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Los Angeles Lakers will go on a big run once Lonzo Ball returns

By Jason Reed

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NBA playoff picture with reinforcements on the way in Lonzo Ball.

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently the 10th seed in the Western Conference and two games out of the Sacramento Kings and the eighth-seed in the West.

With 26 games left to play, the Los Angeles Lakers still have plenty of time to climb up the standings and even finish as a mid-seed on the Western Conference side of the NBA Playoffs.

However, it is starting to get to the point where it is okay to worry as a fan. Nobody really expected the Lakers to only be .500 after 56 games played with LeBron James. Granted, the team did fall fast down the standings while James was hurt, which is another reason to be concerned.

With James back, it is safe to say that many expected a quick turnaround out of the Lakers. However, the team is still missing a huge piece that usually does not get the credit he deserves for the impact he brings to the team.

The team is still without their starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, who has a much bigger impact on the Lakers than most fans think.

Even Ball’s teammates realize that they need Ball back, citing the defensive side of the ball as a huge reason why (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).

Ball is back running on an anti-gravity treadmill and the initial timetable for return was four to six weeks. Feb. 18 will mark four weeks, so hopefully, the Lakers get him back before the end of February.

Even if Ball is held out until the beginning of March the Lakers will have 21 games to make their push up the standings. Twenty-one games are more than enough for the team to make a run with Ball back in the lineup.

His defense is obviously sorely missed but his impact on the offensive side of the ball is unmatched as well. Ball has such a great feel for the flow of the offense and creates countless looks for his teammates. Say what you will about his shooting but his distribution skills are unmatched at point guard.

Rajon Rondo is great and all but he is the only traditional point guard on the team right now and that is obviously having its impact. This seems like a team that is losing its defensive identity, which starts from the top at point guard.

It is nothing against Rondo but he does not turn up the defensive intensity in the regular season. Ball has already shown signs of being an All-Defensive player in the next five years.

Next. Better options than Carmelo. dark

We don’t think it is a stretch that the Los Angeles Lakers will make a huge playoff run. With Ball back, the Lakers will finish the year on a 15-6 run, which should put the team around the 45 wins. That should be enough to snag a playoff spot in the West.

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