In the past five years the Laker have won two NBA Championship and appeared in another, but it has been two seasons since the last victory. So GM Mitch Kupchak began a retooling process and made the flashiest moves in the offseason.
The Lakers pulled off a shocking trade for their division rival's best player, Steve Nash. The Lakers were able to trade Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard and then solidified their bench with the acquisitions of Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison.
The Lakers' starting five is formidable, with two former NBA MVPs in Bryant and Nash, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard another Defensive Player of the Year Metta World Peace and a four-time All-Star Pau Gasol.
Meek is the acquisition that could be the biggest steal for the Lakers. He averages 37.1 percent on 3-pointers and playing him could help to keep Kobe fresh for the end of important games. Power forward Jordan Hill is also a key player coming off of the bench and gives the Lakers a rebounder on the bench.
If the Lakers are going to be successful as a team all of these new player will have to develop team chemistry. Will the Lakers be able to overcome the budding young powerhouse in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder?
According to NBA 2K13, the Lakers will have a very successful 2012-13 campaign and will play the Miami Heat for the NBA Championship. The Lakers ultimately fall short of their goal as Lebron James and the Miami Heat are able to beat them in seven games.
Here is how the game simulates the Lakers' season:
Regular Season Record: 53-29 second in the Western Conference
Top scorers: PF Pau Gasol 16 PPG, C Dwight Howard 23.5PPG, SG Kobe Bryant 27.7 PPG
Leading rebounders: PF Antawn Jamison 7.2 RPG, PF Pau Gasol 8.6 RPG, C Dwight Howard 11.6 RPG
Assist Leader: SF Meta World-Peace 2.9 APG, SG Kobe Bryant 4.7 APG, PG Steve Nash 10.5 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1 Phoenix Suns, The Lakers win the series 4-0
Round 2: Golden State Warriors, The Lakers win the series 4-1
Eastern Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers win the series 4-3
NBA Finals: Miami Heat, The Heat win the series 4-3
You check out our review of the game here and read about Jeremy Lin's player rating here.
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
Dallas Mavericks
Milwaukee Bucks
Detroit Pistons
Charlotte Bobcats
Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers