But these last 11 we have, with Orlando only having to keep doing what they're doing for 8 more to lose out, is where the boys will be separated from the men in tank competition. Our schedule someone pointed out shows 5 winnable games, and lately they're almost all close requiring luck on some to lose at the end. Lakers organization is highly aware of being seen as hypocrites if any losses might look like "blatant" tank losses. The thought of even a tie with Orlando is frightening. Guess I'm a bigger weenie than you.
I just don't think we can do it. Our team stinks. Even when they're trying their hardest it takes on Overtime to beat the Wolves who have only 8 active players. Everyone thinks we're going to beat the Kings those last two games. The Kings are 5-5 in their last 10 games and they've got this slick kid named Boogie Cousins. Boogie Cousins might be the best Center in the league that no one is watching. In his last 15 games Boogie has had THREE games of 30+ points and 10+ rebounds. He's got FIVE games of 17 or more rebounds. He's missed a double-double just three times in those 15 games. This kid is a monster. If he's playing, we're very unlikely to win.
Well, let's look at our schedule. The only thing that "saving" us here is our b2b schedule. Playing so many games in a week is very taxing, even on our young players. today @ Nets tomorrow @ 76ers Wed, Apr 1 vs Pelicans Fri, Apr 3 vs Trail Blazers Sun, Apr 5 vs Clippers Tue, Apr 7 @ Clippers Wed, Apr 8 @ Nuggets Fri, Apr 10 vs Timberwolves Sun, Apr 12 vs Mavericks Finally, 2 against Sacramento, first one is b2b. I think we could lose today, but it's going to be close. Let's be pessimistic and say we win. W. Sixers are bad and tanking, but it's a b2b for us and the game is in Philly. L/W? vs Pelicans is probably a L. Blazers? Loss for sure although they are not healthy. L. Clippers X 2. They are so much better, it's not even funny. 2XL. @Nuggets. Dangerous game, but it's in Denver on a b2b. L. vs Wolves. W. vs Mavs. They won't play hard, so anything can happen, but I don't think we're that stupid to win here - L. 2 against Sacramento we could split, first one is a b2b game. L & W? So, we're looking at four potential wins: @Nets today, in Philly on a b2b, vs Wolves and vs Sacto. The problem with us is that we play well against better teams, and we might be able to sneak in a win here and there. We'll see. As I said, it will be close. Photo finish. The only good thing is that if it really comes down to that last game against the Kings, we would probably just let them win. I mean, we're not going to ruin our offseason there, right?
We need some level of fairness in this competition from Orlando. Where's your balls? as Kobe would say. 1 win would be huge. Could happen.
No, I don't. I called us for 20 wins and that total still fits. We might get 21 I suppose but I do not see us winning more than two more games especially with so much on the line.
Good point, so let's do a breakdown of their remaining schedule: Wed, Apr 1 vs San Antonio Loss for sure, even if they are not tanking. Fri, Apr 3 @ Minnesota This one is tricky. Even with them trying to lose, I think Minny is simply better at tanking. They will sit everyone in order to lose. Probably a W. Sat, Apr 4 @ Milwaukee Loss. Wed, Apr 8 vs Chicago Loss for sure, even if they are not tanking. Fri, Apr 10 vs Toronto Loss for sure, even if they are not tanking. Sat, Apr 11 vs NY Knicks They could win this, but at this point NY will play harder, because no one is catching them. The Knicks have nothing to lose. Let's say it's a L. Mon, Apr 13 @ Miami Loss for sure, even if they are not tanking. Wed, Apr 15 @ Brooklyn Loss, because it's their last game of the season. If it comes down to this, they will let their ball boys play. Overall, I think the Magic will win one game. Is that enough?
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if we won today. I have it as a loss though. Sixers is a win. Pelians is a loss. Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets are all losses. Wolves are a win.The rest are losses. Even if we sneak one more win out besides Sixers and Wolves, the Magic will win one more game before the end of the season. We're going to lock in at #4.
I just don't have faith in this team to win games... They've found ways to lose all season long. We've hit this strange point where everyone hates everyone for everything they do now... me included. God I want this season to be over.
I am actually looking forward to our summer league games this year. 100% ready to forget everything about this season. Let's pretend it was just a bad dream.
Oh I'm on board for that. I'm looking forward to seeing Randle back on the floor with Black and Clarkson. If we have our Top 5 pick, then the Summer League might be must watch television.
Lin should miss the game tomorrow vs the 76ers as well. He should be out for the rest of the year with that URI.
Hill is playing today at the expense of Davis. Boozer is still sitting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Let it be Clarkson and his old running mate Brown and give it hell. I think Jabari would be more aggressive offensively if he thought Byron wanted him to score a lot. He's maybe not sure with exactly what Scott wants out of him besides effort. D sure, and I thought Byron praised him one of the early games, but maybe that was for effort not D? Peeps here don't seem to be overly impressed with his D. Good job Byron
Is it possible? The organization is realizing how precarious the situation is, finally? >>> Jack Nicholson has had it. Attendance will drop next year further and TW surely must have some clauses in there for performance and interest in NBA telecasts?
I hope that Hill is going to practice his mid-range jumper today. If it was up to me, I'd ask him to play some stretch 4. All the way to the 3-pt line.
If we lose the pick and make some bone headed FA decisions like throw the max at Rondo, Lakers will see a drop in attendance and viewership. Hopefully then reality will smack the front office in the face and cause them to make some personnel changes somewhere.
No Lin, Davis, or Boozer? Well, there certainly shouldn't be anyone complaining that we aren't trying to tank.
