The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 50 games into the NBA regular season, with only one more game left in the month of January. Although Luke Walton’s team is currently ahead of the NBA pace, it also translates to a spaced-out final 32 games for the constantly growing team.
Although the results haven’t translated to victories, the fan base is beginning to witness the progression of the Lakers and their young core. 19-year-olds Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram have taken on more of a responsibility of late, while the team attempts to learn from their mistakes and grow as a unit.
However, the losses and forgettable blowouts haven’t translated in terms of media attention around the NBA. On Friday, it was announced that a future Lakers game, which was to be broadcasted on TNT on February 6, is being dropped, via Mark Medina of the O.C. Register:
TNT is dropping the Lakers-Knicks game on Feb. 6. Cavs-Wizards get that slot instead.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) January 27, 2017
When taking a logical look at the standings, it makes sense as to why the NBA would choose this route. The 16-34 Lakers against the 20-27 New York Knicks surely won’t draw as much of a crowd as the 30-14 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 25-20 Washington Wizards would.
The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, with recently announced All-Star reserve John Wall on pace to have a career-defining season. The matchup between the first-place Cavaliers and fifth-place Wizards at the Verizon Center will be a major draw, as the struggling Cavaliers attempt to rebound against another playoff contender.
Although Los Angeles and New York are the media capitals in the NBA, the opposing matchup features many superstars in LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and John Wall.
With the telecast being dropped by TNT, expect Spectrum SportsNet to now telecast the game, which is slated to start at 4:00 P.M. PST, at Madison Square Garden.
