Assuming that Kobe signs a deal with the Lakers, and assuming further that Kobe is found not guilty in Colorado, does his Lakers team even make the playoffs this year? Lakers C - B. Grant / K. Clark (maybe) / V. Divac (maybe) PF - L. Odom / L. Walton / S. Medvedenko (maybe) SF - C. Butler / D. George / L. Walton SG - K. Bryant / K. Rush PG - G. Payton (maybe) A lot of people have the Lakers in the playoffs purely out of inertia. But they're losing the MDE, so I say they fall out of the playoffs entirely. The elite teams in the West are down to 2 (Minnesota and San Antonio). But conference-wise, it's stronger than ever with more parity than ever. You've got a group of 10 teams that are vying for the final 6 spots. My bet is that this Lakers team won't even make it and that Jerry Buss blames it on Rudy Tomjanovich rather than on Kobe Bryant. T-Wolves, Spurs, Rockets, Kings, Mavs, Grizz, Jazz, Nuggets, Suns, Lakers, Blazers, Hornets.
I say they will make the playoffs IF they get solid big men, like Clark, Divac, outside chance at Dampier IF they trade Payton for cap relief. They got their offense set with Bryant, Odom, Butler, all they need is interior size/defense and rebounding and they'll be fine. If they don't get anybody to help inside I can't see them making the playoffs though.
