What Needs to Happen for a 3-Peat?

The Los Angeles Lakers have been to the last three NBA Finals and won the last two. With the recent success, has came criticism for the Lakers until the second half of the season where they've gone (17-2). So in-order for Phil Jackson to complete his fourth three-peat in his career as a coach there is a few things that need to happen. In this post I will highlight a few things that I believe needs to go right for the Lakers to move through the playoffs and win another championship.

1.)The Bench needs to step up and be consistent.

Besides my 6th Man of the Year award winner Lamar Odom, the bench needs to come out and be consistent. The three important players "The Killer B's," Shannon Brown, Steve Blake, and Matt Barnes need to keep things going when the starters take a break. Jackson has criticized his bench as of late for allowing leagues to blunder. Hopefully this next stretch of games will allow them to get it right. 

Steve Blake showing is physical side.
Courtesy of L.A. Times

Matt Barnes needs to be that
enforcer of the bench in the
playoffs for the Lakers
Courtesy of Foxsports.com

                                                                    



Shannon Brown needs to
continue to score while Bryant
is on the bench.
Courtesy of thirdage.com




















2.) Andrew Bynum needs to continue his second half play into the playoffs. He is averaging a double double since the All-Star break. He is a major part why the Lakers have been so good as of late. If he continues to be a presence in the paint, in a seven game series I can't see another team that can match the Lakers down-low.

Down-low there isn't another
player in the league that can match
up with Bynum except Howard
from theMagic.
Courtesy of NBA.com

3.) Kobe Bryant has to be Kobe Bryant, enough said.

Courtesy of L.A.Times

If all these things go right, the Los Angeles will capture their 17th NBA championship. Kobe would get his sixth, tying him with Michael Jordon and Phil Jackson would have his 11th ring, 12th overall.