LeBron James: Lakers ‘Can’t Keep Looking’ At NBA Standings During Hope To Make Playoffs
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have lost four of their last six games in what was touted as a final playoff push coming out of 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte.

While the Lakers have the fifth-most difficult schedule remaining this season, they have lost to the Anthony Davis-less New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns during their latest slide.

As a result, the Lakers find themselves 4.5 games back of the L.A. Clippers for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, with just 19 games remaining.

They have just a 1.3 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to Basketball-Reference, after falling to the league-worst Suns. Although the situation is dire, James emphasized not becoming consumed with the playoff picture.

“We can’t keep looking at the standings. The standings are going to be what they are, no matter if we win or lose,” he said.

“I’ve never been one to kind of look at the standings. You’ve just got to go out and do your job, try to do it at a high level for 48 minutes and then see what happens after that. You can’t focus on the standings, because they shift and move so much throughout the course of the season.”

As James has come back from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, this situation is completely different. While the 34-year-old has tried to be optimistic, defense and overall effort will most likely prevent the Lakers from ending their five-year playoff drought.

The current projections have the Lakers needing to win at least 45.2 games just to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs. As they would have to win 15 of their next 19 games, it is an uphill battle considering they have a five-game road trip coming up.

Reminder: Vivid Seats is the Official Ticket Reseller of LakersNation.com. New Customers use “LAKERSNATION” (all CAPS) in the Vivid Seats App on your phone and get 10% off any Lakers home game ticket order for the remainder of the season.

You May Also Like

When a $65 Million Dollar Extension Isn’t Enough & The Top NBA News

Top Story: I’m not sure Donald Trump would turn down an opportunity…

Pre-Game Report: Lakers Back on Road to Oppose the Miami Heat

Los Angeles Lakers (10-5) at Miami Heat (9-4) 5:00 PM PST, January…

Lakers Vs. Kings Preview: Lakers Face In-State Rivals

The Los Angeles Lakers head up north to face their long-time in-state…

Lakers News: Mark Cuban Thought Kobe Bryant Trade To Mavericks Was ‘Done’ In 2007

The late Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships, but his relationship with the franchise…