I'm betting they don't, and in Stern's final act of complicity (remember how he facilitated the Gasol trade, allowing a "retired" player/asst coach on another team to be part of the deal), the Lakers will luck into one of the top-3 picks. What I do find amusing is the bad blood that's developing between Kobe and Howard. Bryant ain't going to win a championship without a dominant center. I don't see how the Lakers will obtain one if Dwight decides to leave as a FA.It's always fun to see the Lakers struggle, but I always thought in the back of my mind that they would eventually put it together. Now, I'm starting to wonder.
What say you?
Looking at the numbers, it's going to be very difficult for them to make the playoffs. Let's say that to make the playoffs, they would need to reach 45 wins. After the Lakers' 2 game win streak, they are 17-21, which means they will need to go 28-16 the rest of the way. That's a win % of over 63%--a percentage only averaged by 7 teams, thus far. So, the Lakers will suddenly need to play like a top-7 team in the NBA just to snag the 8th playoff spot? That's going to be pretty damn difficult.
Looking at the numbers, it's going to be very difficult for them to make the playoffs. Let's say that to make the playoffs, they would need to reach 45 wins. After the Lakers' 2 game win streak, they are 17-21, which means they will need to go 28-16 the rest of the way. That's a win % of over 63%--a percentage only averaged by 7 teams, thus far. So, the Lakers will suddenly need to play like a top-7 team in the NBA just to snag the 8th playoff spot? That's going to be pretty damn difficult.
I'm betting they don't, and in Stern's final act of complicity (remember how he facilitated the Gasol trade, allowing a "retired" player/asst coach on another team to be part of the deal), the Lakers will luck into one of the top-3 picks. What I do find amusing is the bad blood that's developing between Kobe and Howard. Bryant ain't going to win a championship without a dominant center. I don't see how the Lakers will obtain one if Dwight decides to leave as a FA.