61-year old Mike D’Antoni was the Lakers’ third head coach in 2012-13 (Mike Brown and Bernie Bickerstaff), and he did a so-so job.  He led the Lakers to a 40-32 (55.6%) record during the regular season despite having four sure fire Hall of Famers in his starting lineup.  The Lakers got swept 4-0 in the playoffs, but I can’t blame that on D’Antoni as they were ravaged by injuries to their guards.  D’Antoni is now 428-371 (53.6%) during the regular season in his first 11 years as an NBA head coach.  He is also 26-33 (44.1%) as a head coach in the playoffs in his career so far.  I don’t think that D’Antoni is the answer for the Lakers, but I don’t think they will want to pay another head coach in 2013-14 along with him and Mike Brown, so his job is probably safe for the 2013-14 season.

The Lakers didn’t have much P.T. available for their rookies in 2012-13.  23-year old center Robert Sacre played in 32 games (3 starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 6.3 minutes, 1.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  Sacre only shot 37.5% from the floor and 63.6% from the free throw line last year, which is pretty horrible for a center.  23-year old shooting guard Darius-Johnson Odom only lasted a short time for the Lakers before they let him go.  He played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 1.5 minutes, 0.0 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game.

The Lakers finished up with a 45-37 record in 2012-13, which had them finish in 3rd place in the Pacific Division, 11 games behind the Clippers.  The Lakers were then swept out of the playoffs in four straight games by the San Antonio Spurs.  Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts for the Lakers in 2012-13, in my opinion:

TEAM MVP:  Kobe Bryant – When 34-year old shooting guard Kobe Bryant went down to injury late in the 2012-13 season, it ended any hope of the Lakers’ making a deep playoff run.  Bryant played in 78 games (all starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 38.6 minutes, 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  Bryant had 16 double-doubles and 3 triple-doubles last year.  Bryant scored at least 30 points in a game 35 times in 2012-13 for the Lakers.  He also had 10 or more rebounds 7 times, 10 or more assists 11 times and 3 or more steals 12 times last year.  Kobe proved in 2012-13 that he still has plenty left in the gas tank.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:  Steve Nash – 39-year old point guard Steve Nash just couldn’t stay healthy in 2012-13.  He played in 50 games (all starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 32.5 minutes, 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.  He did still shoot well as he hit 49.7% from the floor, 43.8% from three point range and 92.2% from the free throw line last year.  Nash had 8 double-doubles for the Lakers last year.  He only scored more than 20 points four times last year and he had 10 or more assists 10 times in 2012-13.  He looked like a shell of his former self in 2012-13.

BIGGEST SURPRISE:  Earl Clark – 25-year old power forward Earl Clark was just a throw in for the Lakers in the Dwight Howard deal last summer.  He played in 59 games (36 starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 23.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  Clark had 11 double-doubles for the Lakers last year.  Clark scored at least 10 points in 22 games last year and he had at least 10 rebounds in 12 games.

The Lakers got blasted again by the Spurs last night and it ended their season with a loud thud!  Paul Gasol led the way for the Lakers last night with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocked shots.  Andrew Goudelock (14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal), Antawn Jamison (12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 23 minutes) and Chris Duhon (11 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal in 41 minutes off the bench) also pitched in for the Lakers last night.  Dwight Howard checked out early in the third quarter after getting his second technical foul of the game.  He finished up with 7 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist in 21 minutes in what could be his last game as a Los Angeles Laker (he is a free agent this summer).  The Lakers were swept out of the first round 4-0 by the Spurs.

The Lakers got blasted by the visiting Spurs last night in L.A.  The Spurs shot 61.2% from the floor and they outrebounded the Lakers 49-35 last night, which helps explain the scoreboard.  Dwight Howard led the way for the Lakers last night with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots.  Darius Morris (24 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal) and Andrew Goudelock (20 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 3 steals) stepped up offensively for the Lakers last night.  Pau Gasol turned in a triple-double for the Lakers last night with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.  The Lakers are in deep trouble now as they are down 3-0 to the Spurs in this series.

The Lakers are completely decimated at guard for Game #3 and beyond against the Spurs.  PG Steve Nash (hamstring), Steve Blake (hamstring) and Jodie Meeks (partial ligament tear in his ankle) are all likely out indefinitely.  Nash has started both games against the Spurs so far in this series and he is averaging 30.5 minutes, 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.  Blake has played well against the Spurs too, starting both games in which he has averaged 37.5 minutes, 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game.  Meeks has played in 1 game off the bench against the Spurs in this series and he had 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.  These injuries mean the Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock and Chris Duhon will play the bulk of the guard minutes for the Lakers from here on out against the Spurs, unless Blake, Nash or Meeks miraculously get cured in the near future.  Morris has played in both games against the Spurs off the bench in this series and he is averaging 15.5 minutes and 5.0 points per game.  Goudelock didn’t play in any games during the regular season for the Lakers.  He has played in 1 game off the bench in this series and he worked 6 minutes in which he had 2 points, 1 assist and 1 steal.  Duhon has yet to play in this series for the Lakers.  The Lakers are officially in deep, deep trouble against the Spurs now.

The Lakers have been playing big man ball against the Spurs, but they have little choice due to injuries to Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and now Steve Blake.  Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol have been doing their parts to help the Lakers win.  Howard has started both games against the Spurs so far and he is averaging 37.5 minutes, 18.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 3.0 blocked shots per game.  Gasol has started both games against the Spurs and he is averaging 39.0 minutes, 14.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  I have little doubt that Howard and Gasol will keep playing at a high level against the Spurs, but they are going to need help if they are going to have any chance of coming back in this series.

The Lakers played hard, just not good enough to upset the Spurs in San Antonio last night.  Dwight Howard (16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocked shots) and Steve Blake (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal) led the way for the Lakers last night.  Pau Gasol (13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 blocked shot) and Metta World Peace (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot) also pitched in for the Lakers.  Darius Morris also got a lot of work as he finished up with 10 points and 1 steal in 23 minutes off the bench.  The Lakers are now down 2-0 against the Spurs as this series shifts to L.A.

The Lakers played good defense today as they held the Spurs to 37.6% from the floor, but it didn’t matter in the end.  Dwight Howard (20 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocked shots) and Pau Gasol (16 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals) led the way for the Lakers today.  Steve Nash (16 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists) and Steve Blake (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots) gave the Lakers decent work out of the backcourt.  But, the bench didn’t give the Lakers much support today as they only scored 10 points.  The Lakers are now down 1-0 in this series.

I would have thought that the Lakers would have been a darkhorse threat to go all the way in 2012-13, if Kobe Bryant didn’t tear his ACL earlier in April.  The only chance the Lakers really have in this series is to pound the ball inside to Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol and see how it goes.  Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

POINT GUARD:  30-year old Tony Parker just keeps getting better with age.  He played in 66 games (all starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 32.9 minutes, 20.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.  Parker is a veteran of playoff wars as he has played in 152 games (144 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 36.3 minutes, 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Parker is going to cause all kinds of problems for the Lakers’ D.

39-year old Steve Nash is banged up coming into this series, but he will have the ball in his hands more and he could excel with Kobe Bryant out of the picture….as long as his health holds up.  Nash played in 50 games (all starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 32.5 minutes, 12.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.  Nash also shot 43.8% from three point range this year.  Nash has played in 118 games (111 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 35.8 minutes, 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

SHOOTING GUARD:  25-year old Danny Green has really turned himself into a decent player for the Spurs.  He played in 80 games (all starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 27.5 minutes, 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Green has played in 18 games (12 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 16.4 minutes, 6.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

It looks as if the Lakers are going to slide 33-year old Steve Blake from the point to shooting guard for this series.  Blake played in 45 games (13 starts) this year for the Lakers and he averaged 26.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.  Blake has played in 36 games (11 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 24.4 minutes, 5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

SMALL FORWARD:  21-year old Kawhi Leonard is a rising force for the Spurs.  He played in 58 games (57 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 31.2 minutes, 11.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.  Leonard has played in 14 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his young career and he is averaging 27.1 minutes, 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

33-year old Metta World Peace had a nice bounce back season for the Lakers in 2012-13.  He played in 75 games (66 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 33.7 minutes, 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  He has now played in 82 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 37.2 minutes, 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

EDGE:  SLIGHT FOR SPURS

POWER FORWARD:  Gregg Popovich watched 36-year old Tim Duncan’s workload to make sure he was ready for the playoffs.  He played in 69 games (all starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 30.1 minutes, 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocked shots per game.  Duncan has now played in 190 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 39.0 minutes, 22.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 blocked shots per game.

32-year old Pau Gasol has been injured a lot of this season, but he’s healthy and ready to rock for the playoffs.  He played in 49 games (42 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 33.8 minutes, 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  Gasol has played in 101 games (all starts) in the playoffs in his NBA career so far this year and he is averaging 38.7 minutes, 17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

CENTER:  28-year old Tiago Splitter had a breakthrough year in 2012-13, but he’s going to have his hands full with Dwight Howard in this series.  Splitter played in 81 games (58 starts) for the Spurs so far this year and he is averaging 24.7 minutes, 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.  Splitter has played in 16 games (0 starts) so far in the playoffs in his career and he is averaging 13.6 minutes, 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

27-year old Dwight Howard will have to make his free throws in this series if he’s going to help the Lakers, as Coach Popovich is likely to employ the hack a Dwight plan in at least a couple of these games.  Howard played in 76 games (all starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 35.8 minutes, 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 blocked shots per game.  Howard has played in 57 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 39.4 minutes, 19.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.8 blocked shots per game.

EDGE:  HUGE FOR LAKERS

BENCH:  The Spurs might use their bench a little less than usual in this series due to Boris Diaw’s injury and the fact that Manu Ginobili is still banged up.  35-year old shooting guard Manu Ginobili is going to give it a go despite his hammy still bothering him.  He played in 60 games (0 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 23.2 minutes, 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.  He has now played in 136 games (49 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 31.0 minutes, 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  28-year old SG/PG Gary Neal is going to be a big part of the bench in this series for the Spurs.  He played in 68 games (17 starts) this year and he averaged 21.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.  Neal has now played in 20 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 16.4 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  The Spurs might get 23-year old PF/C DeJuan Blair out of mothballs in this series after spending most of the 2012-13 season in Coach Popovich’s Dog House.  Blair played in 61 games (16 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 14.0 minutes, 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Blair has played in 24 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 9.0 minutes, 3.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  33-year old PF/C Matt Bonner will likely take some three pointers off the bench for the Spurs in this series.  Bonner played in 68 games (4 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 13.4 minutes, 4.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Bonner has played in 45 games (5 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 13.2 minutes, 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  24-year old point guard Patrick Mills always seems to play well when called upon by the Spurs.  He played in 58 games (2 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 11.3 minutes, 5.1 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  Mills has played in 13 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 3.7 minutes, 1.6 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.  25-year old shooting guard Nando De Colo played well when he got a chance in his rookie season.  He played in 72 games (6 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 12.8 minutes, 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.  21-year old point guard Cory Joseph won’t likely get off the bench much in the playoffs for the Spurs.  He played in 28 games (9 starts) for the Spurs this year and he averaged 13.9 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.  The Spurs recently signed 33-year old SG/SF Tracy McGrady.  He didn’t play in the NBA this year, as he opted for China instead.  He has played in 44 games (38 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 38.5 minutes, 25.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

The Lakers are likely going to keep the rotation tight in this series, maybe only going nine deep on most nights.  36-year old forward Antawn Jamison signed for the minimum over the summer to go for a ring, so you know he’s going to be plenty motivated in this series.  He played in 76 games (6 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 21.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  He has now played in 42 games (37 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.  25-year old power forward Earl Clark will also be in on the action off the bench.  He played in 59 games (36 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 23.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  Clark has played in 9 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 11.9 minutes, 2.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  25-year old shooting guard Jodie Meeks will be the top guard off the bench for the Lakers.  He played in 78 games (10 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 21.3 minutes, 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  He has now played in 18 games (6 starts) off the bench so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 12.6 minutes, 4.1 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  22-year old guard Darius Morris could also play a little bit in this series.  He played in 48 games (17 starts) for the Lakers this year and he averaged 14.2 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.  Morris has played in 4 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 2.0 minutes, 2.5 points and 0.8 assists per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

COACHING:  No head coach today is as successful as 64-year old Gregg Popovich has been.  He led the Spurs to a 58-24 (70.7%) this year.  Popovich is 118-77 (60.5%) in the playoffs so far in his career and he has led the Spurs to four NBA titles!

61-year old Mike D’Antoni took over early in the season and things didn’t go too well early in the year.  But, he still finished with a 40-32 (55.6%) record this year.  He has had trouble in the playoffs so far in his career as he has a 26-29 (47.3%) record in them.

EDGE:  HUGE FOR SPURS

PREDICTION:  SPURS IN SIX GAMES