From: ravi@wti.com (Ravi Raj)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Laker Notes
Date: 1 Oct 92 19:18:06 GMT
Organization: Wavefront Technologies Inc, Santa Barbara, CA

Compare the (probable) Laker line-up for the upcoming season with
the line-up of the Western Conference champion Lakers from 1990-91.


        1992-93  line-up                        1990-91  line-up
	================                        ================

	Starters                                Starters
	--------                                --------
	Magic Johnson (PG)                      Magic Johnson (PG)
	Byron Scott   (SG)                      Byron Scott   (SG)
	Vlade Divacs  (C)                       Vlade Divacs  (C)
	James Worthy  (SF)                      James Worthy  (SF)
	Sam Perkins   (PF)                      Sam Perkins   (PF)

	Bench                                   Bench
	-----                                   -----
	A.C. Green    (PF)                      A.C. Green    (PF)
	Anthony Peeler (SG)                     Michael Thompson  (C/PF)
	Sedale Threatt (PG/SG)                  Tony Smith  (PG/SG)
	James Edwards  (C)                      Elden Campbell (C/PF)
	Elden Campbell (C/PF)                   Larry Drew  (PG)
	Duane Cooper  (PG/SG)                   Keith Owens (???)
	Sean Higgins  (SG/SF)                   can't remember

	Coach: Randy Pfund                      Coach: Mike Dunleavy
	Asst:  Billy Bertka                     Asst:  Billy Bertka
	       Michael Cooper                          Randy Pfund


  The starting line-up is identical to the one in 1990-91. And the 
  bench has since been strengthened with the addition of Sedale
  Threatt, a revitalized A.C. Green, an emerging Elden Campbell,
  an aging but experienced James Edwards, 2 decent draft picks 
  (including one who was long touted to be among the top 5 picks), 
  and one signee. (Higgins).

  So the team is stronger, right? Well, that is debatable! Most
  people would agree the bench is stronger now. But the starting
  line-up? For one, they are 2 years older now. 3 have undergone 
  surgeries (Worthy - orthoscopic, Perkins - shoulder, Vlade - back), 
  one has contracted the HIV virus (Magic Johnson), and another has gone
  thru' an entire season just being a spectator (Byron Scott).

  The coaching staff has changed too. A brand new head coach (Randy
  Pfund) has taken over. A defensive genius of no so long ago, Michael 
  Cooper, is the new assistant coach.  I've seen Randy Pfund coach here
  at Westmont College in Santa Barbara.  For one, he definitely wasn't
  as conservative as Dunleavy used to be. And he says he wants to 
  bring the famous Laker running game back. The Dunleavy style - "milk 
  the clock and get the ball to Worthy or Perkins" might be history.
  The similarity with Pat Riley might turn out to be more than just 
  their hair styles. :-) 

  So where does that leave Sam Perkins and James Edwards?  Sam Perkins
  was traded for in 1990 just to fit into the Dunleavy game plan.
  And the Buddha was used to a "tight defence, less aggressive offense"
  style in Detroit.  Peeler and Cooper though should fit quite well into
  this new game plan.

  How about chemistry? How is Threatt going to feel being a starter
  one game and a sub in the other? How is the team going to adjust
  to Magic's presence and absence? And Magic himself, is he going
  to be as good as he was in the All-Star game? Will he be able to 
  motivate Vlade and get the ball to Byron the way he always used to? 
  And will Worthy be able to bring back old memories?  Only time will tell!
-- 
--
Ravi N. Raj                                   ravi@wti.com
                                              Lakers - Knicks '93