To say the Los Angeles Lakers have been underperforming this season would be a massive understatement. The Lakers were projected to be one of the favorites to win the NBA championship at the start of the season. But given how they’ve played and their current record, they would be lucky if they can secure even the 6th seed in the Western Conference.
As things stand, the Lakers have a 27-34 record, 7 games behind even being at the 500 mark. For the Lakers, their best route to the playoffs will be through the play-in tournament. To be able to enter the play-in tournament, LeBron James and the Lakers will have to secure anywhere between the 7th and the 10th spot.
But given their current form, they may not even get that. And LeBron James went out of his way to say that the Los Angeles Lakers should not be focusing on the play-in tournament. During the post-game press conference, LeBron James noted that the Lakers’ primary focus should be on winning their next game, and trying to break out of the slump that they have been in (5:40 mark).
LeBron James talks about the importance of the #Lakers responding to this loss vs. the Clippers on Thursday and more. @LakersReporter pic.twitter.com/jIVLjPdEsX
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 2, 2022
“We win games to get us in. We’re going to be ready. But we gotta try and win one basketball game right now. That’s what we’re really trying to figure out how to get over the hump. And with injuries… We’re just trying to figure out a way to get over the hump and play some good basketball… As far as the play-in, can’t even really think about that right now. Just gotta figure out how we can get a W.”
LeBron also spoke about fans at the Crypto.com Arena booing him and the Lakers, noting that he is ‘ride or die’ with Laker Nation, and doesn’t feel bad about them booing him. On top of that, he also warned the NBA to not count him and the Lakers out to make some sort of run in the playoffs.
Fans of the Lakers are frustrated, as they showed on social media after last night’s game. The Lakers really need to get it together, because right now, they are one of the NBA’s biggest disappointments this season. Whether they break out of this funk going forward remains to be seen.
