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The Fake Show
The 2-time defending world champs are at the top of the Pacific Division (no surprise). Kobe Bryant is scoring 25 a night (no surprise). The Lakers aren’t as good as their record (HUH?!?). I know I’m gonna catch flack for this, but hey, the truth is the truth whether you agree with it or not! Here’s some food for thought… Let’s dig in!
After 30 games and coming off a beautiful Christmas home loss versus the Miami Heat, the Lakers hold a 21-9 record, tied with the Utah Jazz for 3rd best in the West behind the Dallas Mavericks (2nd) and the San Antonio Spurs (best record in the league). Outside of those teams mentioned, Miami and Boston I’m sure any of the other 24 teams would take being .700 this far into the season (Oh OKC is only a ½ game behind the Lakers in the Western Conference standings so I guess that makes 23 teams). Ok, by now I can hear the Laker fanatics with their “We’ve won two in a row,” “You’re just a hater,” and “Kobe is the greatest in the game” rebuttals… Everyone try to focus for sec and take a look at your beloved Lakers:
• In nine losses this season, five have come from sub-.500 teams (including the Pacers & Bucks at home)
• Of the 21 wins so far, only two are from .500+ opponents (includes the Blazers who just got back to .500 with last night’s win against the Warriors. The other win was against the Bulls on November 23rd. So actually that’s only one win against .500+ opponents.
This time last season, the Lakers held a 24-6 record (including a beautiful 102-87 Christmas home loss to LeBron’s then Cavs) with only 11 road games. Already they’ve played 16 road games (11 against sub-.500 clubs). What does this mean? The season is only going to get more difficult. Let’s look at the Lakers next 10 games:
• 12/28- @ San Antonio (best team in the league in case you forgot)
• 12/29- @ New Orleans (2nd of a back-to-back)
• 12/31- vs. Philadelphia (No reason for a loss)
• 01/02- vs. Memphis (No reason for a loss but they’ve lost to the Grizzlies once before already)
• 01/04- vs. Detroit (No reason for a loss)
• 01/05- @ Phoenix (2nd of another back-to-back)
• 01/07- vs. New Orleans (More CP3… Who’s guarding him?!?)
• 01/09- vs. New York (the Knicks aren’t back yet, but they’re getting there)
• 01/11- vs. Cleveland (No reason for a loss)
• 01/12- @ Golden State (2nd of yet another back-to-back)
Four road games, three separate back-to-backs, CP3 (twice), Amar’e & Manu?!? Don’t be surprised if the Lakers go 5-5 during this stretch. And that’s just the beginning, look at the four-game stretch from Jan 17-25: vs. OKC, @ Dallas, @ Denver and vs. Utah. Laker fans, are you still not moved? How about the 7-game road trip leading into All-Star weekend which includes stops in New Orleans, Boston, New York & Orlando? And after the All-Star break, the Lakers will have to face .500+ opponents 17 times including the Spurs, Mavs, Thunder & Jazz twice. Although, I don’t see the Lakers laying any eggs in the postseason, the chances of a 3-peat look slimmer than Mary-Kate Olsen.
They have had the 4th easiest schedule in the league, I would definitely agree with their Mary-Kate counterpart.
MJ and the boys had a similar record during the 2nd 3-peat. While winning 70% of the games this is the only team in the league where you would try to find a chink in the armour. By the time June rolls around, the ship will be righted!