Jalen Rose said the Lakers will not make the playoffs... Bill Simmons agreed, said they have no chance. I agree they are bad, but I just find it hard to bury them when the team is without Howard and Gasol and were steamrolled by the Thunder. That's the same Thunder that were up by, what, 30, against the Rockets by the end of the third at the Toyota Center? They may not make it -- I may be wrong -- but I think it's too early to write them off, as much as I'd like to. Trade deadline could make a difference... I can't see them selling off the pieces.
Lakers remaining January schedule: Sun, Jan 13 vs Cleveland Tue, Jan 15 vs Milwaukee Thu, Jan 17 vs Miami Sun, Jan 20 @ Toronto Mon, Jan 21 @ Chicago Wed, Jan 23 @ Memphis Fri, Jan 25 vs Utah Sun, Jan 27 vs Oklahoma City Tue, Jan 29 vs New Orleans Wed, Jan 30 @ Phoenix Currently 15-21 in 11th place. 5 more losses than 8th place Portland. This is probably a minority opinion, but I think the Lakers can still make the playoffs
Yeah I just saw that piece as well. I thought precisely the same thing. It's far too early to write them off. Too much talent to say that. No that talent hasn't meshed yet but, talent usually overcomes these type of starts. My biggest problem regarding THIS Laker team(other than injuries) is Dantoni. I thought that was an awful hire. Too old, too slow and just not built to run. I heard Buss come out this morning saying he believes in Dantoni 100%, guess you have to say that after firing Brown not long ago. I kind of feel like after Jackson reportedly asked for the moon, Dantoni was just an FU hire to Phil.
It's really not too early to write them off if you don't think all of the teams 5-6 games ahead of them will choke, or that the bottom seeds in the West will have much lower win totals than in past years. That's the real question. Assume you need 45 wins to make it. That means they need to go 30-16 to finish. It's tough to win 2 out of every 3 games in this league, and that's the type of ball they will need to play unless this is just an abnormal year for bottom teams in the West. I could easily see them losing 5 of their next 10 games. Lol at Mike D:
They're writing themselves off Its not about talent. They don't play both sides of the ball, they don't play well in a team concept thanks mostly to the black hole, and they're far too inconsistent, especially on the road. They suck on the road and teams like that usually don't have much of a chance. With each loss they're going to have to almost have a perfect 2nd half of the season to get in the 8th spot. I think they have one road game in April which I can't believe the NBA would do this but by then teams will be scrapping hard for either a playoff spot or trying to put a whipping on the Lakers just because its their time to fade away.
You are correct about the 1 road game in December. However, they have a 7 game road trip on Feb/March. They also play the Thunder, Heat, Grizz and Clippers 2 more times each (8 games). And 6 of their last 7 games are against teams that will be fighting for playoff spots or positioning: Grizz @ LAC Hornets @ Blazers (back to back) Warriors (3rd game in 4 nights) Spurs Rockets Never say never when it comes to the leagues favorite team, but it's gonna be TOUGH.
The lakers will make the playoffs because: 1. They r simply too talented n a 100millions payroll couldn't make playoffs will the biggest bust in the sport history 2. Two of the teams, rockets, warriors, blazers and nuggets will fall because they are too young and inexperience. That will open the door for the lakers The lakers will make it if 1. Kobe continue to shoot 25-30fga per game 2. Injuries
They're not making it Clutch. Their defense sucks, and there are zero signs of improving. And their offense is sporadic; the pieces simply don't fit. They had an easier schedule to start out the year, and I think their 2nd half schedule is a little bit tougher. I think they're on the outside looking in (barring a major trade of course).
I would focus less on the 45-47 wins needed but more on the fact that they are only 5 games behind the 8th seed with 46 games to play.. it's easily doable, but not likely. not this team.
Taking into consideration that a team will have to win 46 games to make into the playoffs the Lakers have a VERY small chance left to make it. They currently sit at 15 wins/ 21 loses Out of our 82 game season there are 46 more games for them to play. Out of those 46 games they will have to win 31 of them. Basically, I've been counting down their date of playoff elimination based on this. If they lose more than 15 games the rest of the season it's game over.
The only chance they have is if from this day forward they win at the same rate as San Antonio is winning now. If they can do that, they'll barely squeeze into the 8th seed.
Look at specific teams instead of win totals. The bullseye painted on the Lakers target is Portland's logo. They are the team to beat. I have no respect at all for the Blazers organization. Wouldn't surprise me if they traded LaMarcus Aldridge before the deadline. Even without a trade, don't be shocked if they hits the skids later on and drop below .500. That's all it would take (if the Lakers ever get it going). The two things that may save Kobe & Co are Dirk's and Kevin Love's injuries. If either of those two played the entire season, their teams would finish above .500 and the bar would be set higher. Portland wouldn't even be a factor and I would write the Lakers off today. 5 more losses than Portland isn't that much to overcome. There is also the possibility the Rockets or Warriors fall hard. I give LA a 50/50 chance. But if they lose at home to the Cavs and Bucks on Sun and Tue, it's probably time to bury them.
You know what's crazy, in a year where LA, Dallas & Minnesota are so out of the picture after 30-35 games, we are still struggling for a 7-8th spot!
No kidding. I still can't wrap my mind around the Clippers. Somewhere Loy Vaught is smiling. Or banging his head against a wall. Or broke.
