While the loss wasn’t statistically their worst of the season, it’s hard to think that the Lakers have had a more disappointing loss than they did in Tuesday’s 117-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
With only 25 games left to go in the season, the Lakers are 2 1/2 games behind the Sacramento Kings for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. If the Lakers hope to avoid a first round date with Golden State, that numbers goes up to 4 games back of the 7th place San Antonio Spurs.
And with the question of playoffs on the minds of the Lakers travelling beat crew, LeBron James was asked about the possibility of missing them and he didn’t sound too concerned.
Factually speaking, James is not wrong. But it wouldn’t be weird to take the comments another way if you’re a Lakers fan, in that it doesn’t sound like James is too concerned about getting the Lakers back to where everyone expected them to be this season.
James’ longest-ever absence complicated things for the Lakers and may have helped James crystalize his idea of what his team is capable of. Missing the playoffs would hurt James, but his legacy, resume and injury would be enough to insulate him from the consequences.
Everyone else in the Lakers orbit, however, has relatively nothing to insulate themselves in what could be a much-colder spring than anticipated.
