Optimistic? These Are Your 2013-14 Lakers (NBA Preview)

You can try the best you can

If you try the best you can

The best you can is good enough.....

Well here we are. Another NBA season. As happy as I am for various reasons (Return of D-Rose, Miami’s 3-peat bid, Dwight Howard in H-Town - yes, I want to see him do well), I’m also staring dead at a Lakers team with the lowest expectations I’ve seen in 10 years.

Steve Nash is pushing 40. Pau Gasol is still at a high level but hurting. And of course, Kobe Bryant won’t be starting the season opener for the first time in ages. And this is what the starting lineup looks like tonight.

D'Antoni confirms starters as Nash, Blake, Young, Williams and Gasol against the Clippers
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 29, 2013

Yeah, this is what they are. A decent lineup that doesn't strike much fear. It’s a reminder that this team has to prove what they are. Not just to the doubters but to the fans who want to know what the Mad Doctor Mike D’Antoni will cook up. Year 2 of his tenure scares me because he’s still the coach and unless he magically decides to commit to defense, everything’s a tossup.

That’s why I feel like Radiohead’s Kid A. Coming to a new world that looks familiar but is radically different and unpredictable. Yet, I’m trying to stay optimistic with Thom Yorke’s sad, bleak voice encouraging me.

Video: Lakers are Playoff Bound (And Everybody's Celebrating?)

The Lakers didn't just make the playoffs, they got in as the No. 7 seed. This cursed season will continue at least for one more week and I like their chances to at least make this series with the Spurs interesting. Both teams are veteran based and have young guys who can contribute and change the tempo.

I should add that one factor I forgot to consider in my video. Gregg Popovich vs. Mike D'Antoni. This might be an underrated match-up considering that Pop has owned Antoni for the last decade and remember, when the Suns beat the Spurs in the 2010 playoffs, Alvin Gentry was coaching that team.

Maybe my boys are doomed worse than I thought? Hard to play chess with a chessmaster when you barely know how to use what you have against other coaches.

Either way, enjoy the video. Enjoy Gary Clark Jr., who I'm bummed came out here Tuesday night and I missed his show. I'll be on a podcast later tonight talking about the playoffs and I'll post that link when it goes up.