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Lakers: 5 Reasons Fans Shouldn’t Over-Hype This Team

By Timothy Jenkins

Mar 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (left) handles the ball defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (right) during the first half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (left) handles the ball defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (right) during the first half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tough Western Conference

Let’s think about this one for a second, the Western Conference is so dominant that there was a controversy two years ago when the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers ended up being a first round match up in the playoffs. That is truly a testament to the strength of the conference when two championship contenders end up playing each other in the first round.

That being said, its going to be extremely difficult for the Lakers to gain any ground, despite their improvements. The Lakers will play each of the 15 Eastern Conference teams twice this season. That’s 30 games. Meaning that the other 52 games will be played against these extremely challenging Western Conference squads. The West is a place where you aren’t even safe against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves or Phoenix Suns.

Even if LA were to win 25 more games than they won last year, it would still likely put them outside of the postseason. Not saying that the Lakers should be shooting for the playoffs this season either. It’s just astonishing that 42 victories probably won’t even be good enough for 8th best in the conference.

The best thing the team can do is take this journey day by day, and year by year. It’ll likely be a few more years before the Lakers can realistically sniff the playoffs. So holding out hope for a playoff birth this year is borderline foolish.

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