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Los Angeles Lakers: Reasons why the final 25 games matter

By Jakarri Hamlin

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Ervin 'Magic' Johnson speaks to Kobe Bryant at Bryant's jersey retirement ceremony during halftime of a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Ervin 'Magic' Johnson speaks to Kobe Bryant at Bryant's jersey retirement ceremony during halftime of a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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They may be eight games back, but the Los Angeles Lakers are still playing for something.

The Los Angeles Lakers are eight games back from the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Given the quality of the teams competing for the eight seed, it’s safe to say that it’d be a long shot for them to rally for a playoff spot, and without much chance of making the playoffs, some fans may consider spending their weeknights watching something other than the Lakers. After all, winning is everything, and why watch when we aren’t winning?

The answer is simple, you watch for the story.

For the Lakers, the journey is still evolving. In the 2008-2009 season, the season before finishing 50-32, the Oklahoma Thunder, featuring rookie Russell Westbrook and sophomore Kevin Durant, went 23-59.

However, that team played nearly .500 ball over its final 26 games, which included an impressive stretch of 7-5. This caliber of improvement is exactly what we hope to see next season. Vast improvement begins with effort and results in habit.

This effort and habit starts now. The Lakers put it together in bunches before the all-star break, but going forward winning and learning how to win should be the Lakers’ priority. With that said, here are a few keys to improving and making a push to get back to .500 ball.

Work Harder. The Lakers’ primary issue is the acceptance of mediocrity. Too often playing hard is not a given and losing is just another day in the office. This team has to learn that success doesn’t come easy. In order to win against quality teams, the Lakers have to bring their A game every night. That starts with a conscious decision to hustle on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

Role Facilitation. Player roles are still an issue for this Lakers roster. Our best pure talent is Brandon Ingram, but he struggles to bring it every night and sometimes gives Lamar Odom vibes. To lead the Lakers, Ingram will have to become more consistent. Similarly, Kyle Kuzma has to figure out where he fits over the course of an NBA season.

He sometimes struggles to let the game come to him, especially when Lonzo Ball isn’t on the floor alongside him. Along with Isaiah Thomas, Ingram and Kuzma are our best pure scorers, but for all three of them, consistency and efficiency should be the primary goals.

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Confidence. If nothing else, the Isaiah Thomas trade provided the Lakers with a bona fide closer.  Even though his numbers have been pedestrian since his return, Thomas is a confident player and plays basketball with a swagger that most of the roster lacks. The Lakers often lose games not because they are outplayed, but because they expect to lose. Thomas’ presence could go a long way in shaping the attitude of the roster, as he has shown that he knows what it takes to win.

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