Is Dwight Howard the Missing Key to the Lakers Puzzle?

courtesy of latimes.com

The Miami Big 3 have been outnumbered...The San Antonio Spurs have been outsmarted.... The Oklahoma City Thunder's stronghold on the Western Conference has been loosened... but The Lakers are not a perfect team, nor are they foolproof picks to win the 2013 NBA title just because Dwight Howard now graces a roster that also includes Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. But any bet on them to edge out top challengers involves smarter money than it did a few days ago, The Lakers are getting the most lockdown defense center in the league, someone who has lead the league in rebounding six of the last seven years, and is capable of averaging 20 points per game. Some say Dwight Howard can't solve the Lakers 3 point shooting and perimeter defense problems... I say otherwise. His muscular frame will draw such a crowd underneath the basket that his teammates will often find themselves open around the three-point arc, and though Howard can't rejuvenate the aging legs of Bryant and Nash he will provide an unrivaled second line of defense on the occasions when speedsters such as Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul blow past their Lakers counterparts.

Nash might just be the happiest new Laker. He gets to run the pick-and-roll with Howard and Gasol, quite the upgrade over former Phoenix Suns teammates Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye, and let's also not forget that Gasol is one of the best passing big men in the league and Bryant is still one of the game's most dynamic talents who remains hellbent on collecting a ring for his other hand. Even the Lakers' bench is better, sixth man Antawn Jamison is capable of scoring on any given night the 21 points the Lakers' reserves cumulatively averaged last season, and newly acquired shooting guard Jodie Meeks will allow Coach Mike Brown to give Bryant more extended breathers than he received in their first season together.

Now crowning the Lakers champions already is extremely foolish, especially since Howard won't be ready 1-2 months into the season due to his back injury. The Thunder are still every bit as potent, the Heat look better than ever, and the Spurs aren't going anywhere, but all should be looking over their shoulders because Mitch Kupchak has put together a Lakers team that hasn't been this good on paper since the early 2000's.

Penn State Football: 5 Things O'brien Must Do to Right the Ship

In the wake of the biggest scandal in NCAA history, unprecedented penalties, and players/recruits leaving almost daily it's safe to say Penn State is in a sink-or-swim scenario. As fall camp is underway these are 5 steps head coach Bill O'brien must take in order to ensure Penn State football doesn't fade away for the foreseeable future:  

courtesy of onwardstate.com

1. Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!- This is a never-ending job for any head coach, but O'Brien has to take it more seriously than most. He doesn't have the capabilities of other programs in light of the NCAA's sanctions, and he's going to have to refine Penn State's sales pitches. The Nittany Lions can't promise the postseason, but they can offer other things. A quality education, NFL dreams and excellent college community are all things to like about Happy Valley. O'Brien must lean on what's left to draw recruits to campus.Penn State will struggle with this. The future success of its program relies on O'Brien's ability to lure blue-chip talent.


2. Balance the Offense- Matt McGloin can't carry an offense, and he doesn't have much help left. Silas Redd is gone, and he was easily Penn State's best offensive weapon. O'Brien has to make sure his offense remains balanced. The run game isn't strong enough to move the chains consistently, and McGloin can't do it all himself. They must keep defenses off balance and get creative.This may be the toughest part until we see what O'Brien is working with for the coming years.


3. Stay Positive-  This is simple. O'Brien, even if the Nittany Lions are losing games, must stay positive. We've already seen Penn State's players doing countless interviews speaking about their family-like atmosphere and dedication to the university. O'Brien must confirm those feelings and make sure they don't waver during hard times.The Nittany Lions are going to lose some games over the next four, or more years. O'Brien has to make sure his players keep their heads on straight and keep their mission in mind.


4. Focus on New Legacy-  No one is saying the words forgive or forget. That isn't necessary, and that would be a dangerous thing to do. But Penn State players must separate themselves from Joe Paterno's broken legacy and create their own.O'Brien and his players are in the same boat. Each side is working with a clean slate, and neither side is expected to succeed on the field. Penn State's program needs to find a new direction, and O'Brien has to make sure it has definite differences from Paterno's years in Happy Valley.

courtesy of thematadorsports.com 

5. Keep Saying the Right Things- This, in my opinion, is the No. 1 priority. O'Brien must establish himself as a rallying point for the "new" Penn State football program. As an outside product, he must be the shining light at the end of a very dark tunnel in Happy Valley. O'Brien has a way about him that's both "real" and positive. He has an unquestionable energy and a valiant, "glass half full" approach. There's nothing fake about him, and he truly believes what he says. O'Brien's attitude and energy is the best thing about him. Even if the talent on Penn State's sidelines doesn't produce wins right away, Penn State fans know O'Brien's head is in the right place.