It is no longer to explain, the Lakers have completely missed their regular 2021-22. It is well mentioned “regular” since three weeks before the Playoffs, Frank Vogel’s troupe is still in the running to compete in the play-in. But the noose is tightening around Californians who, little by little, suggest that they can go on vacation earlier than expected. Help AD, they need you.
One LeBron James, one week, two faces. Of “I am literally having the best time of my life” at « horrible ». It’s hard to sum up the Lakers’ 2021-22 season better. We feel that things are going better – like during this series of four consecutive victories at the beginning of January – then the illusion ends. We finally see a semblance of positive speech, but a new parameter throws its pessimism on Hollywood Boulevard. To date, there are many reasons to believe in an ousting of the Lakers even before the play-in tournament. A possible choke therefore, one of the most unexpected of recent years. First, after this Sunday’s defeat in New Orleans, LeBron James goes to a press conference with a gray face. He confides in it that his ankle is in a state « horrible » but that he continued to play out of awareness of what was at stake. Even with a leader who forces and takes risks, the Lakers cannot beat the 10th in the Western Conference. An admission of weakness which leads them to slip on this tenth spot, giving the Pelicans the advantage of the field on a possible first round of play-in. But that’s not the scariest part. Lower, the Spurs do not abdicate. Gregg Popovich’s squad remains on three consecutive victories and refuses to lose in favor of a high draft pick. There is nothing better to help a reconstruction than to make its best elements taste victory. Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl will come out of it stronger, motivated by the horizon that is emerging. Although the Texans (30-44) are still a win behind Los Angeles (31-43), the dynamics of the two teams are so opposite that the mental advantage, in our view, lies with Spurs. Watch out for the last bend.
LeBron on the status of his sprained ankle: “it’s horrible.” pic.twitter.com/XgcSIywtcH
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 28, 2022
That’s not all. Barring good relationships and a suitcase of big wads between franchises, the Lakers schedule is a real commando course. We’ll have to bribe more than one GM to come out with a smile on this Mavericks, Jazz, Pelicans (!), Nuggets (x2), Suns, Warriors and Thunder sequence. The matches to be taken are not obvious, except for the one against Théo Maledon and his friends on April 9. But what would help the Lakers in their desperate quest for victories is a return of Anthony Davis. Good news, post 4 is – according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin – on track to return to the courts in early April. Information that, eight games before the gong, warms Californian hearts. He’s choupi the Pop huh, but enjoying a LeBron James – Anthony Davis duo on knockout matches is much more tempting than a pick-and-roll between Romeo Langford and Jock Landale. And despite its so-called disappointing season, Unibrow maintains good averages with 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 interceptions at 54% shooting including 18% from afar. All? All in 37 games, and that’s not great. Finally, the countdown is on, the Lakers now have their destiny in their hands and those of the nurse. You have to win to qualify for the play-in, an XXL task for a team that has lost 15 of its last 20 games. With the other large rod, everything would be simpler.
“If all continues to progress well in Davis’ rehab, the All-Star inside could be ready for games by the first week of April, at the earliest,” sources told ESPN. –Dave McMenamin, insider d’ESPN
Afro Anthony Davis? Yeah league is done for. pic.twitter.com/VkkkDkhdJ4
— Honest JorPippen Fan (@LakersAreBetta) March 27, 2022
