8 games left in the season and the Lakers are fighting for their playoff lives. Blah, Blah, Blah! I feel like I have been writing the same damn article all season for this team. They win some games, they lose some games and then they end up ruining things later. Is there ever gonna be a time this season when I can say that I am proud to be a Laker fan? For the first time in his career, I actually that Kobe is my favorite player on the team. He shows up every day and no matter what plays his a** off. The same can't be said for the rest of the team.
Congrats are in order for Kobe after he passed Wilt Chamberlain to become the 4th leading scorer in NBA history. He now sits about 800 points behind his idol Michael Jordan. Passing Wilt means nothing to Kobe in the grand scheme of things, but it is a huge accomplishment. Depending on how many more titles Kobe can win and how far he can distance himself from Jordan in the scoring race, he may sway some of the greatest of all time voters.
Back to the team though. 8 games left and at the moment they are tied with Utah, who has suddenly remembered how to play basketball. The Jazz hold the tiebreaker which is a slight problem and I think the Lakers have the tougher finishing schedule. The only thing working for the Lakers right now is that they are healthy. Oh wait? No they aren't! Nash is banged up. Kobe is falling apart in his advanced age and though Dwight is playing better he still looks a half step slow. Good thing there is tons of time for the team to get healthy by the playoffs.
In all seriousness, the Lakers are in a tough position. If they miss out on the playoffs this offseason is going to be one of major turn-over. Kobe is in and Dwight will be on the list of people to re-sign, but aside from that I don't see anybody on the team that isn't going to be considered a lost cause. Nash is still under contract, but that doesn't mean he is guaranteed a spot next season. I think he can still be productive, but he needs to stay healthy. Which won't be an easy thing to assume. Then there is Pau. I can't decide what the Lakers are thinking of doing with him. His production has dropped and it totally looks as if he and Dwight are not the best together. Who knows what is next for Pau.
Here we are yet again. The end of the season and playoff hopes are fading and building with every game. The Lakers have the talent to win games down the stretch, but does anybody outside of Kobe have the drive? We will see very soon. 8 games to make or break a season. And does anybody else hope that we see San Antonio in the first round and not OKC. That would be nice. NBA officials need to make happen. Thank you!
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