Jan. could be a critical and difficult month for the Lakers

[leeprettyp]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-january-lakers-20140817-story.html

Eric Pincus article in the LA TIMES

The Lakers may be able to hover around .500 through November and December. The first month of the season will be a challenge, but a road-heavy December could be manageable for the Lakers

The Lakers open up 2015 with a pair of home games, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies (Jan. 2) and Indiana Pacers (Jan. 4).

After the Pacers, the Lakers fly up to Portland to take on the Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers typically have a difficult time winning in Portland, even when well rested.

The Lakers' next five games are at Staples Center, starting on the "road" on Jan. 7 at the Clippers, followed by the Orlando Magic (Jan. 9), Trail Blazers (Jan. 11), Heat (Jan. 13) and Cleveland Cavaliers (Jan. 15).

Next up is a four-game trip, starting in Utah on the second night of a back-to-back (Jan. 16). The Lakers then travel to the Phoenix Suns to play their Pacific Division rival for a fourth and final time this season. (Jan. 19).

The road trip wraps up with stops in New Orleans (Jan. 21) and San Antonio (Jan. 23). The Lakers finish the month with three home games, hosting the Houston Rockets (Jan. 25), Washington Wizards (Jan. 27) and Chicago Bulls (Jan. 29).

This will be a critical month for any chance of making the playoffs this next season. But on the bright side 9 of these 15 games are at home for the month of January. Probably the 2nd most important part of our season besides the first 10 games to open up the 2015 season.

Thoughts fellas

[Tiesto_Lakers]

Every month might be difficult.

[semi-sentient]

October and November are the most critical months, especially since we'll start the season with a healthy roster. A poor start could really put our playoff hopes in jeopardy, especially if we start dealing with injury issues a few months into the season which turns a relatively easy schedule into a more challenging one.

It's going to be a tough season where everything has to fall into place, and we can ill afford another injury plagued season.

[Slava]

Our first 16 games could pretty much decide our season. If we stay around .500, we are headed for about 10th seed with an outside chance at 8th, we lose 10 games, we might even get a chance to keep our pick.

[ArC_man]

October and November are the most critical months, especially since we'll start the season with a healthy roster. A poor start could really put our playoff hopes in jeopardy, especially if we start dealing with injury issues a few months into the season which turns a relatively easy schedule into a more challenging one.

It's going to be a tough season where everything has to fall into place, and we can ill afford another injury plagued season.

Yep, I think getting off to a good start will be critical to the morale. Last year we started off .500 despite having a garbage team and a relatively tough schedule (although I believe this year's schedule might be harder at the beginning). I think the goal should be to be above .500 after the 1st 2 months.

[Marionettetc]

It's a decent article, but I think every month will be a critical one. Returning Kobe plus a whole roster of unknowns? I need to see at least a month of games to even be worried about considering the playoffs.