LAKERS HAVE TO GET TO 6TH PLACE

Image courtesy of Club937.com

The Los Angeles Lakers, after going 8-2 in their last 10 games, find themselves only 2 games out of 6th place. Currently, the 6th spot is being held by the Golden State Warriors who are .500 in their last 10 games. In order for the Lakers to have any shot to advance out of the 1st round they will have to get the 6th spot.


The "Battle for LA", if the Clippers-Lakers matchup happens, is their best chance. The Clippers rely too much on Chris Paul to coach the half-court set. This is not the same team that won 17 in a row. Sure they are more athletic than the Lakers, but their inadequacy added to the "Clippers Curse" outweigh the inefficiencies of the Lakers. The "Clippers Curse" refers to their franchise's lack of playoff wins.

Image courtesy of LATimes.com

Although the Lakers have been bad this season with the additions of two potential Hall-of-Fame players in Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, as a team they have outscored the Clippers this season 6969 to 6752. The Lakers have also shot the ball better behind the arc. Many would make the case that Chris Paul would destroy Steve Nash. I would make the argument that any playoff point guard in the West would do the same thing.

The Lakers right now are the worst team in the playoff picture on the road. Let's face it...playing the Clippers is really not going on the road. They would benefit from no travel and playing in front of a LA crowd somewhat. There is also pride. The Clippers resurgence in the City of Angels has created a dividing line in the city. Which team owns LA? In front of the Staples Center are all statues of Lakers to remind anyone attending which team built this place. Inside the arena the Clippers fans that have suffered season after season of poor to mediocre performance make their presence felt. If anything is going to get the Lakers mentally ready to perform this series would.