32-year old small forward Metta World Peace was pretty lousy for the Lakers last year.  They hope he steps up his game in 2012-13.  World Peace played in 64 games (45 starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 26.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.  He has now played in 827 games (766 starts) in his first 13 years in the NBA and he is averaging 33.6 minutes, 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game.  It’s amazing to me that the Lakers convinced 36-year old Antawn Jamison to play for the veteran’s minimum, as he is clearly chasing an NBA Title.  He played in 65 games (all starts) for the Cavaliers last year and he averaged 33.1 minutes, 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.  Jamison has now played in 985 games (858 starts) in his first 14 years in the NBA and he is averaging 36.3 minutes, 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Jamison will play both forward spots for the Lakers in 2012-13.  22-year old Devin Ebanks is back for the 2012-13 season, but he is going to sit near the end of the bench.  Ebanks played in 24 games (12 starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 16.5 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  He has now played in 44 games (12 starts) in his first two years with the Lakers and he is averaging 11.7 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SMALL FORWARDS IN 2012-13:  B-