Poll: Will the Lakers make the playoffs this year?

[brainfreeze0]

Well we're a 1/3 of the way through the season and the Lakers are 11th seed and .483 in the standings running with a dismal 14-15 record. Yes or no if you think they will make the playoffs this year. Some say it is unrealistic for anyone to think they actually wouldn't, but really, is it really that unrealistic?

1) L.A. Clippers 22-6 .786
2) OKC 21-6 .778
3) S.A. Spurs 22-8 .733
4) Memphis 18-8 .692
5) G.S. Warriors 19-10 .655
6) Houston 16-12 .571
7) Denver 16-14 .533
8) Portland 14-13 .519
9) Minnesota 13-13 .500
10) Utah 15-15 .500
11) L.A. Lakers 14-15 .483
12) Dallas 12-16 .429
13) Pheonix 11-18 .379
14) Sac Kings 9-19 .321
15) N.O. Pelicans 6-22 .214

imo 6 of the spots aren't going anywhere and only 2 may move which will still be a battle between 5 teams (or more if Dallas gets back in their game with Dirk back)

[mytsunami]

Its unrealistic (lol)

[Ratzz]

top position would be 7th seed for the Lakers, anything higher is unrealistic.

no way they beat a No.1 seed or a No.2 seed... even if it's the Clippers,
they still lose.. and if it's OKC... ?

what is the actual likelihood of beating OKC on the road in a 7 game playoff?

[brainfreeze0]

Not to sure if Portland or Houston stay in the top 8 although if Lilliard tightens up his game even more who knows. I do think Utah makes it in and Denver stays in. Lakers barely beat Bobcats and the Wizards (with a little help from the refs in that one), the 2 worst teams in the NBA. Everyone has appointed Steve Nash as Captain Save a Ho but please, he adds some on the offensive end and nothing on the defensive end. Add to that they are all old and injury prone as the season wanes on.

[innovation]

Expecting them to solve defensive problems that come from age and body types is not going to change. Kobe at this rate will burn out by February. To be quite honest lakers would bow out and drop a few games instead of being humiliated in a 8th seed matchup. It's just not in the cards. Lakers can only get better but the west if full of hungry teams playing good ball. I say no.

[brainfreeze0]

Found this debate on bleacher report with same question. Here is the top comment:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1445148-debate-will-the-lakers-make-the-playoffs#comment-11094526

Lets look at this by the numbers. Over the past 10 years the average winning % of the 8th seed in the West is 55.7%. The lowest in that time was 51.2% and the highest is 61% (achieved twice). Right now LA stands at 39.1%. I will use the 55.7% average as the number LA needs to reach in order to make the 8th seed. This means the Lakers need a final record of at least 46-36. With 14 losses already in the books that leaves 22 losses max in order for them to make the playoffs. Looking at the schedule and assuming that LA beats every team with a winning % under .400, loses to every team with a winning % above .600, and splits 70-30 in favor of LA the teams between .400-.600 LA loses 25 more games, ending with a record of 43-39 or a .524 winning %. If LA gets into the playoffs with that record it will be the 2nd worse in the last 10 years.
Final prediction, LA misses the playoffs.

[brainfreeze0]

at this point Lakers at .469 and 15-17 with a tougher schedule coming up next four games:

Denver
Houston
OKC
Spurs


lets hear some opinions.

[Ratzz]

I think the Lakers gp 1-3 in their next four.. maybe 0-4 (tough call)

can't see really old team picking up steam.. getting psyched up..
that happens with younger players that are underpaid..

not older players that are way overpaid.. look at the Yankees...

when sh*t got rough they just folded up the tents, and packed it up.
same situation.

No playoffs, this year, or next. (prolly next one after that as well)

no playoffs next three years.

[brainfreeze0]

How confident are ppl that Lakers will still make the playoffs? they're 1-6 since I started this poll the other week and have dropped to a .417 at 15-21 in the standings

[baldur]

surely no.

[yisman]

How confident are ppl that Lakers will still make the playoffs? they're 1-6 since I started this poll the other week and have dropped to a .417 at 15-21 in the standings

I think they'll miss the playoffs.

Gasol may miss a few more games and Howard and Hill are out indefinitely


I bet this at 5 Dimes

1/13/2013 9:35 PM Props Basketball 25302 LA Lakers won't make playoffs* +110 vs LA Lakers make playoffs

[brainfreeze0]

Looks like the tides have turned in this poll in the last 6 games lol

[JM92]

I just saw this poll and voted no for one reason: Hill is out for the season.