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Los Angeles Lakers: Why the play-in could be a blessing in disguise

By Jason Reed

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 08: Head Coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to his team during a timeout in the first half of the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 8, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 08: Head Coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to his team during a timeout in the first half of the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 8, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. This gives the Los Angeles Lakers an extra game (or two!) to get right

The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time. If it was an 82-game season then I would feel better about their chances in the NBA Playoffs, but with only four games remaining, Laker fans have to be worried about the team.

It is not even the talent of the team that is worrisome. When healthy, the Lakers are the best team in the West and it is not close. The problem is that this team, particularly LeBron James, is not healthy. It is a positive sign to see Anthony Davis finally getting in a groove but LeBron’s ankle is a truly worrying sign.

Davis’ return is the perfect example of why the Lakers need more games. He was not the same AD right out of the gate and it took a few games for him to get back into the groove and really get going. Those games are important to not only get up to speed, but to get comfortable playing with the new players in LA as well.

LeBron James needs the same thing. LeBron is targeting a return against the New York Knicks but it could end up being against the Houston Rockets. Regardless, at most, LeBron has four more regular-season games to get up to speed.

The extra play-in game (or two) can really help the Lakers. Sure, their season is on the line, but it gives LeBron more minutes, more court time with his teammates to get ramped up for the long, grueling playoff series.

Because let’s be honest: if the Lakers lose both play-in games then they weren’t going to make a run for the title anyway. If they lose both play-in games then they likely would have lost the first two games against the Clippers if they were the sixth seed and probably would not have dug out of that.

In a sense, it allows the team to warm up while also getting the disappointment over with if they are not truly ready.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

It would be a shame if the Los Angeles Lakers don’t at least make a run at the NBA Championship but it shows that repeating in sports is such a hard thing to do.

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