RealGM

As of right now we stand 5 games in the loss column ahead of Orlando and 6 in front of everyone else. With 21 games remaining we all but have the 2nd overall seed locked up. We would have to go 15-6 over the last stretch to let those teams in.. which is conceivable, but at the same time those teams would have to go 21-0 which won't happen.

So at this point basically we are just chasing the Cavs and we need to beat the Cavs by a game so at this point they would need to lose 2 more games then we do over the course of those 21 games. Not impossible for sure, but might be unlikely as well. They do have some tough games coming up, Boston twice, ATL twice, and Orlando again, but so do we...

I think we should try to keep pace, at least for the next week or so, but my question is after that if Cle hasn't lost a game or two and/or we have I think it may be time to start limiting minutes, primarily of Kobe, Pau, and Ron. I'd like to see a two week stretch where they are in the 25-30 range and then ramp back up the last week of the season. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him sit out the last few back to backs as well seeing as they are Sac and Minnesota and we should win those anyway even if we are still chasing Cle.

Thoughts?

I just don't see that happening. Especially when we haven't been playing great basketball. We still have a lot of kinks to work out and the Cavs are only a game and a half up. Until we're statistically eliminated from first, we go for it.

Call me an optimist, but I think the Lakers may step it up on these upcoming road trips!

No one has fewer losses on the road than the Lakers, with the Cavs, Celtics and lakers all at 10 losses...

The Lakers haven't really hit their stride all season long, so resting guys probably isn't going to happen. Kobe says his ankle is 100% and Ron-Ron has indicated that his feet are feeling much better as well (so rest may not be all that critical at this point). If we were up on Cleveland by a few games, and playing championship caliber ball, I would be all for sitting Kobe, Pau, Ron, and Fish down the stetch.

Its all about clicking as a team before the play-off starts. If anyone needs a week off to get healthy do it sooner rather than later so we are firing on all cylinders for the play-offs.

Stupid joke of the day: what is a team on the outside looking in playing for: the play-iffs ba da ch