Mike Kahn's Top 50 NBA Players

This guy is officially high.

FOX Sports 1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers - He's grown up to 6-9, 260 -- Karl Malone size with Michael Jordan explosiveness. Now if he can only get consistent in his shooting, he'll be unstoppable.

2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

Incredible toughness playing through hand injury and still the best clutch shooter in the game. He even showed leadership that carried them to the Finals, where he finally ran out of gas.

This guy must be on some incredibly strong weed. EVERYBODY in the NBA knows that Kobe's #1. LeBron even said it himself on numerous occasions. This guy is just a hater.

Crawford and Giles Waived

I knew that Coby was staying.

Lakers.com The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on guard Joe Crawford and forward C.J. Giles, it was announced today.

This once again tells that rumors are just rumors and usually don't hold any water.

Lamar Unappreciated

There have been a good many Lakers fans that are upset with Lamar Odom's Finals play, his pre-season play, and his play in general. But what people don't realize what he does for this team.

How many small forwards can play power forward and center? Not only does Lamar do that, but he does it well. He is capable of playing all five positions, has good ball-handling, and can post up. Not to mention his the great defense he provides and the fact he averaged a double-double out of position. He even plays when he is injured.

More Lakers fan should think about this before the try to trade one of the best all around players in the league

Kobe Still Need Legwork

LA Times Long after the NBA Finals ended in mid-June, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol took center stage in an international theater, helping their respective countries to gold and silver finishes at the Beijing Olympics.

Has there been a carry-over effect from almost two months' worth of overtime?

Gasol seems to be faring fine on the court this month, but Bryant has looked fatigued at times, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

"Kobe still looks to me like his legs might be a little bit tired," Jackson said. "So I constantly ask him if he wants to take a day off or if he needs a day off. I check in with him."

Bryant sat out a few practices the first week of training camp and was sidelined for the second part of Friday's practice after feeling a twinge in his back. He is not expected to miss preseason games tonight and Sunday at Staples Center.

Bryant's shot has been somewhat flat in preseason play. He is shooting 36% (nine for 25) in three exhibition games.

"That's all legs," Jackson said. "He's got to get his legs into it."

Bryant also had a subpar exhibition season a year ago, but he snapped back to life with a 45-point effort in the season opener against Houston and eventually won his first league most-valuable-player award.

The Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 28 against Portland.

2008-2009 Lakers Preview

Wow. After a unexpected break-out season, the Lakers had an usually quiet off-season. In the pass few years, Phil Jackson, Shaq, Kobe, Jerry Buss, Tex Winter, Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker, Jim Buss, and Andrew Bynum all have been thrown under the bus. Now a new season had arrived, and the Lakers expect to rebuild a dynasty. Much focus has been given to the idea of having Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in the paint for the Lakers. Lakers fans believe this Dynamic Duo can be the most dominating 4-5 punch in the NBA.

During the summer, we have lost fan-favorite big man Ronny Turiaf, re-signed our sharp shooting machine Sasha Vujacic, and signed out 2007 Second Draft Pick, Sun Yue. Since there as been much shifting for the 3-4-5 positions, lets see how every position lines up:

Point Guard
Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, Sun Yue.
Mr. .4 is aging. He's 34, and point guards are usually done at about 32. This means Jordan will probably play the majority of the time, and Derek being used in the clutch. Maybe next season if Jordan becomes more clutch, he'll start (See 2008 Western Conference Semi-Finals). As for Yue, he should have came last season, when there were more roster spots.

Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Coby Karl, Joe Crawford
This off-season, the Black Mamba led the US to the gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games and elected not to have surgery to fix his pinky finger. He's reached the big 3-0, and many wonder how many good years he has left. (Kobe takes care of himself, so he won't wash up like Shaq). Meanwhile, after a long holdout, The Machine got contract he wanted. According to Lakers play-by-play commentator Spero Dedes, his trainers have been concerned about him over training. This may have been true when what was thought to be a a moderate sprain to his left ankle turned out to be an avulsion fracture. Fans have been worried that he might stop working hard since he has the big contract (like some people we know, but i digress). As for the 3rd 2-guard spot, it will most likely go to Coby Karl, who spent a significant portion of his season at the D-League. Hey, he knows the triangle.

Small Forward
Lamar Odom, Vladimir Radmanovic, Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza
While Trevor seems ranked far down, many want him to start, and he's looks like he getting significant minutes. Shouldn't start until he improves his outside shot and drinks more milk. Lamar seems to be looking at the bright side of being a 6th man, and Phil likes Luke. Look for any of the start any given night, depending on what people throw at us.

Power Forward
Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell
The best steal, I mean trade, in modern NBA history weaknesses were revealed in the NBA Finals. He's not a center, just a power forward who plays well away from the ball and is not physically intimidating. Look for him to average a double-double. In case of injury, Lamar can slide to the 4 spot and play in the paint. Good chance Powell is D-League waiting to happen.

Center
Andrew Bynum, Chris Mihm, DJ Mbenga
During a break-out season, Andrew Bynum landed on Lamar's leg, and hasn't played regular season ball since. He's not meshing with Pau Gasol exactly, but we'll give them time. BREAKING NEWS: Chris Mihm is COMPLETELY HEALTHY. Hopefully with him healthy, we'll see the Mihm of the 05-06 season.