LOS ANGELES: Incentives and magical numbers abound for Kobe Bryant and the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers as they enter a new season with their sights set on a record-equalling 17th title. Should they go on to scale those lofty heights, the purple and gold Lakers would draw level with their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics, in the all-time standings. They would also complete a third title in a row, matching their imperious run from 2000 to 2002, while coach Phil Jackson would land his fourth ‘three-peat', having previously recorded two of them when in charge of the Chicago Bulls. The 65-year-old coach would also be able to celebrate his record 12th championship ring as a coach while Bryant would emulate basketball great Michael Jordan by securing his sixth as a player. For all this to be achieved, though, the Lakers would need to plot their way through another long and grueling campaign with the Celtics and the beefed-up Miami Heat looming large as their likeliest challengers. The Celtics, champion in 2008, are a battle-hardened team who were edged 4-3 by the Lakers in last season's finals while the Heat have become a blue-chip force since recruiting All-Stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh to link up with Dwyane Wade. Perhaps the most significant concern for Jackson with the Oct. 26 season-opener against Houston fast approaching is the ongoing fitness of his ageing squad. Nine Lakers players are aged 30 or older and the inspirational Bryant, at 32, is recovering from off-season surgery on his right knee. On top of that, seven-foot (2.1 meters) center Andrew Bynum is expected to be sidelined until at least late November after undergoing surgery three months ago on his troublesome right knee to repair torn cartilage. With Bynum fit, the Lakers can be virtually unstoppable but Jackson suggested earlier this month the 22-year-old could become a role player if he suffers another major injury. With thirty-somethings Bryant, Gasol, Bynum, Derek Fisher, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom representing a top-notch core, the 2010 vintage Lakers certainly have the look and the know-how to add more magical numbers for their fans.
