The Los Angeles Lakers will head into Monday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls with a record of 16-25 and a lot of uncertainty looming about the team’s chances to clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Before the Lakers took the floor against the Bulls, Kobe Bryant spoke to the media and talked about a number of different topics including his injury status, Team USA and if he thinks the Lakers will make the playoffs this season.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Bryant isn’t sure if they’ll make the playoffs:
Kobe on if the Lakers will make the playoffs this season: “I don’t know. I have no clairvoyant powers whatsoever.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2014
As of right now, the Lakers making the playoffs doesn’t seem all that likely. The West is incredibly competitive this season with 10 of the 15 teams in the conference currently sporting winning records. Currently, the Lakers are sitting in 13th place in the conference standings with only the Sacramento Kings (14-25) and Utah Jazz (14-28) below them.
Fortunately, the Lakers are at the halfway point of the season and may still be able to turn it around. Along with Bryant still on the mend, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar and Xavier Henry remain out with injuries.
Once the veterans return, if they all return this season, the team may see their chances of making the postseason improve.
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Pau Gasol On Halfway Point Of The Season, Playoffs, and Ryan Kelly
