Falling Lakers

Before the season started, I had the feeling that Lakers had no chance to win this year -- even go to the final. Actually their best chance in the next a few years was the playoff of last year when they screwed.  Now one month in the regular season, Lakers are at 12-9 and are fighting for a playoff seat in West.

There are a few sparkling moments when Kobe scored 40+ for 4 consecutive games, and hopefully that is not the last a few drops in his tank.

Why does Lakers fall so hard?

1. Lost two role players Odom and S Brown, but no new blood. Brown is a very good young player, a dependable substitute for Kobe. I am not sure why Lakers did not given him a contract. Bass is getting meaner because he is older.
2. The core of Lakers are older and older. Kobe has played 16 seasons and still plays 40+ minutes per game. Can he do this continuously in playoff? Fisher is way too old for a starting PG. Gasol is not as good as last year. Bynum is OK, but can we trust him for an entire season? The most disappointed is MWP. 
3. Lack of young talent. Phil was never a good coach that can find and grow young talents. 
4. Other teams are improving such as Clippers and Thunders etc. Some teams have been going through  reconstruct in the past a few years are now paid off such as Houston, Pacers and 76ers. 
5. Brown is a mediocre coach.  

What are Lakers' opportunities now?  They are way over the salary limit now, so the only thing they can do is to trade. But they do not have many players that have trade value except Gasol and Bynum. After this year, they will clear some salary room, but Kobe will be another year older. So I think they will suffer in the next a few years. 

Hope I am wrong because it is always my favorite team ......