Los Angeles Lakers: New Piece of the Puzzle Just Doesn’t Fit

Last year's magical run left Laker fans spoiled. No major riffs between players, no lapse in effort, and every player knew their role and embraced it.

This year's squad just isn't the same.

Kobe Bryant is the same dude. He can put up 25 in his sleep. He knows exactly what it takes to win and has the determination and drive to do it. I loved hearing that he worked on his post moves all summer with Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon.

He knows he doesn't have the lift he used to when he was posterizing players left and right. Bryant's game is still just as effective with mid-range jumpers, fade-aways, and up-and-unders. He epitomizes the way an aging super-star should play.

He isn't the problem. Neither is Lamar Odom...

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