Amico Report
From L.A. to Houston and beyond
Sam Amico - NBA Wire Contributor
Dec. 1, 2005
The computer virus is gone, the newsletter is back, and the NBA is one month into the 2005-06 season. Yes, life is good again. At least it is for fans like us, as fascinating storylines from around the league are already taking shape.
Let's take a look:
- It amazes me that everyone seems so surprised by the Lakers' lack of success. After all, this is a team that failed to make the playoffs last year, and other than re-hiring Phil Jackson, did little in the off-season to improve itself.
- I don't think it's too early to say that trading Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington was a mistake. It's true that the Lakers needed another big man, but you'd think they could have received more than Kwame Brown in return for two valuable starters. Brown remains an outstanding natural athlete who possesses no real basketball skills. He also has yet to shed his label of laziness. The Lakers were hoping Brown would become a Horace Grant-type by playing aggressive around the basket. So far, that hasn't been the case --as Brown is shooting just 40 percent from the floor and averaging an unimpressive 6.2 rebounds per game.
- Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant has been as phenomenal as ever. He is still a clutch shooter who can score at will, and one of the league's most underrated passers and defenders. But not even Michael Jordan could do it alone --and while Kobe is great, he's no Michael. So expect there to be a lot of nights where Bryant scores 40, and the Lakers lose.
- I love 18-year old Lakers rookie center Andrew Bynum, who has already displayed loads of potential. Heck, the kid even shot a sky-hook the other day --not a big surprise, considering sky-hook master Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Bynum's personal coach. Still, Bynum has a lot to learn and won't be ready to contribute for at least another season. In other words, trading Shaquille O'Neal two summers ago is looking more and more like the worst move in Lakers history. They went from being a regular championship contender to a team that will consistently struggle to make the playoffs.
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