After a 28-point loss to the Pelicans on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers slid to 9th in the Western Conference with a 27-33 record for the season.
Still, speaking on UNDISPUTED shortly ago, NBA analyst Ric Bucher became the latest to claim that the Purple and Gold are still positioned for a playoff spot.
"They're a 2nd round playoff team and it's still a possibility. I know things look grim right now, but the Western Conference is fragile. And where the Lakers are, no one is coming up behind them."
The Lakers started the season with title aspirations, and the combined power of Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis was thought to be among the best in the league.
Today, that core is getting criticism from countless fans and analysts for failing to step up to the plate.
"They can play better, they can get better," said Richard Jefferson. "They have been playing awful, I think everyone up here can admit that. So can it get better? Yes, it can. Are they ever going to get to a spot with this current roster that they can contend for the Western Conference or they can contend for a Championship? That answer is still no."
"I think, at best, if this team got things going maybe they get to the second round and don't have another first-round loss like they had last year. What they don't want to do is get into the play-in game, not be playing great basketball, then have to go against an absolute juggernaut in Phoenix or Golden State. That would be a first-round exit for them."
With Anthony Davis out for another 5 weeks, it will be up to LeBron and Westbrook to keep the Lakers afloat and give them a chance to compete in the postseason.
But no matter how bad it looks, there will always be those to hesitate to bet against them (and LeBron specifically). As long as the 17x Champs have world-class talent, they will always be perceived as a threat to the Western powerhouses.
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