This season, Lakers games have not been broadcasted in the national spotlight the same way they have been every year before. With the team on pace to set the franchise record for most losses in a single season, it comes as no surprise to hear that Lakers games are being replaced with other NBA games for national broadcasts.
For example, the Nets-Lakers game from this past Sunday was supposed to be aired on ESPN, but was replaced by the more exciting Rockets-Suns game instead. That Nets game marks the third time this season that a Lakers game has been dropped from the national broadcast schedule.
There are plenty of reasons as to why these Lakers game are continuing to be dropped. Kobe Bryant being out for who knows how much longer is a huge reason as to why basketball fans have taken the Lakers off their radar. Players who also have star power, such as Steve Nash, have not been able to stay healthy either. Due to the countless injuries on this squad, the Lakers are currently 19-39. No one is excited to watch a team that has been consistently losing.
According to Mark Medina from the L.A. Daily News, the Lakers have some surprisingly exciting news regarding broadcasted games:
NBA TV adding Lakers-Pelicans game next Tuesday
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 28, 2014
It may not be ESPN, but NBA TV is definitely progress. The Lakers face the similarly below-average New Orleans Pelicans who are currently 23-34 who are also plagued with injuries.
Anthony Davis, the first pick in the 2012 NBA draft who would attract viewers, also sprained his shoulder on Wednesday and it is uncertain if he will be ready to return by next Tuesday.
As to why NBA TV decided to air this game is unknown to many, but at least the Lakers will have some time on a channel other than Time Warner Cable’s SportsNet.
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