The Los Angeles Lakers were once feared for their size. They had three of the best big men in basketball in Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom, which was pretty much an unstoppable force in a seven-game series. They wore down almost every team they faced with their bigs (except maybe the Cetlics, and then the Mavericks), winning two championships along the way.
That's not the case anymore. Odom is gone, traded to the Mavericks. And the player most likely to replace him as the primary power forward? Also out.
Lakers forward Derrick Caracter tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee at Monday afternoon's practice.
Caracter is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning at the hand of Dr. Steve Lombardo. The Lakers will issue a press release at the conclusion of the surgery for the timetable of Caracter's recovery.
Not to be an alarmist, but with Odom traded and Caracter injured, the list of able Laker power forwards now begins and ends with Pau Gasol. It's a bit of a shocking reversal of fortune for a team once admired for its overall depth up front, but now it looks as if Kobe Bryant will have to shoulder an even greater load coming out of the backcourt, something he can't be happy at all about.
To discuss Caracter and Lakers basketball, head to Silver Screen And Roll.