After making a splash during the off-season, the Los Angeles Lakers have made themselves legit title contenders for the upcoming 2012-13 season. With the additions of guard Steve Nash, forward Antawn Jamison and center Dwight Howard, anything less than a title will prove to be a disappointing season for the organization.

With such a star-studded starting lineup, consisting of Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Howard, the Lakers will need some leadership coming off their bench.

Jamison will be that leader.

Jamison has been given the job of being the outright leader coming off the Lakers bench, potentially setting himself up for his second Sixth Man of the Year award; his first came in the 2003-04 season. Jamison is familiar with Mike Brown and his philosophy and will help boost the second unit's offensive contribution.

He adds versatility as a forward who can be used in the power position, but the area that causes most concern is his defense.

In his press conference where he was introduced as a Laker, Jamison stated:

"I definitely have improved, and not as much a negative on the defensive end early on in my career... The better defensive team you are, the better your chances are. Not to knock any of the teams I've been on, but as you get older, you understand the importance of it.

"You understand how to put yourself in better positions, not get blown by defensively or not be reliable on the defensive end. I'll tell you one thing. I'm gonna work hard and I'm gonna give you my all. You won't be able to say he's the weak link to this defensive team or to this puzzle. Whether it's offensively, defensively or in the locker room, I always found a way to get it done and I expect the same thing when this season gets started as well."

For a player who's used to being the first and sometimes second option for a team, Jamison welcomes the sixth man role and anticipates that the team will be successful through his play off the bench.