With 15 days of games left in the NBA season the race for the final playoffs push is getting heated up especially in the western conference. Although seeds 1-7 may be already given and may endure small changes the west 8th spot is still wide open. The Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks are still in contention for the last playoff spot. The Jazz holds a ½ game lead over the Lakers and 1 and ½ over the Mavericks.
The Lakers are trying to make that last playoff push trying to avoid having an even horrible season as they are already having. Coming into the 2012-2013 season the NBA had high hope for the Lakers especially since they acquired Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic and Steve Nash from free agency. With that acquisition the Lakers was front runner for winning the western conference and possibly going to NBA finals for the ideal match up which would include the Lakers vs. the Heat but mainly Kobe vs. LeBron.
But after a rough start to the season and battling injuries, the Lakers are actually starting to play basketball the way some expected. But, can it possibly be too late? Looking at the playoff picture they are not in the playoffs if the playoffs started to today because the Jazz has that last spot. Lately the Utah Jazz has been playing great basketball winning 5 straight games. Besides worrying about the Jazz, the Lakers have the Mavericks to worry about as well because they are finally playing the game the way they supposed to be playing winning 6 out of their last 10. However, the Lakers are the more veteran team, more playoff experience and have Kobe who is showing no signs of slowing down. So don’t count the Lakers out just yet, especially because Kobe promised that they would be in the playoffs and we just have to take one of the greatest players by his own words.
If the Lakers do not get in the playoffs this season would be a disaster, not only that it can mean a possibility of lose Dwight Howard to free agency comes off season. These last two weeks would be a long ride for the Lakers, Jazz, and Mavericks. Which team would come out on top? Does the Jazz have what it takes to finish the season strong? Will Dirk and the Mavericks top off a great post season run? Will Kobe and Lakers not make the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-2005 seasons? Two weeks left in the season and only time will tell!
