ESPN.com · Feb 2, 2019
Projecting the Lakers' dire playoff chances
LeBron James is back, and he has 30 games to help the Los Angeles Lakers sneak into the postseason. Despite a crucial win against the LA Clippers on Thursday, the Lakers would miss the cut if the season ended today.
James hasn't missed the playoffs since George W. Bush was president. It seems crazy that we are even discussing the fact that he might not be playing in late April. But if the past week has taught us anything, it's that the NBA is a crazy place right now.
The Lakers (27-25) are just one game out of the No. 8 spot in the stacked Western Conference, but there are three reasons to legitimately doubt their ability to pull this off.
1. Three other teams are fighting for that final spot.
