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 Los Angeles Lakers are sitting at 25-29 (46.3%) at the All-Star Break.  They are now sitting in the #10 spot in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Rockets.  Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts for the Lakers in the first half of the 2012-13 season:

Team MVP:  Kobe Bryant – 34-year old shooting guard Kobe Bryant has carried the Lakers in the first half of the 2012-13 season.  He has played in 54 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 38.4 minutes, 26.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  The Lakers need Bryant to have a big time second half, if he’s going to get them back to the playoffs in 2012-13.

Biggest Surprise:  Earl Clark – 25-year old power forward Earl Clark was a throw-in last summer in the Dwight Howard deal with the Magic.  He has really stepped up lately for the Lakers as he has played in 31 games (18 starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 23.0 minutes, 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Biggest Disappointment:  Pau Gasol – The Lakers’ coaches have been using Gasol wrong and he has suffered quite a few injuries so far this year.  He has played in 36 games (29 starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 33.4 minutes, 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

The Lakers had the goal of winning another NBA Championship in 2011-12, but they fell short.  They got whacked 4-1 by the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.  The Lakers were 41-25 (62.1%) during the regular season and 5-7 (41.7%) in the playoffs in 2011-12.  Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts for the Lakers in my opinion:

Team MVP:  Kobe Bryant – 33-year old shooting guard Kobe Bryant turned in another outstanding year for the Lakers in 2011-12.  Bryant played in 58 games (all starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 38.5 minutes, 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Biggest Surprise:  Andrew Bynum – At the age of 25, Andrew Bynum turned into one of the best centers in the entire NBA.  He played in 60 games (all starts) for the Lakers last year and he averaged 35.2 minutes, 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game.

Biggest Disappointment:  Metta World Peace – 32-year old small forward Metta World Peace had a rough time last year.  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.  World Peace only shot 39.4% from the floor, 29.6% from three point range and 61.7% from the free throw line last year.