From a mathematical standpoint, the Los Angeles Lakers still have a chance at making it to the postseason. While that is true, it is hard to jump for joy when that thought is considered.
The 2021-22 campaign has easily been one of the most disappointing ones in franchise history. One could even make the argument that this season has been the most frustrating one since the team was established in the late 1940s.
Needless to say, the Lakers entered the season with tremendously high aspirations. It is only sensible, though, that a roster filled with Hall of Fame talent is going to thus be expected to perform at an elite level.
Granted, many folks believed the purple and gold would be quite a spectacle to watch, they have instead caused plenty of eye strain to their fanbase. At best, the Lakers have consistently been inconsistent and rarely ever seem able to put together 48 minutes of quality basketball. That has sadly been the story with this squad.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons why the Lakers have not fared well has been due to poor health. They have not been able to catch a break from the get-go and it sheds light on why they are in a precarious predicament at the moment.
Despite the ongoing health concerns, head coach Frank Vogel remains optimistic about what this group can accomplish. Per Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation, Vogel furthermore commented that if Anthony Davis can be healthy for the play-in tournament, the team will be in a better place.
"“Well, we’re hopeful that those two games will be played with Anthony Davis instead of shorthanded adding guys off the waiver wire and trying to get through,” Vogel said. “We can look at how we got to this point, or we can look at who we’re going to be when we get to those games, and we believe in who we’re going to be when we get to those games.”"
While it is nice seeing Frank Vogel’s belief in what the Lakers can be, it is merely admirable at best.
Vogel’s assertion of “who we’re going to be” is honestly a bit concerning as well. Such a statement insinuates that Lakers can just turn on the light switch once the lights are shining brighter.
That is a rather dangerous way of thinking. On the one hand, it is encouraging that Vogel still has confidence in his players. At the same time, his comments suggest that everything is going to be peaches and cream if the team can field a fully healthy roster.
Let’s be honest, folks. Even if the Lakers are completely healthy headed into the play-in tournament, this group is not going to make much noise. It is not safe to assume that Anthony Davis is suddenly going to transform into the guy he was two years ago when the Lakers won it all. He may never be that version of himself again.
Even LeBron James has struggled to stay on the court throughout the season, granted he has been able to make a much greater impact than AD. In addition, no one ever knows how well (or not so well) Russell Westbrook is going to play on any given night. Sure, Westbrook has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has oftentimes made careless mistakes in crucial moments.
As Hansford noted, the Lakers have been forced to get creative with their roster as the year has progressed. Part of it has naturally been due to the injury bug that has plagued them. As a result, certain reserve players have taken on bigger roles than anyone ever expected them to have.
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The issues extend beyond the injury bug, though. Vogel has tinkered with different combinations since day one and has tried everything in the book to find the right combination. It just has not happened.
Without a doubt, the Lakers are an extremely talented team. Conversely, only talent can carry a group so far and they have yet to mold any sort of identity. That in itself is eye-opening, especially considering the fact they have played over 70 games thus far.
During the previous couple of campaigns, the Lakers relied heavily on gritty, hard-nosed defense to win contests. Even if the buckets were not falling, “D” was always their calling card. Despite that, the 2021-22 Lakers have been a whole ‘nother can of worms in this regard.
Irrespective of how brutal the season has been, Vogel is not throwing in the towel. He discerns that the Lakers are not flawless yet remains positive about what they will possibly look like going forward.
"“We have our faults. There’s no question about that,” Vogel added. “It doesn’t change my belief… If you put our two guys back together, who have not been together all year. Anthony [Davis] and LeBron, with the addition of Russ and talented role players we have on this group, we haven’t seen that. We haven’t seen it really all year.”"
Vogel is correct in saying that the team has not been able to establish that togetherness. That is the key. When the Lakers won the title in 2020, the team had such an excellent rapport with one another. The same cannot be said about this group.
Once more, it is fully understandable that the injuries have made this season unbearable. It never helps matters when such occurrences manifest themselves. But this 2021-22 Lakers team does not play with that same energy and charisma that became so commonplace a couple of years ago.
They were very much so “together” in that magical championship run. Yes, that particular squad was more fortunate with health that year. However, there were no locker room issues then and that played a vital role in their success. All egos were put aside.
On the flip side of the coin, things have been rather unharmonious when this current team is placed under the microscope. Too many stories could be rehashed, but simply put, this team really does not look like much of a team.
Vogel is correct in saying this team is chock of talent. Nonetheless, this team has yet to convince anyone that they have much of a shot if they qualify for the playoffs.
Albeit their head coach believes in them, they do not appear to have much belief in themselves. Namely, since the All-Star break, the Lakers look like a team that is ready for the season to be over. Their effort has been minimal, and the results have tended to speak for themselves.
In full of that (and so much more), it is difficult to side with Vogel on this one. It is commendable that he is sticking by the Lakers till the bitter end, but all the Lakers have done this year is cause bitterness to brew.
At the end of the day, the Lakers have not shown any underlying sense of pride. It has been that bad, ladies and gentlemen, and it is as if they have accepted their fate already.
There has not been much, if any, progression up to this point and they look uninspired. On that note, for Vogel to think that they will suddenly be different in the playoffs is foolish.
For what it is worth, I sincerely hope the Lakers do prove me wrong. In a perfect world, it would be refreshing if they finally turn it on when the postseason arrives. It is just hard to envision because they have not necessarily given anyone reason to believe in them.