Forget winning title number 17 and don’t think about reaching the NBA Finals, instead worry about whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers can even make the postseason. Yes, it has come to that, there is a chance this extremely talented Lakers team does not get to the first round of the NBA playoffs.
After the Lakers’ frustrating loss to the Denver Nuggets, the team fell to three games under .500 and created a larger deficit from the eight seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers are currently three games out of the playoffs and this type of performance was unforeseeable before the season started.
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni spoke to reporters after the game and Dave McMenamin tweeted that D’Antoni still has faith in this team. Even though the Lakers are not playing like a playoff squad, D’Antoni still thinks they can make the postseason.
Mike D’Antoni: “The hole’s not too big. Mathematically we can still make the playoffs.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 7, 2013
Nothing is going right for the Lakers and their three-game losing streak has caused panic and anxiety throughout the franchise. Fans are frustrated with the way the team is playing and everyone is complaining about the lack of energy and focus. The Lakers need to figure it out soon or else they will end up watching the playoffs from home. Of course, it doesn’t help when there are reported rumors of fights between the team’s two star players, either.