5 Bold Predictions For Los Angeles Lakers’ 2016-17 Season
Lakers Sneak Into The Playoffs
Last season, the Western Conference’s eighth-seeded Houston Rockets finished the regular season with a 41-41 record.
It’s become clear the West is no longer as dominant as it once was. Only a few years ago, it would have taken significantly higher than a .500 win percentage to book a trip to the playoffs. But that’s the way life in the NBA is today, and it could work out in the Lakers’ favor.
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Yes, this team has been awful over the last few seasons. In the last two years, they haven’t even hit that 41-win total that got Houston to the postseason in 2016. For such a storied franchise, they’ve got a lot of work to do in order to get back to being among the NBA’s most respected.
I think they’ll take a step in the right direction in 2016-17.
They’ve got an exciting group of high-upside players highlighted by Clarkson, Russell and Ingram. Tie in the intriguing young talents of Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Zubac, and this team could be playoff bound — if they all live up to their potential.
Having a quality head coach in Walton will certainly help, too.
It’s going to be a bumpy road as the Lakers continue to suffer through the pains of a rebuild. However, I think the departure of Kobe might actually work in this team’s favor, giving the youngsters an opportunity to steal the spotlight.
More hoops habit: Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades
You probably didn’t hear it here first, but I’m calling it anyway: The Lakers sneak into the playoffs in 2016-17 as the West’s eighth seed.