[wvuauthor]

What does everyone think about the Lakers chance at making the Playoffs? They are 9 games back in the Pacific, and trail both the Clippers and the Suns.

With what seems like a team with only Kobe, can the Lakers make up enough ground to sneak in?

[Lefty Noob]

I think they'll make it. If the season ended now, I believe they'd be the No. 8 seed, just edging out Utah by a game. Kobe by himself is good enough to get that team into the playoffs, but it appears that they might be looking for a veteran guard to add to the mix -- Penny Hardaway, perhaps?

I think they will edge in just in time too. I also think they can do good possibly win. Remmeber the first championship with Kobe, 99-00? The man was amazing! The 02-03 season with the 4th longest 40+ streak, and being the youngest to hit 10,000 points? It will be hard to get there I would say the odds are bad but it can be done. It would be nice to have some other players on the team though.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, bbwf.

Gotta agree with you. It just wouldn't seem right for the Lakers to not make the playoffs. With all the stuff they've made it thru in the past, I bet they'll be there this year.

[mcclainbabygirl]

It can't just be the Kobe show he can't do it alone. Jordan needed Pippen so they are going to have to get someone that can play with Kobe or that can stand to play with him. Until then it will be hard for them to win another championship. They ruined a good thing with him and Shaq. Now look who is on a better team plus the Lakers are young they'll only get better with time.

[Lefty Noob]

I agree. There's no chance that they're a title contender this year, but with Kobe and Lamar Odom leading the way, they ARE a playoff team, if only the No. 8 seed. I don't think anyone can deny that.

[cjg11582]

Management desperately needed to make a trade because everyone is expendable on the team outside of Bryant. I think Kenyon Martin for Odom would have been worth attempting simply because they have two too many hodge-podge big men, and a reliable post-presence like Martin could have proven essential. Odom just doesn't mesh well with this team, he is under-utilized and would be better off elsewhere.
But their playoff chances are scarce at best. They are clinging to the 8th seed right now, and if lucky they will hold onto it. But Sacramento's improvement since acquiring Artest coupled with Houston finally having Yao and McGrady, the odds of them holding onto that #8 seed are looking slimmer by the day. I hope they make the playoffs, but obviously I am skeptical. I just watched them get owned by the Clippers and the instability within the Lakers is noticeable. Nice to see Larry Brown and Phil Jackson mailing it in this year.

[pete_b]

Asking if the Lakers will make the playoffs is like asking if that stoner in your high school Chemistry class will graduate high school. Making the playoffs in the NBA is not that difficult of a feat. I'm pretty sure Illinois could do it if given the chance. The Lakers are the most miserable failure of management in the history of the NBA. To have Phil Jackson, SHAQ and Kobe on one team I guess was just too good to be true so the fear of success takes over and the team is destroyed. What a shame. Yes I think the Lakers will make the playoffs but so what.

[wvuauthor]

I do not think that the Lakers are a lock. They are only 2 games ahead of Utah, with a couple of other teams within 3 or 4 games. If they do not pick it up in the second half one of the teams on their heels could snatch up the
8th spot.

[Lefty Noob]

What do you think happens if they miss the playoffs, with both Kobe and Phil there? Does this team get blown up, or do they stay the course with only minor tweaking?

[wvuauthor]

Lefty,

That is an excellent question, and in my opinion it is one that needs answered regardless of if they make the playoffs. Anything short of winning a couple of playoff series will raise some major questions.

They have the best coach in the league as well as one of the best players. The problem as I see it is that they will never be able to get another top notch player because he will not want to share the spotlight with Kobe and vice versa.

I would imagine that they will make some personnel changes this summer and try to get some solid players that will fit in with the current system.

[cjg11582]

They will stay together because there is always the scapegoat of the "missing link". Which I am inclined to agree with. But Phil Jackson, according to all sources is giving Doug Christie a run for his money as most whipped NBA personality. So if his girlfriend wants him to stay, then he probably will. In addition he has no real reason to leave. Making ten million a year to watch Kobe Bryant chuck 35 shots a game is a fairly nice gig. But oddly enough, its the Lakers best chance to win.

[Wizard of Os]

Cheers, everybody!

Addressing the general chatter here, then, and especially Mcclainbabygirl.

I forget who it was that editorialized so after Kobe's 81-pointer, but he ultimately came to the conclusion that the current Laker season represents perhaps Phil Jackson's best work ever.

What Jackson has done, runs the argument, is concoct an entire game plan based around Kobe, the all-around lethal weapon. Meanwhile, he's got at least ten guys convinced to defer to Kobe. You know why? Because it's the only way they'll win at all. So zen...as long as the tragically underrated Odom gets thrown a few bones (Is there anyone in the NBA with more near triple doubles than Lamar?), the Lakers can maintain at least a winning record and might just be the first truly one-man team to make the playoffs. And then get bounced by the Mavericks double-quick.

However, as a Laker fan since the days of Magic, i'm bummed that this discussion even needs to take place...

[wvuauthor]

I for one would never doubt Phil Jackson. Regardless of what the Lakers look like on the court, and what everyone says about Bryant, this guy knows how to win.

I agree that Bryant is a one man show, but I would have to imagine Jackson knows what he is doing and will right the ship.