Yes, two embarrassing losses on the road. It's one thing to lose, but to play decent first halves and then lay down in the 3rd qtr. is just embarrassing. More evidence that this team has a long way to go before they can be considered anywhere near the elite of the NBA. Something I think all of us here have been saying all along.
msc...this was my point in the other thread about why I didn't think LA & SA would be competing for the 4th seed in the west. LA still needs to learn how to compete for 48 minutes on the road. And starting the playoffs on the road could spell a one & done for them this year.
Although I think they could possibly upset the Suns because of the style that Phoenix plays. Utah also has one of the better home records and should come out on top due to homecourt advantage. But the Mavs & Spurs IMO would take the Lakers out in 5 games...allowing for a Lakers win at Staples.
I agree with Lurker. Regardless of Lamar and Kwame being out, the effort put forth should not be effected. If they don't win the game because they got pounded on the glass but put for alot of effort, then ya you could point to Lamar/Kwame being out. The thing is that they have not learned how to battle back on the road when they don't have a crowd giving them a boost. Perfect example is Sunday vs DAL. I was at the game and the crowd really pushed for them in the 4th which seemed to boost their intensity. When they are on the road and the crowd is cheering against them they have not responded all that well in a number of those games. Miami Xmas day and the last two games come to mind as examples of that.
I think the Lakers could give Utah, Dal, PHX fits in the first round. I think they match up very well with Dallas, better then alot of the teams in this league.
They started on the road last year in the playoffs, where they were much worse on the road and at home, and faired pretty well. So I don't know if back to back losses on the road at the first half of the season automatically means 5 and out. They are actually 3-2 on back to backs and have no had more then 2 losses in a row more then a few times. Like LF said, if this continues once Lamar comes back and into the 2nd half of the season then you will be 100% dead on.
The Lakers can compete but like most of us said are not an elite team. They still have the problem they had even when Shaq was on this squad...they often play down to the level of teams they should beat. See the difference between the elite teams and the good teams is brushing off teams not on their level. The Hawks, Grizz, Knicks of the league. EVERYONE is gunning for the Lakers. Much like everyone is gunning to beat the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, etc. Everyone wants to beat a popular team or an elite team. The Lakers have to learn how to play like they have against Dal, SA, Phx at home against teams that are at the bottom of the pack on the road.
