Will the Lakers miss the playoffs?

[huskers1217]

I did not believe this stat.

this year. 326-665 = 339

Nash career 3038-3360 = 322




shit, he has missed 7 in less than a week

 

[HammerDown]

 

[starbigd]

I don't even see what the payoff is for the Lakers in making the post season. What, pride?

They WILL lose in the first round, that's for sure. Maybe even get swept. I don't get what it is they have to gain here.

They are expending a TON of energy on very tired legs to even get this far. They won't have anything in the tank for the playoffs.

 

[herky]

Yes they will

 

[beardown07]

Better question...if they do, will Chobe go OJ on shit?

 

[Shanemansj13]

Damn! That is it for LA, playoffs or not. Amd yes I would still say this with Kobe against Spurs or Thunder.

 

[TexasMan]

Sternball got the Lakers 50 free throws tonight.

Even though Kobe is gone, they are far from done this year. Stern will make sure of it.

 

[HammerDown]

They need to miss the playoffs and go start looking at draft picks. I wonder what this means for Kobe's career?

 

[HammerDown]

Speculation begins.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[Ragingcroc]

https://www.facebook.com/Kobe/posts/10151563315250419

Kobe Bryant · 16,009,306 like this
3 hours ago ·
This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that
was. Maybe this is how my book
ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.
I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out

 

[OregonDucks]

Yeah Kobe, you have a chance to retire at the age of 35 as a multi time champion and relax in your mansion with millions of dollars in your bank account allowing you to never work again in your life. Life sucks man...

that's what I was thinking in my head when I read that first half of that facebook vent...

then I saw what he said following his understanding it's not the worst thing in the world and then he goes to praise his teammates and then oddly enough, I gained respect for Kobe Bryant..

 

[wildturkey]

They need to miss the playoffs and go start looking at draft picks. I wonder what this means for Kobe's career?

They need to make the playoffs to get a look at a 1st round pick. It's complicated because of multiple trades but Zach Lowe has explained it a few times. Best I can tell is if LA misses the playoffs, their 1st rounder goes to PHX. If they make the playoffs, Cleveland has the option of swapping picks. Cleveland owns two 1st rounders (theirs and Miami's) so they'll most certainly swap the Miami pick for LA's. Still no guarantee they'll keep the 1st rounder though. Their strategy for the last 15 years or so is usually to trade away the first rounder (guaranteed contract) for 2nd rounders (non-guaranteed and cheaper) and use the cash for a 1st rounder on a mid-level exception player.


As for Kobe, definitely a bummer injury. My gut tells me he'll be back within the 6 to 9 month time frame. I've learned to just go with Kobe after years of seeing him get hurt and saying "welp, he's out" only to come back before everyone expects. I'm just having a hard time believing the injury wasn't workload related from heavy minutes. I've read where doctors, including an NBA doctor, say achilles' injuries aren't fatigue related. I guess I'll believe them, they are doctors, but still. D'Antoni is notorious for running players into the ground.

 

[Ragingcroc]

They need to make the playoffs to get a look at a 1st round pick. It's complicated because of multiple trades but Zach Lowe has explained it a few times. Best I can tell is if LA misses the playoffs, their 1st rounder goes to PHX. If they make the playoffs, Cleveland has the option of swapping picks. Cleveland owns two 1st rounders (theirs and Miami's) so they'll most certainly swap the Miami pick for LA's. Still no guarantee they'll keep the 1st rounder though. Their strategy for the last 15 years or so is usually to trade away the first rounder (guaranteed contract) for 2nd rounders (non-guaranteed and cheaper) and use the cash for a 1st rounder on a mid-level exception player.


As for Kobe, definitely a bummer injury. My gut tells me he'll be back within the 6 to 9 month time frame. I've learned to just go with Kobe after years of seeing him get hurt and saying "welp, he's out" only to come back before everyone expects. I'm just having a hard time believing the injury wasn't workload related from heavy minutes. I've read where doctors, including an NBA doctor, say achilles' injuries aren't fatigue related. I guess I'll believe them, they are doctors, but still. D'Antoni is notorious for running players into the ground.

I wonder how much him overcompensating from the others injuries he received during the game caused the achilles injury. I guess I don't even see the point of them reaching the 8th seed at this point. They'll get blown out by the Spurs/Thunder anyway even if they still had Kobe.

 

[Jets201]

Lakers won't miss, not a chance at this point, even with Kobe out.

 

[wildturkey]

I wonder how much him overcompensating from the others injuries he received during the game caused the achilles injury. I guess I don't even see the point of them reaching the 8th seed at this point. They'll get blown out by the Spurs/Thunder anyway even if they still had Kobe.

Pride and the draft pick is really the only point in making it. I agree they weren't winning either way.

 

[starbigd]

The Lakers play better IMO without Kobe......because they can actually run Dantoni's offensive system.

The real question is whether they are too injured with Nash also out. And if they draw OKC it won't matter anyway.

The real question is if they amnesty Kobe. I think they have to. He won't be playing next year, and they NEED that 80 mill if they're going to keep Howard. Despite what homers here think about the Buss family, they aren't going to pay an 80+ mill luxury tax out of their own pockets to keep a roster together that cant contend, and has it's best player at home.

I think Mitch better start shipping guys out, like he should have done before the trade deadline. If they resign Howard (which isn't a given) they will need to put some YOUNG talent around him. They don't have any money to keep him AND Kobe......zero FA dollars to spend and no draft picks.......and no talent in the draft anyway. They are really screwed here. Good job Kupchak.

 

[OregonDucks]

It is a decent question to ask about the Lakers...What is the point to make the playoffs now? You get the 8th seed and are out in 4 games against the Thunder..You CAN'T win the whole thing without Kobe and a injured riddled roster. So why go? It is not like they are a young team (Jazz) and could use the extra games and atmosphere for experience.

In fact, missing the playoffs is the better option for this franchise for the next season. you get a decent draft pick and you get to rest your top guys, and being so injured throughout the entire year the extra rest is probably for important than 4 extra games.

 

[starbigd]

It is a decent question to ask about the Lakers...What is the point to make the playoffs now? You get the 8th seed and are out in 4 games against the Thunder..You CAN'T win the whole thing without Kobe and a injured riddled roster. So why go? It is not like they are a young team (Jazz) and could use the extra games and atmosphere for experience.

In fact, missing the playoffs is the better option for this franchise for the next season. you get a decent draft pick and you get to rest your top guys, and being so injured throughout the entire year the extra rest is probably for important than 4 extra games.

I don't think they have any draft picks this year. And it's probably one of the weakest drafts I can ever remember.

 

[HammerDown]

You know what's funny, and I shoulda said this before they beat the Spurs because I was thinking it as soon as Kobe got injured, but what if the Lakers actually play better with Kobe outta the lineup. Let's face it, they have enough talent on this team to win the West without Kobe if they just play to their potential.