For the first time in a decade, expectations are high for the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the second half of the season. With about half the season remaining, here are five bold predictions for the Los Angeles Lakers post All-Star break.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the All-Star break in 2020 above .500 for the first time in almost a decade. Their 41-12 record has them positioned at the top of the Western Conference. The Lakers are currently four games ahead of the second-seeded Denver Nuggets, and five ahead of the LA Clippers.
Throughout the first half of the season, the Lakers have, objectively, been through quite a bit. Anthony Davis dealt with a shoulder issue, followed by a bruised tailbone. LeBron James once again was hindered by a sore groin. Alex Caruso has consistently had to play through a sore calf, and Avery Bradley has healed a stress reaction. Not to mention the gut-wrenching loss of Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant.
Through it all, the Lakers have kept their position atop the West. Critics have gotten on them for not preforming against top teams, relying too much on LeBron James and even their abundance of post-points per game. The Lakers just keep winning, though, silencing the questions about Frank Vogel and their role players.
There is a lot yet to be accomplished, however, as the Lakers begin to gear up for the long-awaited return to the playoffs. Laker Nation is thirsting for playoff basketball, as the purple and gold have missed the cut for the postseason in all of the last seven seasons.
While the most meaningful basketball the Lakers have played in years grows nearer, let’s take a look at a few bold predictions, for now until the conclusion of the 2020 NBA season.