Unfortunately for the Lakers, just when things start looking good, something else bad happens.
The Lakers are finally experiencing some good injury karma as Steve Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar have all recovered from their injuries. Blake and Nash will start tonight, while Farmar will be available off the bench.
If the Lakers plan on turning around their problems, they are going to have to do it without their leading scorer. According to the L.A. Daily News’ Mark Medina, Pau Gasol is expected to miss an additional week due to his groin injury:
Lakers haven't set date when they'll reevaluate Gasol, but he's missing at least next 6 games.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 4, 2014
The Lakers cannot afford to lose Gasol for an extended period of time as he is their only low post option. This past month Gasol looked better than he has in years and with some returns finally on the horizon, things were beginning to look up for the Lakers.
This also severely hinders potential trade talk involving Gasol as teams are wary of negotiating with the Lakers until they see Gasol back on the court. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, it will be difficult to deal the big man if that was the Lakers intention.
The onus will now be on Robert Sacre, Jordan Hill, and Chris Kaman to step up in the post. Kaman, in particular, is the most offensively talented of the bunch, and will undoubtedly get his opportunity to make an impact for the Lakers in the coming weeks.
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Lakers Practice: Steve Blake Returning From Injury, It’ll Be Interesting How Coach Uses Guards
