Los Angeles Lakers: Why the title odds have gone down in the bubble

The Los Angeles Lakers’ title odds are worse now than they were in March.

In early March the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in back-to-back games to establish their place on the NBA’s totem poll. Laker fans were feeling great and it felt like the Lakers were the rightful favorite for the NBA Championship.

Now, five months later, the NBA Playoffs have not even begun, but the Lakers are still the first seed in the West. A lot has happened in the last five months, mostly off the basketball court, and now, in a world that is completely different than it was in March, the Lakers’ title odds are different.

The Lakers’ title odds are worse, at least in the opinion of this concerned writer.

Now, this is not to say that the Lakers cannot or will not win the NBA Championship, but I unfortunately like the team a lot less than I did five months ago and there are three specific reasons why.

1. The play in the bubble has been awful

This is the first reason and it is the one that carries the least weight. I acknowledge that the Lakers have the talent to turn it around in the bubble, but thus far, they have looked bad a lot more than they have looked good.

That is a least a little bit concerning, especially considering the long lay-off. In normal seasons it might not be that big of a deal. In 2020, the Lakers do not have much time to get right and make a playoff run.

I do think the next two reasons are much more significant whereas this only plays a minor role, but it does play a role nonetheless.