Are the Lakers setting the bar high enough for the rest of the season?
By losing three games in a row and seven of their last 10 in recent days, the Los Angeles Lakers have slipped in the standings. They held second place in the Western Conference not too long ago, but now, they're in fourth place with a 43-28 record, which is the same record the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies have. The Lakers also now have only a two-game cushion on the sixth-place Golden State Warriors.
After their stunning 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, head coach JJ Redick said they're aiming to finish with at least the sixth seed in the West.
Via ESPN:
"Lakers coach JJ Redick has said that the goal for his team is securing the No. 6 seed or better so it can bank a week of rest and preparation between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs rather than face a must-win scenario in the play-in tournament, which Los Angeles has dealt with three of the past four years," wrote Dave McMenamin.
On the surface, this may seem like a reasonable goal. But is it a sufficient one?
Setting such a low bar or minimum could give this team and its players a built-in excuse to mail it in and lose to inferior teams such as the Bulls, or the Orlando Magic, the team L.A. lost to by 12 points on Monday. Subconsciously, they may feel as if their goal is already a lock, and therefore they may not play hard or start to gear up for the playoffs as the calendar turns over to April.
Last season, the team lost a large number of games to inferior teams, and this season, it has done well against teams with winning records, but not as well as it should be doing against teams it should be beating. One has to wonder if last season the Lakers were content with reaching the play-in tournament and thought it could take it easy all year, then turn it on in April.
Los Angeles is currently just one game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets, a team it will likely earn the tiebreaker over. It is also just 2.5 games behind the second-place Houston Rockets, a team it will play twice at home over the next few weeks.
That means getting the second seed could still be realistic, which means the team should be aiming for the second seed if it is truly serious about reaching the NBA Finals. Otherwise, it could start the playoffs on the road against a feisty Memphis or Denver team and possibly exit in that round.
The Lakers are fully healthy now. They have no excuses to take it easy or take plays, quarters or games off. It is time for them to get into playoff mode and reach for the stars.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Are the Lakers setting the bar high enough for the rest of the season?
Topics
-
Bronny James sets new highs in depleted Lakers' loss to Bucks
On a night when not much went right for the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James was the bright spot. The oldest son of LeBron James set career highs with 17 points and five assists in ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Kentucky women's basketball season over, but Kenny Brooks has Cats set up for success
March Madness is over for Kentucky basketball, but Kenny Brooks set the bar high in his first season. Here's how he primed Cats for sustained success.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
South Bay Lakers recap: G League Lakers win their final home game of this season
The G League Lakers won't be going to the playoffs, but they did end their home regular-season schedule on a high note.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Democrats set themselves up for year of primaries in 2026
Progressives are vowing to run primary challenges against Democrats who do not do enough to stand up to President Trump and the GOP, an effort that is intensifying after Senate Minority Leader ...The Hill - Mar. 18 -
Eric Robinson Sets New Career High In Goals
Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Robinson set a new career high Friday night, netting the empty-netter in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.Robinson, 29, scored his 13th ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
JJ Redick on the Lakers' tough schedule
How does Lakers head coach JJ Redick feel about his team's challenging schedule over the rest of the season?Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Leroy Sané could be set for a move to the Premier League
It has been a difficult season for Leroy Sané; while he has been able to play 34 games and contribute to 12 goals in 2024/25, the 29-year-old is not a regular starter for Bayern Munich - and ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
76ers' George shut down for rest of season
Paul George has been ruled out for at least the rest of the regular season after receiving injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee MondayESPN - Mar. 18 -
Louisville basketball's season is over, but Pat Kelsey primed Cards for sustained success
March Madness is over for Louisville basketball but Pat Kelsey set the bar high in his first season. Here's how he primed Cards for sustained success:Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Nottingham Forest Told Club Record Fee Needed to Secure Newcastle, PSG Target From Wolves
Despite intense interest during the winter transfer window, Wolverhampton Wanderers locked down Matheus Cunha with a long-term contract extension.Speculation about his future, however, hasn’t gone ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Image: Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen flying in training ahead of comeback
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is steadily progressing in his recovery process as he aims to return before the end of the season. It must be noted that the German shot-stopper suffered ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
New Zealand wins the toss and bowls in the fifth T20 cricket international against Pakistan
Yahoo Sports - 42m -
Grizzlies' Scotty Pippen Jr., Jay Huff seize bigger roles in absences of Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke
The Memphis Grizzlies routed the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night after getting strong performances up and down the roster.Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Real Madrid secure future of defensive revelation until 2029 with blockbuster renewal
In a surprising turn of events, it has been revealed by MARCA that Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has already finalized a contract renewal with the club, securing his future until 2029. His new ...Yahoo Sports - 48m
More in Sports
-
Nottingham Forest Told Club Record Fee Needed to Secure Newcastle, PSG Target From Wolves
Despite intense interest during the winter transfer window, Wolverhampton Wanderers locked down Matheus Cunha with a long-term contract extension.Speculation about his future, however, hasn’t gone ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Heat cruise to a win over Warriors in Butler's return to Miami
With Jimmy Butler back in the building, the Miami Heat handled the Golden State Warriors to get the win.ESPN - 14m -
Image: Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen flying in training ahead of comeback
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is steadily progressing in his recovery process as he aims to return before the end of the season. It must be noted that the German shot-stopper suffered ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
March Madness 2025: Ranking every coach in the Sweet 16 as NCAA Tournament rolls on to regional semifinals
From 1-16, Kyle Boone ranks the coaches still standing in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 fieldCBS Sports - 28m -
New Zealand wins the toss and bowls in the fifth T20 cricket international against Pakistan
Yahoo Sports - 42m