Will the Los Angeles Lakers make the NBA playoffs?

[Woy]

Every time the Lakers lose, an angel gains its wings.

 

[ralaw]

3 game losing streak.....fire D'Antoni, he doesn't know what he is doing and doesn't know how to utilize this roster. This team is lost and has no identity. The players are pissed and confused.

12) Los Angeles (17-24)
Games remaining: 41 (19 Home, 22 Away)
vs. +.500: 19, vs. West: 27

 

[FedEx227]

Yeah, maybe they aren't going to make the playoffs... I couldn't fathom them not going on some type of run at some point, but here we are.

 

[ralaw]

stevsta, will probably get mad at me for saying this, but as a spoiled Lakers fan I sort of hope they don't make the playoffs, because they will lose in the 1st round anyways and if they miss the playoffs with this roster then there really is no reason for D'Antoni to return.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Lol perfectly describes the Lakers season using NBA 2k13

 

[JimLeavy59]

 

[stevsta]

if we can keep this run up until allstar break I think a 6 or 7 seed is not out of the question

pau has come alive and kobe is just playing lights out right now

dwight seems to be looking more and more like the howard of old and I think with each week that passes his back is getting healthier and healthier

I almost forgot to mention earl clark. This guy has put forth amazing effort and it could not have come at a better time when half the roster was moping and giving lackluster effort. Clark, Meeks, and Kobe are the heroes of the lakers 1st half of the season

 

[JimLeavy59]

if we can keep this run up until allstar break I think a 6 or 7 seed is not out of the question

pau has come alive and kobe is just playing lights out right now

dwight seems to be looking more and more like the howard of old and I think with each week that passes his back is getting healthier and healthier

I almost forgot to mention earl clark. This guy has put forth amazing effort and it could not have come at a better time when half the roster was moping and giving lackluster effort. Clark, Meeks, and Kobe are the heroes of the lakers 1st half of the season

Kobe was a big part of the reason why this team was sucking.

 

[stevsta]

Kobe was a big part of the reason why this team was sucking.

this is nonsense. While everyone likes to point to the stat of the lakers record when kobe scores 30 or more, it does not provide an accurate account of why the lakers lost those games. For over half the season players were simply not doing their jobs or making baskets during critical points in a game. During the midhalf of the 1st half of the season (december) kobe tried to put the load on himself which may have exacerbated the problem, but during the 1st quarter of it he was not just forcing up shots and was shooting at a very efficient clip (above .500 or extremely close to it). Looking forward I love this kobe johnson look and hope we can keep up this level of play.

 

[JimLeavy59]

this is nonsense. While everyone likes to point to the stat of the lakers record when kobe scores 30 or more, it does not provide an accurate account of why the lakers lost those games. For over half the season players were simply not doing their jobs or making baskets during critical points in a game. During the midhalf of the 1st half of the season (december) kobe tried to put the load on himself which may have exacerbated the problem, but during the 1st quarter of it he was not just forcing up shots and was shooting at a very efficient clip (above .500 or extremely close to it). Looking forward I love this kobe johnson look and hope we can keep up this level of play.

Shut the fuck up.

 

[stevsta]

Shut the fuck up.

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I just want the jury to note that when this thread was made I was the only one that voted no :shifty:.

 

[ralaw]

this is nonsense. While everyone likes to point to the stat of the lakers record when kobe scores 30 or more, it does not provide an accurate account of why the lakers lost those games. For over half the season players were simply not doing their jobs or making baskets during critical points in a game. During the midhalf of the 1st half of the season (december) kobe tried to put the load on himself which may have exacerbated the problem, but during the 1st quarter of it he was not just forcing up shots and was shooting at a very efficient clip (above .500 or extremely close to it). Looking forward I love this kobe johnson look and hope we can keep up this level of play.

IDK.....there is something to the Lakers playing better and more inspired basketball once Kobe stopped playing hero ball. Even the players have basically said the same. I believe Howard, Gasol and even Pringles have said that once EVERYONE has bought into the team ball concept things started to change. Anyone that has played basketball knows that playing with more energy, getting into a rhythm and playing defense becomes easier when you feel that you are a part of the offense and not just watching one dude. Kobe is playing better because he is looking to be a facilitator and making quicker decisions with the ball. Kobe is my favorite player in the league, but with this team he doesn't need to average 30ppg and take 22+ shots per game. He needs to get back into that role he played when he was with Shaq, which was to facilitate and still be a scorer.

 

[stevsta]

IDK.....there is something to the Lakers playing better and more inspired basketball once Kobe stopped playing hero ball. Even the players have basically said the same. I believe Howard, Gasol and even Pringles have said that once EVERYONE has bought into the team ball concept things started to change. Anyone that has played basketball knows that playing with more energy, getting into a rhythm and playing defense becomes easier when you feel that you are a part of the offense and not just watching one dude. Kobe is playing better because he is looking to be a facilitator and making quicker decisions with the ball. Kobe is my favorite player in the league, but with this team he doesn't need to average 30ppg and take 22+ shots per game. He needs to get back into that role he played when he was with Shaq, which was to facilitate and still be a scorer.

you misunderstand what I was saying. I agree, when kobe shoots an exorbitant amount of contested shots WITHOUT looking for teammates the lakers are a lesser team. From my point of view though, during kobes 30 pt run in december he had simply reached a breaking point with the lack of effort and hustle he was getting from his teammates, injuries had a lot to do with it as well. I am not condoning kobe's ballhogging habits, but I am suggesting that his confidence in his teammates to make the shot or cut into the lane was at an all-time low during that month and it made him look to himself to carry them through that hard time. From what I saw during games some lakers would give up during certain quarters or just could not make a basket during crucial moments in the game. For the former ebanks, jamison, gasol are some of the names I was thinking of, and the latter was meeks, howard, blake, and again gasol. Without kobe during that stretch of play we would be well below .500 instead of only 6 games below it

 

[Influence]

 

[Realist]

I can't tell since i've already voted but is this poll still "open" for people who can wait and say they knew what the outcome would be after it happened? :shifty:

 

[JimLeavy59]

I guess they can enjoy playing San Antonio or OKC.

 

[Argath]

I just want the jury to note that when this thread was made I was the only one that voted no :shifty:.

noted

 

[Acesuper]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-gasol-bryant-scrimmage-thursday-will-play-friday-dantoni-said-20130321,0,7746367.story?track=rss

Gasol and Bryant scrimmage Thursday, will play Friday, D'Antoni says


By Mike Bresnahan

March 21, 2013, 1:55 p.m.

Kobe Bryant participated in a five-on-five scrimmage Thursday. So did Pau Gasol.

Bryant left a little early because his sprained left ankle stiffened a bit, but Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni wasn't concerned about his availability Friday against Washington.

"He'll be ready," D'Antoni said.

Gasol missed 20 games because of a tear inside the bottom of his right foot. He will play limited minutes Friday while simultaneously trying to get in shape.

"It's not good," Gasol said of his conditioning. "But I'll continue to work on it and it'll continue to get better."

For the first time since Jan. 30, Gasol and Bryant will be on the active roster with Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace, the lineup that "if we're going to do any damage, has to happen," D'Antoni said.

Gasol was injured Feb. 5 against Brooklyn. He was starting at the time because Howard was sidelined by a sore shoulder. It was not clear whether Gasol would start immediately in place of Earl Clark.

Quick acceleration and deceleration are still somewhat problematic for Gasol, as is jumping.

"It's not that I jump extremely high usually," Gasol said. "But I can dunk still. I don't need to jump much to dunk."

Bryant did not talk to reporters after Thursday's practice.

When I read Gasol's reply to the question my heart immediately said "Ah, no, fuck you Gasol. Fuck you. Don't even bring that pussy shit in here man." Why would you give such a weak answer like that. Seriously, Gasol, if you are reading this, man up, brother. Even if you have to lie to us LA fans, lie to us. Tell us you are hungry, ready, 100%, eager to get back onto the court. Your team has been clawing and battling and fighting and playing defense and playing defense twice cause we didn't have no one to rebound aside a weakened Superman in Act II..all while you have been sucking the toes of supermodels and lounging around beautiful LA all day and getting front row seats to the Lake show and getting drunk in Hollywood after the games...

You're getting paid millions. You are an athlete. A world class athlete. A fucking Spaniard. So stop acting like a bitch and motivate your team for once. We already dealt with Howard all season and him having to get back into shape and the story lines and drama all around that. Step up, be a leader and say "I'm good to go. I got this."

 

[JimLeavy59]

When I read Gasol's reply to the question my heart immediately said "Ah, no, fuck you Gasol. Fuck you. Don't even bring that pussy shit in here man." Why would you give such a weak answer like that. Seriously, Gasol, if you are reading this, man up, brother. Even if you have to lie to us LA fans, lie to us. Tell us you are hungry, ready, 100%, eager to get back onto the court. Your team has been clawing and battling and fighting and playing defense and playing defense twice cause we didn't have no one to rebound aside a weakened Superman in Act II..all while you have been sucking the toes of supermodels and lounging around beautiful LA all day and getting front row seats to the Lake show and getting drunk in Hollywood after the games...

You're getting paid millions. You are an athlete. A world class athlete. A fucking Spaniard. So stop acting like a bitch and motivate your team for once. We already dealt with Howard all season and him having to get back into shape and the story lines and drama all around that. Step up, be a leader and say "I'm good to go. I got this."

Shut the fuck up.