second round of this year's draft; coach Jackson might just give him the opportunity to show their feelings were justified.

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Help defense is easier to gauge because most defensive statistics such as steals and blocks occur as a result of help defense, while great individual defense is more difficult to explain with numbers.

Recognizing great individual defense demands more of an a person's attention, because it involves observing the more fundamental aspects of defense.

Footwork, posture, instincts, and court awareness are a few traits of a superior defender, and in a league based on man-to-man defensive principles, there are few players who actually stand out in that category.

Last season's NBA All-Defensive first team consisted of Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and Gerald Wallace.

All five players are competent individual defenders, but Bryant and Rondo are really the only ones that have a reputation as great man-to-man defenders.

Howard was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, and he earned the award due to his dominance in the paint, which mainly consisted of vicious blocks and strong defensive rebounding.

Howard's size, strength, and athleticism make him an ideal help defender in the paint, and he is one of the better players in the NBA when it comes to guarding the rim.

But as far as man-to-man defense goes, Howard is still learning the nuances of playing solid post defense, and he has a habit of crossing his feet instead of sliding when he is forced to guard a player on the perimeter.

One of the reasons Howard is whistled for so many fouls is because he consistently gets beaten off the dribble, and he often finds himself trying to block the opposition's shot from behind.

That's not to take anything away from Howard though, because his impact on the defensive end can be game-altering for the Orlando Magic, and his accolades are well deserved.

However, once Howard is able to gain a grasp on defensive fundamentals and the principles of individual defense, he could very well be one of the greatest post defenders to ever roam the paint.

James is simply the best help defender in the game today, and although his signature defensive image may be his acrobatic blocks, he is just as good at recognizing the opposition's strategy and adjusting accordingly.

James was usually the last line of defense during his time in Cleveland, and his superior physical attributes made him a defensive nightmare all over the court.

Although James is an above average man-to-man defender, he has not yet reached the elite level, but it would be silly to think that plateau is not in his immediate future.

In Miami, James will not be forced to play such a prominent role on the help end because he has another elite defender playing alongside him in Dwyane Wade. This should allow James to focus his attention on individual defense.

Wallace and Rondo, like James, are also superior help defenders and either player is capable of dominating a defensive stat sheet when it comes to steals, rebounds, and in Wallace's case, blocks.

But Wallace and Rondo are also excellent man-to-man defenders, and Wallace is the rare talent who is just as effective on the perimeter as he is in the post.

Rondo is arguably the top defensive point in the NBA, and it's scary to think that he still has room to improve as an individual defender.

Rondo has excellent defensive fundamentals, but he does have a tendency to get a little lazy, and instead of staying in front of his man, Rondo has a habit of reaching from behind in order to create turnovers.

Sometimes Rondo is successful, but his technique also results in petty fouls which could be avoided by simply sticking to solid defensive principles.

Bryant is the standard by which most great perimeter defenders are measured, as illustrated by his eighth career selection for the NBA's defensive first team.

Bryant may be the most fundamentally sound man-to-man defender in the NBA, but age and injuries have diminished some of the physical gifts that made him consistenly great on the defensive end.

Bryant is still a superb individual defender mostly because of his court intellect and instincts, and the presence of Laker teammate Ron Artest has helped Bryant transition to a more efficient help defender.

Which brings me to a very interesting point about Artest.

The four finalists for the league's Defensive Player of the Year award were Howard, Wallace, Atlanta's Josh Smith, and Artest. And of the four only, Artest failed to make either of the NBA's All-Defense teams.

Most Lakers' fans would admit that Artest's impact on the defensive end played a major role in the team's championship last season, and some would even say his impact on that end was far greater than Bryant's.

That point may be debatable, but Artest was unquestionably the most consistent individual defender for the Lakers last season.

Artest's career has been defined by his defensive prowess, and for the majority of his time in the league Artest has been a shining example of what a complete defender really is.

Artest has been an All-League defender a total of four times, and he was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year during the 2003-2004 season.

Artest has also led the NBA in steals twice, finished second in that category on three other occassins, and managed to carry a 2.0 steals per game average throughout his career.

What's more impressive about Artest's theft totals are the fact that many of them occur because of solid man defense as opposed to help defense.

Artest is blessed with quick, strong hands, excellent footwork, and a fierce, aggressive style that is based on allowing as little room as possible for the opposition to operate.

Artest's strength also allows him to defend larger players in the post, and he is exceptional at using his body to dictate an opponent's movement in the paint.

Time has robbed Artest of some of his quickness on the perimeter, but he is still regarded as one of the elite man-to-man defenders in the NBA, if not the very best.

Which makes it a puzzling coincidence that Artest failed to make either NBA defensive team.

The NBA's defensive teams are decided by the votes of the league's 30 coaches, and Artest missed out on joining the second team by a total of three votes.

Artest garnered 11 votes overall and finished behind Thabo Sefolosha of the Oklahoma City Thunder who garnered 14 total votes.

Not to take anything away from Sefolosha, but few observers would consider him to be in the same class of defenders as Artest, and the same can be said for Cleveland's Anderson Varejao who also made the second team.

Some people say Artest deserved to make the first team over Bryant, and even though that is only opinion, its' hard to justify the logic of him failing to make either team.

Artest's defense against Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce during the 2010 postseason proves he still resides among the league's top individual defenders, and he has a very strong case for the NBA's best.

Of course, that is a subjective matter, and although I tend to sway more towards the coaches when it comes to judging a player's effectiveness, I believe the people who picked Artest as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year got it right.

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If a person was looking for the NBA's top power forwards last season their journey would likely begin and end in the Western Conference.

The East had great power forwards such as Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, and David Lee, but the depth of talent in the West paralleled the number of quality teams in the conference.

Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol , Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge, and the underrated David West formed one of the more impressive groups of power forwards in recent memory. The playing field has been leveled somewhat by the defections of Stoudemire and Boozer to the East, but the balance of power at the four position still slightly tilts to the West.

The New York Knicks' decision to trade Lee to the Golden State Warriors in order to sign Stoudemire means another double-double player will inherit the space recently vacated by Boozer and Stoudemire. But does Lee deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with players such as Duncan and Gasol?

Statistically speaking, yes.

Lee's 20.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game would rank among the top of not only the Western Conference, but the entire NBA in general, but many observers feel Lee's numbers are a reflection of the Knicks' overall ineptitude.

New York was a terrible team last season and Lee was their most consistent player and the Knicks only real interior presence. It's conceivable to think his numbers would be inflated for those reasons.

Still, it's hard to imagine that Lee, who was only one of a handful of players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds, could float so far below the radar of elite NBA power forwards.

More than likely Lee will see his numbers hold steady from last season or possibly even increase due to the free-flowing style of the Warriors' offense, but it's doubtful his stature will see a similar increase.

Lee has shown that he can be a dominant force on offense and on the boards, but until he decides to pay some attention to the defensive aspects of his game he will never be considered an elite power forward.

Lee may have had better numbers than Gasol and Duncan, but his fundamental skills are not on the same level, and his poor defense often makes him a liability on that end of the floor.

Considering Lee is transitioning from Mike D'Antoni's defenseless style to Don Nelson's equally incompetent defensive methods, the prospects for improvement in that area seem limited.

Additionally, Bosh and Garnett were the cream of the crop in the East and there were no other power forwards in the conference who were on the same tier as those players.

In the West, Lee will be faced with the prospects of facing equally talented power forwards on a nightly basis and he will find the opportunities to excel against lesser opponents few and far between.

The only teams in the West facing serious questions regarding the power forward position are Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, and possibly Denver (with the multitude of injuries the Nuggets have recently faced).

Lee has proved he can score and rebound with the NBA's top power forwards, but can he improve on the defensive end and help turn the fortunes of the Warriors around in the process?

Lee's numbers from last season were impressive, but until his individual statistics reflect on his team's success, it's hard to place him among the ranks of elite NBA power forwards in the West.

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While Artest was in the Lakers' locker room he reportedly told Kobe Bryant that he would love the opportunity to help Bryant and the Lakers attempt to win a championship the following season.

Artest had just witnessed the Lakers completely taken out of their element by the Celtics, who forced Los Angeles to abandon the safe confines of their precision-based game.

The Lakers were a very good team in 2007-08, but they had several weaknesses and none was more glaring than the lack of a strong, physical presence.

The acquisition of Pau Gasol earlier in the season had made the Lakers prime contenders to win the NBA championship, but the Celtics sniffed out their biggest flaw and ruthlessly exposed it.

In 2008 Los Angeles was battered, bruised, and beaten on the way to an embarrassing 40 point loss in the last game of the Finals, and their main focus in the offseason was to get mentally and physically tougher.

The paths of Bryant and Artest would cross again in the 2009 playoffs when Artest's Houston Rockets pushed the Lakers to the brink of elimination, losing in seven games to the eventual champion Lakers.

During that series Bryant and Artest had a memorable confrontation which began with Bryant swinging a wild elbow in Artest's direction, and ended with Artest the beneficiary of a technical foul.

From both players' body language during the exchange it would seem that a little bad blood existed between them, but actually the incident may have just been a sign of mutual respect.

When Artest joined the Lakers in the 2009 offseason the move was lauded by Bryant, and considering the importance Artest played in the Lakers' subsequent championship, Bryant's enthusiasm was well-merited.

Even though the Lakers were able to win the title in 2009 they could still not escape the label of being a soft team, and Artest immediately began to change that perception.

Artest brought a dose of toughness and a rough edge to the Lakers' finesse-based game, and he assumed the role of the defensive enforcer that was previously missing from the team.

Artest's presence meant Bryant would no longer be forced to defend bigger players such as Denver's Carmelo Anthony, and he could divert more of his energy to the offensive end.

A broken finger and problems with his knee slowed Bryant during the season and the playoffs, but in a 2010 Finals' rematch of the Lakers' 2008 nightmare with the Celtics, Artest proved his worth.

Artest virtually took 2008 Finals' MVP Paul Pierce out of the series with his intense physical style, and when Pierce and the Celtics pushed the Lakers, Artest pushed back.

The series had the same physical style and pace as the 2008 Finals, but this time the Lakers were able to hold their own when the game devolved into a battle of wills.

There were many heroes for the Lakers in last season's championship march, and none were more important than Artest. But how good can the Lakers be on both sides of the ball with an offseason of rest for Bryant?

Bryant still managed to average 27 points per game last season, but it was obvious that his shooting stroke was bothered by his finger, and it was clear that his knee issues diminished the lift in his legs.

A healthy Bryant gives the Lakers the most versatile, and arguably the most dominant scoring presence in the game, and Artest should be even better with a full season in the Lakers' system under his belt.

Bryant said recently in an interview given by teammate Derek Fisher who was standing in on ESPN's show Jim Rome Is Burning, that his batteries are re-charged and he is looking forward to next season.

Many observers felt Bryant had lost a step last season, and although age may be a factor now in his career, it's not really a fair assessment considering Bryant's multiple injuries last season.

If Bryant enters next season with an attitude that he has something to prove, then the rest of the NBA could be in for an even scarier, more focused version of Bryant than in seasons past.

Likewise, Artest should benefit from the fact he has seen his career come full circle.

After the brawl in Detroit threatened to end his career and garnered a reputation that has followed him ever since, Artest has finally found peace with the Lakers.

On BET's series Life After, Artest said as much, and he also mentioned that he had never been as comfortable in his career as he is right now.

Many people thought the marriage of Artest and the Lakers was a union destined for failure, but under the tutelage of coach Phil Jackson and the watchful eye of Bryant, it has become one of the NBA's most impressive dynamics.

The 2010-11 Lakers will be one of the deepest, talented, and most balanced teams of the Jackson era, and in the mind of Lakers' owner Jerry Buss it has the potential to be one of the greatest of all time.

Los Angeles has dominant post players in Gasol and Andrew Bynum, a deep reserves corps which is led by Odom, and a defense that rivals the offense for attention.

Reaching the NBA Finals for a fourth consecutive season will be no easy task for the Lakers, but it helps when you have the game's top scorer in Bryant, and arguably the game's best individual defender in Artest leading the way. 

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Brown's cameo in Monica's latest music video suggests that he is living the life of a true NBA superstar, but so far Brown has been unable to translate his athletic talents to his game fully.

Make no mistake, Brown is definitely an important player for the Lakers, and he has thrilled fans with his aerial acrobatics, but could he play an even bigger role for the team?

Brown's 6'4 frame allows him to play either of the backcourt positions, but he doesn't handle the ball well enough to be considered a true point guard, and he lacks the instincts of a true shooting guard.

He has drawn the praise of Phil Jackson and the minutes that come along with it by playing tough defense against more physical guards, and playing with a high level of energy.

Brown actually has the tools to be a great defensive guard because of his strength and quickness, but he is lacking in fundamentals and defensive discipline.

For one, Brown's footwork is horrible, and although he is just as quick as most of the point guards in the league, he consistently gets beaten off the dribble because he has a tendency to cross his feet instead of sliding.

Brown is also guilty of blowing numerous assignments on defense, and he sometimes seems confused about the appropriate time to double team, or rotate out to the perimeter.

The latter instance was prevalent in the Lakers' six-game series victory over the Phoenix Suns, and it may have been the reason Jackson switched to Sasha Vujacic in Game Five.

But for all those flaws, Brown will only turn 25 in November, and he has plenty of time to make corrections in his game.

The Lakers didn't expect much from Brown when they acquired him from the Charlotte Bobcats, but he has become the most integral piece of that trade.

Brown threatened to leave Los Angeles after a tense free agency period over the summer, but he eventually re-signed, and has another chance to show his game has progressed.

A 6.1 career scoring average probably means Brown will not be entering the neighborhood of the NBA's elite players, but he does have the talent to become more of a household name.

Playing behind Kobe Bryant can only help Brown's cause, and he does have the confidence and experience garnered from his role on the Lakers' past two championship teams.

Brown has the talent and potential to be associated with more than just rim-rattling dunks, and next season maybe Lakers' fans will witness another step in Brown's growth and development.

At the least, Brown will still be a valued member of the Lakers' reserve corps, but the possibilities for much more are enticing.

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The 2010-11 NBA season will be filled with the same type of anticipation of a James and Bryant showdown in the Finals, except this time James is expected to bring dinner guests.

The Miami Heat's ability to land James and Chris Bosh in free agency to pair alongside Dwyane Wade has instantly made Miami the favorite to meet the Lakers in the 2011 NBA Finals.

A Lakers-Heat Finals would arguably be the most viewed series in the history of the NBA, not to mention the realization of a dream for commissioner David Stern.

It would come with all the hype, glitter, and manufactured drama anyone can ever hope for, but before we start preparing for bi-coastal war, shouldn't Miami get a chance to prove they are worthy of the praise?

This is the point where Heat fans will chalk this up as another example of a writer hating on their team, or doubting their ability to excel despite the drama surrounding them.

Well, they would be partly correct.

I'm not hating on the Heat, and any person would be crazy not to recognize the potential of a team that includes two of the top three players in the game today, but they still have yet to play a game.

Miami could end up being the greatest thing to happen since sliced bread was introduced, but what evidence of this do we have beyond their individual talents, and the fact they enjoy each other's company?

Some people like to point to the 2008 Olympics as proof of the super trio's potential chemistry, but those same people often tend to leave out the "other" significant player that helped make the 2008 Olympics successful.

Bryant was the designated defensive stopper of that team, and it was Bryant's heroics in the title game against Spain that clinched the gold for the Americans.

Even if the Heat do find the type of chemistry needed to win NBA championships, there are still other factors that could derail their quest for a title.

Pat Riley did a pretty good job of surrounding Bosh, James, and Wade with the best talent the Heat could afford, but there are still questions regarding their interior players and their guards.

Outside of Bosh, the Heat's roster has very few post players who would strike fear in the hearts of teams around the NBA, and the point guard position has already been declared one of Miami's few weaknesses.

Lakers' fans and Heat fans probably share the title of the NBA's most obnoxious group, but the Lakers fans' conceit is based on the results of the past three seasons, not the potential for 2010-11.

It's perfectly reasonable to assume the Lakers have a strong shot at reaching the Finals next season, because that has been their destination since Pau Gasol joined the team.

It's easy to understand why the Lakers are prohibitive favorites to win next season's championship in the eyes of everyone except Las Vegas and Heat fans, because they have won the last two.

Miami does not have that type of legacy to stand on, and the Heat's playoff path will likely be a little more difficult than the Lakers as well.

The Western Conference may be better than the East from top to bottom, but the Lakers will not have to face a team like Boston or Orlando just for the privilege of playing in the Finals.

Escaping the West will not be a simple task for the Lakers, but considering they have won the conference the past three years, and they improved in the offseason, it becomes easier to see them doing it again.

Once again that is a prediction based on the facts of the recent past, and in Miami's case the facts say Boston will not easily surrender their Eastern Conference championship of 2010.

Some fans feel Stern will make it a point to ensure Miami and Los Angeles meet in the Finals, but recent history doesn't support that claim.

Conspiracy theories run rampant in the NBA, but if this were true, then James' Cavaliers and Bryant's Lakers would have met at least once in the past two seasons.

But, the Finals participants were decided on the basketball court and not in the commissioner's office, so there is little reason to think this season would be any different.

By no means is this an indictment against Miami, because I feel they will be in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, and are a legitimate contender for the NBA championship next season.

But, before penciling them in for a spot in the Finals, shouldn't they at least play one regular season game first?

The Heat may be the most dominant team ever assembled in the NBA, and they may very well break the Chicago Bulls' hallowed regular season record of 72 games won, but they can't do it in the offseason.

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The Lakers upgraded their roster during the offseason, and the difficult task of unseating them became a little more complicated in the process, because in 2010-11 the Lakers will be deeper, and presumably more healthy.

The additions of Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff will help improve an already great defensive squad, and Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum's injuries should be fully healed when the 2010-11 season commences.

On paper the Lakers should plow through a conference that will have a much different look next season, but it is likely at least one team will step up and prove to be a test for the two-time defending champions.

But, who will assume that role?

The teams most likely to challenge the Lakers in the West are the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Some observers feel the Thunder are a strong dark horse pick to upset the Lakers, but unless Oklahoma City finds a way to significantly upgrade their post players their fate will likely mirror last season's.

Oklahoma played the Lakers tough during their first round playoff series last season, but Nick Collison, Serge Ibaka, and Nenad Kristic were no match for the the Laker's front line of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom.

The Thunder were able to hold their own in the paint, but that was against a hobbled version of Bynum, and Bryant was suffering through knee pains as well.

Russell Westbrook's penetration turned out to be a bigger problem than Kevin Durant's scoring in the series, and the addition of Barnes gives the Lakers another defensive option besides Ron Artest.

Dallas has a roster that can match the Lakers' in depth and talent, but the Mavericks' problem has never been an issue of talent.

The Mavericks consistently field teams that qualify for the postseason, but they have yet to find a way to make their regular season success translate in the playoffs.

A team with players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, and Shawn Marion would appear to be good bets to stage a deep postseason run, but the Mavericks' desire and toughness doesn't match their talent.

Dallas can match the Lakers' size in the paint, and their back court players are just as capable as L.A.'s, but most observers would be surprised if Dallas even managed to survive to reach the Western Finals.

Portland may be the most intriguing option of any team in the West because they can match the Lakers' roster in the same manner as Dallas, but they have none of the same mental issues.

The Trail Blazers' biggest question mark will always revolve around health, and if Greg Oden is unable to successfully return from yet another leg injury, any hopes Portland has of being a true contender is erased.

Oden is not much of an offensive player, but he can help counter Gasol and Bynum on defense, and LaMarcus Aldridge may be one of the most underrated power forwards in the NBA.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Blazers make a strong run at one of the West's top four playoff berths if they can remain healthy, but their inexperience would be a major factor in a seven game series with the Lakers.

Denver and San Antonio may be better suited to give the Lakers a run for their money in the West, mainly due to the experience and talent they have at key positions.

In Denver's case much hinges on the decision of forward Carmelo Anthony, because if he forces a trade as most people are predicting, the Nuggets will cease to be a legitimate force in the West.

Even if Denver receives multiple players in exchange for Anthony none of them will bring the same superstar element to the team that Anthony does.

Regardless, even if Anthony stays the Nuggets have some interior questions of their own to answer, as well as explaining the defensive lapse that happened against Utah in the playoffs.

Many people discount San Antonio due to the age of their primary core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, but the Spurs seem to always be in the discussion once the postseason starts.

When healthy Duncan is still one of the elite players at his position, and players like Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Dejuan Blair, and George Hill form a decent cast of supporting players.

All of these teams have dreams of reaching the Western Finals and de-throning the Lakers, but will the reality of Los Angeles' talent and experience be to much to overcome in a seven game series?

The Lakers seem primed to reach their 4th Finals' series in as many years, but none of their journeys have been easy, and the basketball has a funny way of bouncing once the season starts.

One of the above-mentioned teams will rise up to challenge the Lakers during the course of next season, but whether or not any of them has what it takes to actually beat Los Angeles remains to be seen.

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Team USA is counting on Odom for his versatility and experience, and if he responds well in a leadership position, maybe it can help him find a level of consistency for the Lakers.

Los Angeles will be a strong favorite to win their third consecutive NBA title if Odom can duplicate his performance from last season, but imagine how good the Lakers could be if he could actually sustain his play.

Odom has averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists throughout the course of his career, but every time he takes the court, you get the feeling that he is capable of so much more.

Odom's chronic inconsistency is by no means a secret, but Lakers fans who are exasperated with his uneven play still recognize how much he means to the team's postseason hopes.

The fact that Odom is surrounded by talent in players like Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol means the Lakers are able to weather Odom's periods of lackluster play without losing much in the process.

And when Odom is playing up to his potential, he is capable of being the most dominant player on the floor, because he can impact the game in a variety of ways.

Odom's 6'10" frame and perimeter-based skills make him a nightmare matchup for most teams in the league, but he is equally capable of controlling a game in the paint with his defense and rebounding.

Odom has good enough ball-handling skills to run the Lakers' fast break, and he has excellent passing skills in the open court, and in the triangle offense.

The beauty of Odom's game is that there are few things he is incapable of doing on the basketball court, but the irony is found in his sometimes nonchalant approach to the game.

Sometimes it seems Odom confounds his teammates as much as he does fans of the team, and not even Lakers coach Phil Jackson has a clear idea of what really motivates him.

Maybe it's the verbal jabs Odom received from Amar'e Stoudemire during last season's Western Conference Finals, or maybe the icy glares he receives from Bryant whenever he makes one of his patented clueless mistakes.

Hopefully Odom can find whatever it is that motivates him and bottle it, because the Lakers do not need him to be dominant in order to to be successful in the postseason, but they do need him to be steady.

Actually, if Odom can find a level of consistency, it could serve the same purpose, because Odom's ability to impact the game from various angles gives the Lakers an advantage no team can match.

At least the Lakers can count on Odom's experience if consistency continues to elude him, and considering he has made pivotal plays in the postseason, it's not a horrible alternative.

Lakers fans would love to see Odom give balanced effort on a nightly basis, but they have learned to accept his flaws in anticipation of the potential he brings.

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Neither player has really distinguished himself among the group of players hoping to join the permanent roster, but if the choice really boils down to Curry or Westbrook, who gets the nod?

Westbrook is a better physical specimen, and more athletic than Curry, but his talents mirror those of Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, who are considered locks to make the team.

All three players share the same ability to penetrate the lane with strength and quickness, and all three are also considered to be superior defensive guards.

Unfortunately Rondo, Rose, and Westbrook also share the reputation of poor perimeter shooters, and Curry's best hopes of making the team may lie in this anomaly.

Curry is arguably the best long distance threat on the USA team's roster, and the importance of three point shooting is magnified in international play.

The international game is based on the ability to control tempo through ball movement and perimeter scoring, and the offense is usually started from the perimeter rather than the post.

Momentum swings are pivotal in international play and the ability to match an opponent on a hot streak from the perimeter could be important, if not necessary.

Team USA has plenty of offensive options in players such as Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, and Lamar Odom, but history has taught us that a lack of consistent perimeter scoring could spell doom for Team USA.

The 2004 Olympic team included LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, who are considered two of the NBA's top basketball players, but the lack of perimeter scoring was one of the reasons that team was forced to settle for a bronze medal.

From a defensive point of view most people consider Westbrook to be better than Curry, but Rondo and Rose are arguably better than Westbrook on on the defensive end, and Curry did rank fourth in the NBA in steals.

Curry is not an over-powering defensive player, but he plays the passing lanes well, and his size has not made him the defensive liability that some thought he would be.

In fact, both Curry and Westbrook are 6'3", and although Curry may be slight of build, his frame is suited for the finesse style of international play.

An ankle injury recently hobbled Curry, and it remains to be seen if an injury will have any impact on whether he makes the team or not.

Curry did manage to play through the pain of the injury in the U.S.'s exhibition victory over Spain, and the youngest member of the team's roster seems intent on proving he belongs.

Curry's shooting ability is a unique attribute that stands out when compared to other players in consideration for Team USA's final roster spot, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.

I can picture the U.S. team finding themselves in a situation where a three-point shot becomes critical during the course of the World Championships, and as the ball swings around the perimeter, who would you rather have take the shot than Curry?

Westbrook certainly deserves consideration for the talents he brings to the table, but unlike Curry, none of his skills are unique to the team.

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The past few years have seen the importance of statistics as a measuring tool increase, as the inclusion of situational stats and formula ratings systems like PER, or player efficiency ratings, became more popular.

These complex statistical systems have been incorporated into the arguments of many people who offer their own opinion on who the NBA's top player is. And in some cases people have even created their own tools based on the same science.

There is a wide range of opinions regarding who the NBA's best player is, but the arguments usually end with Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James residing at the tops of various lists.

Based on many of the statistical formulas Bryant has been surpassed as the league's best player, and according to some people's calculations, he may not even belong in the top three.

Some observers feel the argument has shifted to Wade and James, and numbers as well as some obvious truths have been used as evidence to advance this theory.

For instance, Bryant's age and the fact his physical skills have began to erode is frequently used to explain why Wade may now reign as the league's top shooting guard.

Wade gets to the rim more frequently, has more lift in his legs, and is perceived to impact the game in more areas than Bryant.

To be fair, Bryant no longer possesses the lightening quick first step which made it nearly impossible to stay in front of him, and knee ailments have robbed him of the explosiveness he used to attack the basket.

Age and the wear of 14 seasons have definitely taken a toll on Bryant's body, but numbers fail to paint a clear picture in a season where Bryant still excelled, despite extenuating circumstances.

Bryant's 27 points per game during the regular season was the fourth highest in the NBA, and his 29.2 points per game during the course of the playoffs was second.

But what statistic does one use to measure the fact Bryant posted those types of numbers while playing with a fractured finger on his shooting hand?

How do you measure the quality which enabled Bryant to calmly sink seven game-winning shots last season, many of which occurred after his finger was injured?

This does not prove that Bryant is the NBA's top player, but the fact he accomplished those things does not usually reflect in statistics.

Neither does public opinion.

James captured his second consecutive NBA MVP award last season, and was generally considered as the NBA's top player, until his Cleveland Cavalier's team failed in the playoffs.

After that loss the majority of the public opinion shifted back towards Bryant as the league's top player, and it was only affirmed after Bryant earned his second consecutive Finals' MVP award.

Few would argue that James remains the NBA's most talented player after his playoff debacle, but many people were now hesitant to call him the league's best, because of his body language in the postseason.

During this period, Wade existed mostly in the shadows of the discussion but he was thrust into the spotlight after this Summer's historic free agency signing period.

When Chris Bosh and James decided to join Wade in Miami the public's attitude began to shift again as Wade became a more prominent figure in the conversation.

In the public's eyes Bryant had lost the mantle of the NBA's top player, even though he was only weeks removed from his fifth NBA championship.

In recent weeks, more statistical evidence has began to mount in the case against Bryant, and people who cling to the theory that he remains the game's best are roundly accused of refusing to accept the inevitable.

Even Bryant's 2010 NBA Finals' MVP award is being devalued in the wake of his 6-24 shooting performance in Game Seven, but that performance also offers evidence that supports Bryant.

Bryant did have a horrible night from the field, but his 23 points were still the most scored by any player in the game, and his 15 rebounds were second only to Pau Gasol's 18.

Bryant's ability to remain relevant in the contest despite his shooting woes is another instance that is hard to measure with statistics, because it's impossible to gauge instincts and competitive nature with a number.

To say Bryant would rank high in those categories is an understatement, and if one looked solely at career achievements to this point, who really ranks as the NBA's top player?

It would be equally hard to argue with Bryant's 25,000-plus career points, eight first team all-NBA defensive team selections, or five NBA championships, but even those numbers are victims to the public's perception.

The fact that Bryant has spent half of his career as a participant in the NBA Finals is but a minor detail when it comes to the subjective rankings of NBA players today.

The simple truth is, there is no definitive way to judge who the NBA's best player truly is, and any attempt to do so will always come down to a matter of opinion.

Numerous formulas have been used to advance any number of theories, but in Bryant's case where does his impact on the overall success of his team last season rank, and how much weight does it hold in the debate?

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