Yeah, I completely agree with everything you just said. Another thing to point out is that in order for that roster to work, some of them have to make concessions to make it work. So far, I don't think that's going to happen. Kobe demands the ball all the time, and he was barely even willing to make concessions when Shaq was part of the team. Since Shaq left, it's all been about Kobe, and how everyone else around him has to give him concessions to make the team work. Therefore, should any of us really be expect anything different now at his age?
To make matters worse, Kobe isn't even playing defense the same way he used to because he's not getting the ball in his favorite spots. As for Nash, I love how he plays, but the reality is that he can't play defense to save his life. Injuries aside, Nash can only play on a team that's committed to running the up tempo offense with 3 point shooters galore (something the lakers lack), and tall men for alley-oop passes. But wait, Pau Gasol wants to post up, so that negates Nash's style of play. Or heck, Nash should've tried going back to Dallas, where they run the zone defensive schemes; which would've hidden Nash's inability to play defense.
And let's be honest, the lakers had arguably the worst back court defense last year, and it's even worse this year because Nash is a defensive liability. don't get me wrong, i like the guy, and i hope he wins a title someday, but I'm just being honest.
As for Dwight Howard, he's playing for a contract next year. Do you honestly believe he'll resign with the Lakers after this season? Hell no. I wouldn't if I were in his shoes. If anything, I highly expect Dwight to sign a contract with Brooklyn along with a contract extension of Derron Williams.
The Lakers problem is that they want to win now all the time, even though the reality is that it might be time to take a note from the Spurs, and start planting seeds for the future. Take how the spurs adjusted their offense over the years. It used to be centered around Duncan. But as he's gotten older, and with the league turning into more of a point guard driven one, you'll notice that Duncan is no longer the centerpiece of that offense. The lakers really need to start planning ahead, and do the same thing with Kobe Bryant. But wait, Kobe doesn't want to make concessions, so that's not going to happen.
As for Ron Artest, he's a mere shadow of the player he was. As for Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard, there's no reason in the world they should be playing up tempo basketball, as two 7 footers automatically gives them a height advantage. Sadly, that's not their coaches style, as he never preaches defense.
And let's be honest, Mike D'Antoni is set up to fail this year because the Lakers don't have a lot of great 3 point shooters, to make D'Antoni's offense work, then it's obvious they're not going to do that well.
As far as saying they'll be better next season, again how do you know Dwight is even coming back? Nobody knows where his mind is at the moment, and I highly suspect that if the lakers don't make the playoffs, then he'll probably leave. Lord knows I would, but hey that's just me.
