The Lakers have nine games remaining in the regular season, and are holding on to that eighth and final postseason spot in the West by the thread of their teeth. To be honest, it appears as if the players are dropping like flies. When one comes back from injury, another one goes down.
The team is still searching for consistency and an identity. Not having everyone available at the same time in the court is not helping matters at all. However, this is the NBA, and we are in the last stretch of the season. Not making the postseason with this talent on the roster would be disastrous, even more disastrous than the season has been thus far.
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This sentiment was echoed by Pau Gasol last night after their loss to the Bucks. According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, Gasol stated:
“It’s been a long year, there’s no doubt about it,” forward Pau Gasol said. “A lot of ups and downs. But we’re here. We believe in ourselves. We have the weapons. Hopefully we will stay healthy enough to be able to give it our best shot. But it’s been difficult, no doubt about it.”
“We don’t need anybody else to be injured, to be out, missing games, especially at this point of the year. So let’s see what happens. Hopefully Kobe will be healthy for the next game. Steve will be healthy. I’ll get healthier and we’ll continue to move forward.”
This has been one of the most, if not the most, injury plagued seasons for the Lakers in franchise history. However, as Gasol alluded to, the team has the ability to get the job done. They must simply show the effort and execute their game play in every game remaining.
Doing so will be tough, but they have the leadership and talent to do so. The Lakers will look to get back on track tomorrow against the Kings, as they conclude their road trip in Sacramento.
