The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into a crucial time of their schedule after the All-Star break. With simply 23 video games remaining within the common season, the Lakers are 5 video games below .500 (27-32) and have a seven-game stretch the place they’ll play all Western Conference foes, beginning with the Golden State Warriors, Thursday night time. First-year head coach Darvin Ham spoke on Wednesday in regards to the staff’s purpose and what they’re striving for on this stretch run.
“Yeah, the purpose is for us to come back out and attempt to be the most effective model of ourselves every sport, however undoubtedly, if we are able to go and safe a spot, that’s our purpose proper there,” Ham mentioned. “If we fall right into a play-in state of affairs, so be it. However our No. 1 purpose is to go safe a spot [and] not simply throw video games off right here or there [and] simply want for a play-in. We need to go safe a spot.”
Over the following seven video games, L.A. will play Golden State twice, Dallas, Memphis twice, Oklahoma Metropolis, and Minnesota. All these groups are at the moment forward of the Lakers within the standings. Proper now, Los Angeles is two video games out of the final play-in spot occupied by the Thunder. The Lakers and Thunder sq. off on March 1 in OKC, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in search of some payback on LeBron James after he blocked his dunk try within the All-Star sport.
It’s good to listen to Ham hold it actual in his expectation for this Lakers squad, however placing this plan into movement is far simpler mentioned than completed. James has performed in a single sport since setting the brand new all-time scoring report over two weeks in the past. It’s humorous how he participated in that sport simply earlier than the All-Star break towards New Orleans. When you purchase this damage ankle crap, extra energy to you. However it clearly wasn’t unhealthy sufficient that he couldn’t have performed in these video games instantly following his passing of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar within the report books.
Want greater than LeBron
At this level, Ham can’t rely on LeBron to play each sport, whether or not injured or not, and we’ve by no means actually been in a position to depend on the well being of Anthony Davis. All of the commerce deadline strikes on this planet gained’t quantity to something with out these two within the lineup. Bringing D’Angelo Russell again to L.A. will assist so long as there aren’t any digicam telephones round him within the locker room. The addition of Russell is a pleasant pickup and creates a terrific third possibility who knocks down open photographs. However with out Bron and AD on the ground constantly, the percentages of the Lakers making a playoff push are slim.
After all, each staff wish to keep away from the one-game situation of the play-in, however realistically that is the most effective wager for LA. James remains to be nice when he’s on the market however wants extra assist than ever earlier than, and rightfully so. It’s powerful although when the principle man tasked with serving to not often performs. The percentages of the Lakers successful sufficient video games to leap into the highest six within the west are about pretty much as good as Stephen A. Smith not saying one thing egregious the following time he’s on air. Or SAS being invited to a Rihanna fan social gathering. It’s not occurring.
Los Angeles must win not less than 5 of the following seven video games to make up any important floor within the standings. Their stars have to play. This staff isn’t deep sufficient to overlook both star for a substantial period of time, as we’ve seen since they gained the bubble championship in 2020. Good luck, Lakers. You’re actually going to want it.
