How NBA Blogosphere Would Coach LA Lakers into the Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers have been the most talked-about team in the NBA all season long, despite their sub-.500 record and season-long struggles.

It's those struggles that make them such an interesting story, especially after we speculated all summer long that they would be competing for a championship with no problems.

Two coaches, a ton of injuries and a 28-30 record later, everybody wants to put their two cents in regarding the Lakers. It's fun to speculate on what they should or shouldn't do, but at some point we're just talking about nothing.

We're throwing darts at a wall with no real target, just tossing for the sake of tossing.

In order to really clear up what the people want from the Lakers in terms of running the team, let's take a tour of Twitter to see what it is, exactly, the world wants the Lakers to do in order to fix this mess of a season.

Of course, we're going to have to start with the obvious, what everybody has been screaming for since late December.

"

The Lakers should be working on trading Mike D'Antoni for cap space.

— Kobe Bryant Fans (@teamKB24) February 21, 2013"

For ages now people have been calling for Mike D'Antoni's head. From the stray Lakers fan all the way up to Chris Broussard, the consensus is that they don't want D'Antoni coaching the team anymore.

The problem with that is that Lakers committed to this coach, firing him now, or even during the offseason, would just signal another step back.

Even still, the criticism for D'Antoni and his rotations will reign supreme for the rest of the season.

"

#Pringles RT @halopwnography: @lakersnation Also have to look at the fact LA only had 8 players in rotation against Denver who used 12 or 13

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 26, 2013"

I can't imagine how the likes of Chris Duhon, Darius Morris or Robert Sacre would have helped against a fast, athletic team like the Nuggets, although I suppose Devin Ebanks could have provided a few minutes.

Of course, there are also thoughts on player movement. The right way to build this team is always one of the most popular topics for debate.

"

Lakers won't trade Dwight Howard but maybe they should.

— chris palmer (@ESPNChrisPalmer) February 19, 2013"

"

Always felt Josh Smith for Pau Gasol was the way to go.

— chris palmer (@ESPNChrisPalmer) February 21, 2013"

You know what the Lakers really need? A ball-dominant forward who shoots too many jump shots and will take shots away from Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.

It's easy to make the imaginary trade when you're not running a team, mostly because you don't have to deal with that pesky issue of other team owners.

It's goofy to speculate about and almost never comes to fruition.

Then there are those who are going to look to the past and think about what could have been, constantly seeing a brighter future with the road not taken.

"

All the clever NBA analysts are now saying maybe the Lakers need to change to a slower offense.For example maybe...the Princeton offense?

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) February 26, 2013"

The Princeton wasn't right for this team, D'Antoni's offense might not be right for this team. The only difference has been that D'Antoni's offense with this squad has taken a lot of fine-tuning, while the Princeton blatantly masks the strengths they have in terms of ball-handlers.

Thankfully, the always level-headed Larry Coon saves us a bit when it comes to the Lakers acquiring players who would be of no value to them down the stretch.

"

Mitch would have to lose his appreciation for players who can still play. RT @admirlal: what has to happen for Raja to sign with lakers?

"

"— Larry Coon (@LarryCoon) February 26, 2013"

And then there are other ideas that actually make sense, even if some of them are a bit goofy.

"

Dwight Howard takes his free throws from a step or so behind the line. He should take a few more steps back and make it a true Van Exel.

— Danny Chau (@dannychau) February 24, 2013"

"

Why have LAL won 11 of 15 games? Improved D. They were ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency in Jan., and are now up to 15th.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 24, 2013"

The point here is that there are plenty of people who want to give their opinion on what the Lakers should and shouldn't do. What becomes a problem is sorting through the crap to get to the stray kernel of insight.

Besides, we all know we should just go straight to Magic Johnson when we want real analysis of the Lakers. 

"

If the @lakers are to make the playoffs @kobebryant @stevenash & @dwighthoward are going to have to play great together.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 25, 2013"

There you have it. If you want to make the playoffs, just play great together.

It's as simple as that.