Los Angeles Lakers: 3 disappointing signs following All-Star break

Conclusion:

It is premature to count the Lakers out of the playoff race. The ebbs and flows of an NBA season are often unpredictable, both for the Lakers and their opponents.

What is clear is that it is reality-check time for those who assumed the Lakers were a lock to qualify for the postseason because of the presence of LeBron James.

Over the past eight seasons, LeBron played alongside established all-stars like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Irving and Kevin Love in the far less competitive Eastern Conference, where for at least the past decade it has been much easier to make the playoffs. Although the East is much stronger this year, there is still a big drop-off after the top four or five teams.

Be that as it may, the Lakers must start immediately playing consistently better basketball to reach the top eight in the West. If they don’t turn things around soon, they will find themselves participating in the May 14th draft lottery, which would represent a disappointing end to a once-promising season.

All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com and www.teamrankings.com