Meet the 2008-09 Lakers
Guard; 6-6, 205
Career averages (12 seasons): 25.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists
2007-08 averages (82 games): 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists
The reigning
Center; 7-0, 285
Career averages (3 seasons): 7.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocked shots
2007-08 averages (35 games): 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocked shots
After having last season cut short with a knee injury as he blossomed into a powerful force, Andrew Bynum will team with Pau Gasol to give the Lakers one of the most formidable one-two combinations on the front line. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
Power forward; 7-0, 250
Career averages (7 seasons): 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocked shots
2007-08 averages (27 games): 18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 blocked shots
After his arrival last season as
Point guard; 6-3, 210
Career averages (12 seasons): 9.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals
2007-08 averages (82 games): 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals
The battle-tested veteran will play fewer minutes this season with the emergence of
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Forward; 6-10, 230
Career averages (9 seasons): 15.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists
2007-08 averages (77 games): 14.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Will he become a starter and join
Point guard; 6-2, 180
Career averages (2 seasons): 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists
2007-08 averages (82 games): 9.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists
His continued improvement as a playmaker and scorer gives the Lakers one of the top reserve floor leaders in the league. Expect the third-year guard to play more than the 20.2 minutes he averaged last season. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Guard; 6-7, 205
Career averages (4 seasons): 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 points, 38.1% three-point shooting
2007-08 averages (72 games): 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 43.7% three-point shooting
His improved three-point shooting and scoring last season made the Lakers’ second unit a force. He’ll need to reproduce those numbers to help the team return to the
Forward; 6-8, 210
Career averages (4 seasons): 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals
2007-08 averages (24 games): 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals
He became a defensive stopper for the second unit after arriving in a mid-season trade with the
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Center; 7-0, 265
Career averages (7 seasons): 7.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 blocked shots
2007-08 averages (23 games): 3.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.6 blocked shots
After fighting through injuries the last two seasons, the Lakers are hoping he returns to form when in his first 120 games with the team he averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game, which would give them added depth in the middle. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Luke Walton
Forward; 6-8, 235
Career averages (5 seasons): 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
2007-08 averages (74 games): 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Although he appears to be the odd man out with a glut of small forwards on the roster, his playmaking ability in the triangle offense and willingness to accept whatever role he is given is a bonus to an already deep team. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Josh Powell
Power forward; 6-9, 240
Career averages (3 seasons): 4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds
2007-08 averages (64 games with Clippers): 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds
This reserve big man gives the Lakers one more big body to clog the middle on defense, eat up rebounds and provide some muscle for the second unit. (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)
DJ Mbenga
Center; 7-0, 255
Career averages (4 seasons): 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds
2007-08 averages (26 games): 2.5 points, 1.6 rebounds
Ignore the numbers. He speaks five languages, and no matter what language you speak, he’ll put a body on you and try to reject your shot. He chases after all rebounds and guys attacking the basket. That’s during the limited minutes he plays. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Sun Yue Guard; 6-9, 205
This rookie shooting guard played in the
