1. The race for No. 8
The Eastern Conference may be going through a resurgence near the top of the standings, but through and through, the West still reigns supreme for its ridiculous number of competitive basketball teams.
Amidst all the shuffling for playoff positioning out West is a battle going on at the tail end of the postseason picture. As of right now, the Clippers have a hold on the eighth and final playoff spot, with the Sacramento Kings just a game behind and the Los Angeles Lakers two back as well.
Following the dealing of Tobias Harris, it looks as though the Clippers prefer to sit these playoffs out in order to retain the rights to their lottery-protected 2019 first round pick. They’ll continue to fight, but Harris’ absence may make it hard to do so, leaving the position up for grabs between the two Pacific division rivals.
For the Kings, to even be in this type of race is a massive accomplishment. Not only would a playoff berth end the longest current playoff drought at 13 years, but it would speak volumes to the organization and its future after years of ineptitude and mockery made them one of the laughingstocks of the league.
Looking at the Lakers, making the playoffs wasn’t supposed to be the main goal at this point in the season, but injuries and inconsistent play have led to this disappointment of a first season for LeBron James in Tinsel Town.
James hasn’t missed the postseason since 2005, his second year in the league. If people give him hell for losing in the Finals six times, it’s hard to even fathom the type of criticism that would befall him should L.A. miss out on the playoffs, especially when his legion of supporters continue to rep the King as the best player in the world at age 34.
Whether it’s the Kings, Lakers or maybe even the Clippers, there will be basketball disappointment in the state of California come April. But until then, sit back, relax and enjoy watching three teams with vastly different expectations coming into this season all fight incredibly hard for the chance to get obliterated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.