Amid doubts of the ability of the Los Angeles Lakers to qualify for the playoffs, general manager Rob Pelinka believes that his team will make it into the postseason and would make a very dangerous opponent.
Per Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, Pelinka remained optimistic despite the Lakers' subpar record of 28-27 — 10th place in the competitive Western Conference. For Pelinka, the Lakers have the potential to compete with playoff contenders:
Talked with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who was optimistic about Lakers’ chances going forward.
If Lakers make the playoffs, “I wouldn’t want to (play) us in any seven-game matchup, that’s for sure,” Pelinka said.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 8, 2019
Their acquisition of James over the summer was a clear sign that the Lakers want to win now. Yet they also acknowledged the fact that given their young crop of players, it may take one full season for them to develop alongside James.
While their long-term goal is to win multiple championships, their realistic goal this season is to qualify for the playoffs. The beginning of the season looked good. The team strung some winning streaks together. Also, they were able to beat teams that they should be able to defeat and even held their own against the tougher opponents.
But injuries, especially the groin strain suffered by James on Christmas, put their momentum to a grinding halt. The team looked confused without their best player and it reflected in their dwindling record. On top of which, injuries to Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Rajon Rondo created one big void within the roster.
Now, midway into the season, the question everyone's asking: can the Lakers even make the playoffs this year? Pelinka believes so. Hopefully, though, his squad also possesses the same exact confidence that he exudes.
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