LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Five things we have learned about the Lakers after one month

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 100-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 100-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Devin Booker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Devin Booker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. The Lakers are far away from being a playoff team

To be fair, anyone outside of the city of Los Angeles did not expect the Los Angeles Lakers to make the playoffs. LA has been amongst the bottom feeders of the NBA the last four seasons and while 2017 looked to be an improvement, the jump from the third worst to a top eight team in the West was definitely far-fetched.

More from LA Sports Hub

That still did not stop some Lakers’ faithful from pinning unrealistic expectations on the team. With such a prestigious past, Laker fans have been spoiled. Thus, an eighth seed did not seem like a goal and seemed more like a given. However, after one month of play, every Laker fan can likely kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Now, a 6-10 record is not terrible and certainly can be rebounded from, but Los Angeles may be hitting their ceiling with this winning percentage.

Although at one point LA were proud owners of a 5-5 record, a 37.5% winning percentage is more up their alley. With that winning percentage, fans can expect the Lakers to win 31 games this season.

It is even harder to imagine the Lakers making the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference. In the East, maybe — maybe Los Angeles could sneak into an eighth seed by beating up on low-level teams. Even that is a stretch though. This team is simply too green and a winning culture does not seem to exist around Luke Walton.

Next: Why it is okay to trade KCP

For now, Laker fans should just enjoy the hype train of Kyle Kuzma. Outside of that, nothing really seems too promising for the Lakers until the 2018 offseason.

Home/Lakers Rumors