The only OLD player on the Lakers is Fisher and he’s so strong he doesn’t seem to get injured. Gasol has simply been playing too much basketball but Kobe took time off this summer finally and is the hardest worker in the NBA. And if Bynum can keep his own players from crashing into his knees hopefully he can develop into the best (or 2nd best) big man in the league. A healthy Lakers team romps.

Months ago I wrote elsewhere about the minutes Gasol and Bryant have been logging with their national teams as well as the Lakers. Since then, Gasol has had TWO injuries so far this young season.

If you think the Lakers are shallow now in the backcourt, imagine how they’d fare if Bryant were out for 10 or 12 games.

Just as injuries to the likes of Yao, Ginobli, Garnett, etc. opened the window a little wider for the Lakers, we’ll have to watch and see if two summers of playing long into the NBA Finals, along with TeamUSA commitments, show their toll on Kobe’s 30+ body this season.

- Point guard –

You list Shannon Brown like he is THE backup for Derek Fisher, but for some reason, Phil Jackson is reluctant to give Shannon Brown the minutes he should be earning.

Perhaps it is PJ’s romanticized memories of Craig Hodges, BJ Armstrong, John Paxon and Steve Kerr, — all of whom were outside shooters more than ball handlers, and none of whom were defensive juggernauts, but Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar are getting unwarranted playing time.

Farmar especially is a disappointment. He is usually good for a highlight play or two per game, but despite all the minutes he’s logged in the NBA, he still is a poor decision maker. When he turns the ball over, he usually follows it with a dumb foul. He often misses opportunities to pass in favor of dribbling more than he should. And while he has the speed and athleticism to be a great defender, and sometimes is, usually his man gets by him.

Brown is 6′4″ and quick enough to guard point guards, and isn’t inclined to shoot or overdribble, making him an asset for the Lakers for sure, nevertheless he certainly doesn’t seem ready to take over Fisher’s steady role. Among other things, Fisher is a positive influence on Kobe let’s not forget.

- Shooting guard -

Most of what was written about Kobe was true about 3+ years ago, but since the arrival of Fisher and Gasol, Kobe has been a different player and that has gone unnoticed. Instead of stepping into the role of primary scoring option, Kobe does whatever he sees the Lakers are lacking on the floor, and tries to pick moments to assert his scoring talents.

As a player, Kobe could be better if he would stop whining and play, even when the refs are getting it wrong.

As for a backup 2 guard, the Lakers have none that I feel comfortable depending upon.

In fact, I would rather see Kobe at the point, and Artest play shooting guard with Shannon Brown coming off the bench then I would seeing Vujacic on the floor.

Hopefully PJ is trying to help Vujacic shake his confidence woes early in the season, and hopefully Sasha does. Otherwise, I’d bury him in the bench behind Adam Morrison. The Machine’s warranty has expired.

- Small forward -

Think of the money the Lakers are spending at this position: Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, and Adam Morrison. No wonder Kobe plays small forward almost every game for them now.

Artest is struggling to make open shots. At least Vladimir Radmonovich demanded respect from his jumper and stretched the floor.

But so far this season, despite his offensive inconsistencies, Artest has been a pleasant acquisition defensively. He seems to poke the ball away regularly, and prevent scoring with very strong positional defense.

Artest has, though, over dribbled and bogged down the Lakers offense. Keep an eye on this; it could get worse.

Odom is playing the 4 (power forward) while Gasol is injured. He is also looking very good this season, except he is usually the first Laker to get flustered and undone emotionally speaking when the calls aren’t going the way he thinks they should. The Dallas loss was highly attributable to a lack of mental toughness through adversity, and Lamar Odom was unhinged pretty much all game.

- Power forward –

With apologies to Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol is the best power forward in the NBA right now. His skills, his hustle, and his decision making make him the MVP of the Lakers, I think. He’s not the most talented Lakers, that would be Kobe, but he is the most solid. After Pau, back ups Lamar Odom (who backs up both the 3 and the 4) and Josh Powell make this the only position the Lakers actually have some depth to cover.

- Center -

DJ Mbenga. He’s active, he’s big, he’s zealous and well-meaning, but he’s also lucky to get the minutes he does.

That’s why I think Andrew Bynum is a better x-factor than Artest.

If Artest goes nuts, Lamar is a very adequate replacement (when Pau is healthy). However, if Bynum fails to measure up, the Lakers are forced to play Pau at center again, and the whole look and rotation for the Lakers is off.

I like the Lakers, but their championship last year was aided by key injuries on power teams (Ginobli, Garnett, etc.) which probably would have exposed the Lakers’ lack of depth.

The Lakers can count on 7 players at best, the rest are a roll of the dice on any given night.

I’m finding I like Artest as a Laker more than I thought I would, but I would still rather have Trevor Ariza at that spot. And the Lakers may as well let go of shooting coach Craig Hodges, because I don’t see any end for Sasha’s slump, and Artest certainly isn’t stretching the floor.

The Lakers MAY win the west, depending as always on the injury bug, but in no way, shape or form do they look anywhere near as hungry as the Celtics. What the Celtics are doing defensively is out and out intimidating. It isn’t just that Garnett is back, the whole team is on a mission.

Either the Lakers need to solve their player development issues, or make some trades to make what was once a productive bench mob into legit (and consistent) contributors.

If the Lakers fail to repeat, fans for years to come may look back on the 2009 NBA champions as lucky as much as they were good. Then again, luck has always played a part in sports.