NBA Lakers Rumors 2012: With Dwight Howard, LA Still Has Team Issues to Address

The NBA Lakers rumors for 2012 are now starting to focus on how this team can get better. Yes, that's right, even with the addition of Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, and already having superstar Kobe Bryant in LA, the team still has some issues to address.

Recent Lakers rumors have talked about everything from the fact that Kobe was almost a member of the Mavs, to the concept that LA is the team to beat in the NBA. When it comes to "Big 3" combinations, it seems hard to argue against what the Lakers have assembled for their team. Most teams would love to have the #1 center in the league, or even a top 5 center. Many teams would love to have a great point guard, or shooting guard to lead the way. LA has all three, but that doesn't make them invincible, does it?

According to a new Bleacher Report article, LA has to address several weaknesses with their team. They include the ability to play well on the road, the ability to play better defense, the need for a solid small forward rotation, possible locker room banter over how things are working or not, and the question mark of how Kobe Bryant will fit into things this season. With that last point, basically with a big 3 situation, not everyone is going to be the star, all the time. That didn't seem to matter so much in Miami, as LeBron has taken over as the star there, and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been able to co-star just fine. Surely Kobe will be able to acclimate to having Nash at point guard, and D-Howard in the middle?

As for the other weaknesses, it's early to say how bad the Lakers will be on the road or at defense, but on paper right now, they look like a tough opponent no matter where they play. Dwight Howard brings defense to the team as he's been All Defensive Team four times, and on the second team once, in addition to winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times. Kobe Bryant has been on that first team nine times, and the second team three times. Meta World Peace also has several appearances on first, second, or third team on his resume, so it may not be such a problem.

As for the locker room, it's likely that LA could become a media circus, and that could play into things, but Kobe has to be used to the attention by now. He's played with Shaq and other stars in Los Angeles, and had Phil Jackson as a coach and mentor. Jackson brought his zen-like wisdom to the Bulls who were another media circus, perhaps the biggest of all time. There will be plenty of questions launched at Howard over whether or not he's going to remain in town, and of course those always popular "retirement" type questions for Nash or Kobe. If things aren't working out so well for this super team, then things could get heated in the locker room, but just out of speculation, it seems they have the world at their fingertips for the taking in the 2012-13 NBA season.

Which issues do you think will affect the LA Lakers most in the upcoming season, or are they truly the toughest team to beat this season?

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