Los Angeles Lakers one of the most
storied franchises in American sports history are currently on the outside
looking in when it comes to the NBA playoff picture. Despite one of the best
rosters in the NBA the Lakers are fighting to sniff the NBA playoffs. As NBA
fans and media question the Lakers ability to turn things around over the later
portion of the season Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash remain
confident of a NBA playoff appearance. When discussing the issue in a recent
Sports Illustrated interview Kobe Bryant said "It's not a question of if
we make the playoffs. We will,” Bold statement by the NBA's worldwide
spokesperson as #24 has never been a individual short on confidence or will.
Seeing the glass more than half-full is the way Bryant has always viewed life
in the NBA. After Bryant's playoff guarantee
fellow teammates Nash and Howard were asked about the statement and responded
"Yeah, I guarantee it, too," Nash said and Howard responded with
"I'm not going to sit up here and say, 'No, we're not going to make it,'
" Howard said. "We got to have faith, and if we don't, we're not
going to make it, but I believe that we're going to turn this around and we're
going to be great."
The Lakers currently sit 3 1/2
games behind the James Harden led Houston Rockets and sit 4 1/2 games outside
of 7th place Utah Jazz. Los Angeles Lakers 27-29 are 7-3 over their last 10
games and starting to click on the court. Howard seems to have his explosive
bounce and first step back after a nagging shoulder and back injuries. While a
lot of media focus surrounding the NBA's best big man remains on what he will do
during the upcoming off season. General Manager Mitch Kupchak is confident that
Howard is the center piece and future of the Los Angeles Lakers. With the NBA
trade deadline passed and gone Howard seems more inclined to stay in Los
Angeles. The relationship between Howard and Kupchak is based on trust "He
just told me to trust him, so I’m going to trust him and go out there every
night, play as hard as I can" Howard said.
Now with chemistry starting to mesh
and injuries to Nash and Howard on the mends the focus for the Lakers is making
the playoffs. Trust is no longer a issue as the Lakers stars are starting to
align, the only issue is timing. Do the Lakers have enough time to make a true
run at the NBA playoffs, with 26 games remaining in the 2012-2013 season? The
passing of Owner Dr. Jerry Buss gives the Lakers a sense of urgency to live up
to the legacy and tradition started by the late owner who quoted the reason he
bought the Lakers was to surpass the Boston Celtics. The day after his passing
the Lakers dismantled the Celtics in his honor and a NBA Championship in 2013
places the franchise at 17 Championships tying the Celtics. Dr. Buss will be truly missed.....
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