Los Angeles Lakers Struggles Continue: 10 Reasons They're Not Ready for Playoffs
When will Los Angeles Lakers fans admit that their team is nowhere near ready to win a third consecutive championship?
The Lakers have been on cruise control for most of the season and have now hit rock bottom after Monday's blow-out loss to the Bobcats.
Phil Jackson didn't have a whole lot to say after the game:
"I have one thing to say: I am very disappointed in our performance tonight. We are embarrassed about what we did and that's it."
Not exactly words of encouragement from the Zen Master.
He will never admit it to the public, but it sounds like Jackson is starting to worry about the state of his team.
Here are a few reasons why the Lakers have a lot of work to do before the playoffs.
10. Suspect Home Record
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The Lakers are 19-8 at home and that is only good enough for 10th in the league. Usually, the Staples Center is always one of the hardest place to get a road W.
This season the Pacers, Bucks and Kings have all won on the Lakers' home court.
Protecting the home court advantage is something the Lakers need to take more seriously down the stretch.
9. Kobe's Defense
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It hasn't been widely reported this season, but the defense of Kobe Bryant is slipping fast. The Heat's dynamic duo destroyed Bryant and the Lakers in their X-Mas day tilt. Paul Pierce dropped 32 on Kobe at the Staples Center last month.
These are the guys Kobe will be up against come playoff time.
With all of the wear and tear of Bryant's legs, he simply can't keep up with the young guns of today. A guy with a lighting fast first step will blow by Kobe in 2011.
8. Phil Jackson Losing Grip on the Team
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Jackson has made the NBA Finals in 13 of his 19 seasons.
But has he ever dealt with such a disinterested bunch?
Back-to-back blow-out losses and the players just keep looking ahead. Kobe Bryant sarcastically asked reporters if it's spring yet.
The two-time defending champs are riding a fine line between cocky and confident right now.
The zen has worn off on this veteran bunch.
7. Andrew Bynum's Still Not 100 Percent?
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What's the deal with Bynum only playing six minutes in the second half against the Bobcats?
Bynum's history of injuries makes this a legitimate question for the rest of his career. The Lakers' big man is an integral member of this team and if Bynum isn't healthy, they must sit him down and rest his knees.
Don't think we should put too much stock in Bynum's minutes...but it's something to keep an eye on.
6. Western Conference Tough to Crack
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The Spurs are in a zone right now and sport the best record in the NBA. Head coach Gregg Popovich recently admitted that all of the winning is "boring".
Oh, how it must be so hard to deal with a 46-9 record.
The upstart Thunder almost took out the Lakers last season. This year they are even better.
The Mavs are a sleeper in the 'Melo sweepstakes and would be very dangerous if the two forces combined.
And don't forget Chris Paul and the Hornets.
5. Kobe's Health
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Facts are facts...Kobe has logged 1077 regular season games and another 198 playoff games.
His knees aren't getting any better and Kobe refuses to miss games. After a brutally physical game against the Magic on Sunday, a banged up Kobe forced his way into over 30 minutes Monday against the Bobcats and missed 12 of his 20 shots.
The ego and quench for stats need to take a backseat for Kobe to ensure he is ready to go for the playoffs.
4. Ron Artest Saga
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The hardest player in the NBA to deal with is at it again in his second season in L.A. First he wants a trade, then he's happy, then he puts BleacherReport writers on blast and now he seems timid on the offensive end.
Why is Artest so afraid to shoot?
He hit the game clinching shot in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season but now he has less confidence than Haseem Thabeet.
Getting Ron Ron's head straight is essential for the Lake Show. He still is one of the better defenders in the league and the Lakers need him just as much as Artest needs the Lakers.
3. Matt Barnes's Role
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He hasn't played since early January due to a knee injury and has still not been cleared to practice with the team.
He has only suited up for 37 games this season and will have to play catch-up in a hurry when he returns.
As one of the few new guys on the Lakers, the on-court chemistry the rest of the team has is going to be missed when Barnes comes back.
He could throw some major dents in the triangle offense.
2. Motivation
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How much is too much?
After winning two championships in a row, almost the entire roster has experienced the euphoria that is winning a title. Most of them have won two. Kobe and Derrick Fisher have five.
A regular season tilt against the Sacramento Kings just does not excite this bunch.
Meanwhile the rest of the league circles the Lakers on their calender and makes sure they bring it 100 percent.
Doesn't matter how much more talent you have...a team playing at 100 percent against a team playing at 70 percent is going to have a great shot to win.
1. Rough Schedule Down the Stretch
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The Lakers have been the beneficiaries of one of the easiest schedules in the league.
After the All-Star break, the Lakers have a ton of tough games left on the slate.
Check out this eight day stretch in March:
Sunday, March 6th: @ San Antonio
Tuesday, March 8th @ Atlanta
Thursday, March 10th @ Miami
Saturday, March 12th @ Dallas
Monday, March 14t vs. Orlando
That's a brutal stretch for the aging Lakers. Overall they play 18 games over .500 in the last 26 games of the season.
Time to step it up Lakers.
