*Some NSFW language*
Wave the white flag! Throw in the damn towel! By the looks of how this March is going, it looks like the Lakers will be eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth straight season. Playoff Mode was activated, but the Lakers did not purchase the full version of it. As I said, this month was going to be integral for the Lakers to run the table and win out despite that fact that this stretch is their toughest test of their playoff-bound fortitude. However, by the looks of what transpired this week, it's time to stick a fork in these Lakers. This is your Lakers' Weekly Roundup.
03/04: vs. LA Clippers 113-105 [L] (30-34)
HIGHLIGHTS
As if the start of March can't get anymore pathetic for the Purple and Gold. This was a MUST-WIN for the Lakers as they are about three games back from the Clippers for the 8th seed. Any win against little brother affects playoff implications and helps the Lakers creep closer to within striking distance for the final playoff spot. I was not surprised that they drop this game. Let's spot the Lakers this: Brandon Ingram was hurt this game from carrying this team. To lose him in a desperate time like this is a microcosm of how the season is dwindling in a downward spiral since the decisive victory against Golden State in December. Prior to this game, Ivica Zubac provided what should've been major ammo for the Lakers. He basically said that he was having more fun with the Clippers than he did with the Lakers and these Clippers are "locked in" with their eyes on the prize of the postseason. Back in the day, teams will take this as bulletin board material and try to make their former teammate's life a living Hell. Not today in this day and age of the NBA.
In this game, both the Clippers and Lakers were pretty much neck and neck. Though the close game doesn't overshadow any lowlights on the Lakers' end, particularly centering around LeBron James. You know it's bad when Kuzma has to push you to play D. Or it's bad when you let the ball roll across the timeline, pick it up, and try to pull up from deep and it rattles out in an epic fail fashion. Or when you're infatuated in passing the GOAT on the all-time scoring list rather than leading the team to a much-needed W. Oh and outside of Rondo, the supporting cast wasn't any better either.
The Clippers ultimately pulled away as Lou Williams did what he usually did in the 2nd half, take over the scoring. This was an all-around team win for the Clippers, something that is missing in the Lakers' English language dictionary as of late. As the Lakers try to gear up against the current #2 seed Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, it looks like they'll be even more shorthanded as Kyle Kuzma sustained an ankle injury late in this game. This is March Madness for the Lakers and not in a good way as those playoff chances continue to dwindle.
03/06: vs. Denver 115-99 [L] (30-35)
HIGHLIGHTS
Congratulations LeBron! You've surpassed Michael Jordan as the #4 all-time leading scorer in league history. One GOAT overlapping another GOAT, that's great. Now, the previous ruler of Laker Land that spanned a 20-year reign stands in your way. Honestly, it'd be super bipolar when LeBron passes Kobe on the all-time scoring list. Well, there goes 15-minutes of greatness personified. Let's not distract us from the fact that you went 0-4 from the free throw line to start and finished with a 38% shooting from the stripe. GOAT! Or when you did the same thing in the Clippers game where you rolled the ball across the timeline and lost control of it resulting in a turnover. GOAT! Destroying the upward trend of this team after an improved 35-47 campaign. GOAT! Proving me right that there would be baggage on you when the Lakers planned on bringing you in. GOAT! "But, ma groin." "I have no help." "Luke sucks." Not a single thing changes the fact that you're still a stat whore and chemistry killer that we grew to disdain even beyond the head-to-head wars vs. Kobe. Be lucky that a shortened season, Ray Allen, Kyrie Irving, and the league saved your legacy from being the best player in the world to never win a championship.
To no surprise, the Nuggets took advantage of the Lakers' lack of depth with injuries to Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonzo Ball. Though they almost did choke it away in the 2nd half. Let's be honest, they were on a losing skid because of shit like this. They couldn't close out a game for a team that's currently the #2 seed in the West. The Lakers had every chance to come back. But, stupid turnovers, missed shots, missed free throws, just a typical night of the Lakers throwing opportunity away. As if this team couldn't get any toxic, Rajon Rondo sat away from the rest of the team, next to some courtside fans as the game winded down. To make matters worse, now Brandon Ingram wants out of LA according to some rumors. I thought the Lakers cleaned the dysfunction out by firing Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak, but it's clear as day, that they let the dysfunction back in. As the Lakers continue to plummet down the standings, Lonzo Ball may not return at all this season. Maybe because LaVar is holding him out until Luke Walton gets the axe. And LeBron might be on a minutes restriction going forward. "Play Off" Mode activated.
03/09: vs. Boston 120-107 [L] (30-36)
HIGHLIGHTS
Let's get to some serious news first: Brandon Ingram will be loss for the rest of the season due to a deep venous thromosis (DVT) in his right arm. At this point, it's not clear if B.I. will pick up a basketball again. I'm no doctor, but anything related to blood clots has to be taken seriously. Chris Bosh's NBA career was cut short due to this kind of ailment. And it's quite sad that Ingram's scoring rampage since the All-Star break comes to a screeching halt like this. Especially, since this jeopardizes his young career. All we can hope for is B.I.'s speedy recovery and that this condition will not be recurring that he may have to step away from basketball for good. Godspeed B.I.
Now onto this game, with all the injuries, the playoff chances for the Lakers are dead at this point. They took so many L's at the beginning of this month against more of the better teams (with the exception of Phoenix). And the schedule ahead is still difficult for the Lakers to pull off a miraculous playoff push. Their next obstacle is against their arch-rival Celtics. This is not the same Celtics team that the Lakers played. After the beating they put on Golden State at Oracle on Thursday, one can assume those "Ugly, Green Leprechauns" have finally figured things out and turned the corner. Honestly, that team is at full strength while the Lakers had a patchwork "Fab Five" of Rondo, Caldwell-Pope, James, Wagner, and McGee. Despite a competitive first quarter, it was inevitable that the Lakers had no shot against a Celtics team at full strength. The only good things to take away here here is that Moe Wagner went off for 22 points and LeBron, of course, got his triple-double stats. Honestly, I would've rather saw Wagner develop as the Lakers' long-term "Stretch 5" this season. It doesn't make sense that you'd spend a first round pick on that guy and then trade for Muscala mid-season to fill in that role. Then again, he missed significant time at the beginning of the season with an injury. That hurt his growth. But at this point, let his feet get wet as this point from here on out is team evaluation to see who's good enough to the roster cut next season.
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