The Los Angeles Lakers have not qualified for the postseason for the last 5 straight years, the longest stretch in franchise history. Why should anyone think they will make the playoffs this coming season? Here are four reasons why they will end that streak.
The Los Angeles Lakers hit rock bottom in 2016 when they compiled the fewest wins, 17, and the lowest winning percentage, .207, in franchise history. To the relief of their fans, they have since started to climb back to respectability, improving by nine games in each of the last two seasons under the guidance of head coach Luke Walton.
But even though last year’s 35-47 squad moved up three spots, from 14th to 11th in the Western Conference, it still missed qualifying for the playoffs by a whopping 12 games.
Injuries contributed somewhat to the bottom line. Two of their best players, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, missed 23 and 30 games respectively. The inexperience of the youthful roster was also a factor, as the Lakers consistently blew leads down the stretch and lost many games they had a good chance of winning.
A huge factor is also how fiercely competitive the Western Conference is. Last season, both Houston and Golden State won over 70 percent of their games. But the seven teams (Portland, Oklahoma City, Utah, New Orleans, San Antonio, Minnesota and Denver) that finished 3rd through 9th all won between 46 and 49 games, an unprecedented separation of a mere three games! And the Clippers were just four games behind the Nuggets.
The race for the playoffs likely won’t be quite that close this year, but the competition should still be brutal. How will the Lakers be able to leapfrog at least three teams? What are the most important factors are in their favor?
Here are four reasons the Lakers will qualify for the postseason following the 2018-19 regular season.