This season found the Los Angeles Lakers coming off a disappointing second straight 1st round playoff loss.  Laker Leader Kobe Bryant made his unhappiness clear with his very public criticism of management and a demand to be traded.  The season started with low expectations and Kobe being booed by Lakers fans but things soon improved with the re-signing of Derek Fisher and the Los Angeles Lakers young superstar Andrew Bynum having a dream year.  The Lakers were playing consistently and looked like a contender but then Bynum was side-lined by a serious injury and expected to be out at least 8 weeks, and fans and critics were quick to point out last seasons 2nd half collapse. As the Los Angeles Lakers were about to embark on their longest ever continueous road trip, General Manager Mitch Kupchak traded away the deadwood that was the never realized potential of Kwame Brown, for 7 foot Memphis Grizzlie player Pau Gasol.  In what could be considered the deal that changed the entire Western Confernce and  with the soon to be expected return of Bynum,  the Lakers look to be the NBAs premier team this year and for many years to come.