Entering the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers are at 33-21, just one and a half games behind the three-seeded Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference. With their three best players all undergoing extended absences over the first half of the season, it is a miracle they’ve maintained a solid record for as long as they have.
But there still seems to be a clear gap between them and the top of the Western Conference. However, at the All-Star weekend, the team’s best player, Luka Dončić, was asked about their chances at making a deep run, potentially including an NBA championship. And his focus was clear as day.
Luka Dončić Breaks Down Lakers’ Chances
The Lakers’ record, though, is masking many of the team’s current shortcomings. Ranking in the bottom 10 of the league in defensive rating, they aren’t making up for it on the other end either, sitting outside the top 10 in offensive rating.
But thanks to an incredible display in the clutch regularly, they have been able to walk away with more wins than losses, allowing them to post a respectable record in the vaunted Western Conference.
Still, teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs are a ways away, with incredibly deep rosters that give them a puncher’s chance on any given night. But the experience factor for the Lakers, which could come in handy during the playoffs, is a hard one to ignore.
Dončić and LeBron James are two of the more experienced players on the Western side of the bracket when it comes to postseason basketball. And, given their current success, the Slovenian superstar isn’t willing to give anybody an inch.
Speaking at the All-Star break about his team’s chances, the five-time All-NBA first-team selection was adamant about the Lakers as a viable postseason contender. “Obviously, we’re trying to win the championship. I think we can do it. We have the team for it.”
He did acknowledge the toll that the injuries have taken on the roster and the uphill battle they now face over the second half of the season. But he remained confident about LA’s chances moving forward, particularly with health on their side.
“We had a lot of injuries. Me, Bron, AR, everybody has been out some time. So now coming back from All-Star, I think everybody’s healthy, so that’ll be a good test for us.” Despite a ton of rumors, Los Angeles was relatively quiet at the trade deadline, only making a minor move to bring in Luke Kennard.
So the team is likely set for the stretch run of the season before the playoffs kick in. However, it seems clear that the locker room firmly believes in their chances.