“We’re a good team. No matter what happens in the regular season, if we get into the playoffs, we’re a good team. And I still believe that.”
-Anthony Davis
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Early SZN Outlook- Pt. 5 🏁
52/82 ✔
Last 10 W-L Record: 4-6 ⬇️
Current Trend- 🛑
Nation, a word please:
As the cards spill over into February and take hold of the SZNs realities across the landscape of the league, our Lakers find themselves in quite a spot- the 9th seed of clubs in the West. Hardly a guaranteed book walking into late April and just barely of note to even be taken into consideration for playoff positioning let alone contention. So why still the optimism Nation? Do you mirror Anthony’s sentiments of upholding a fair expectation for this unit as simply being a viable threat should the playoffs be in the cards, surviving the new NBA’s play-in? Or does this movie look quite familiar to the one we all saw most recently where the Lakers played the starring role in crash coursing a 1st round early exit from lack of team chemistry and untimely injuries; to meet a team gelling with continuity and consistency prime for the moment. A Phoenix sequel coming soon to an arena near you? Luck of the draw irony? Perhaps. But that being said lets assess this team’s cards from a macro-prospective heading into the All-Star Break. And with less than 30 games left see what strategies Rob King Frank and the gang hold in their collective hand for the season’s stretch run heading into spring.
Deck=
Big Joker- ♠️🃏
LeBron James still possesses peak performance capabilities. Gone may be the days of said peak exerting its reign as the King’s superpowers, yes we are bearing witness to the mortality of an invincible. Yet and still, Mr. James is still the best spade of any hand and a guaranteed draw to get you there. The ‘there’ in reference has certainly altered in expectation of recent years however the magnified ‘if’ alongside it now suggest- if he’s there and all things are even, are we so sure any team in the West can trump the biggest face card in the deck without asterisk?
Baby Joker- ♠️🃏
Anthony Davis has returned to the Laker line-up with re-invigorated passion and you love to see it. AD can be found lately standing tall and talented in the paint manning the middle on both ends and playing to his ability threshold which has to induce confidence into the organization top to bottom that the Anthony Davis we all know exist as a dominant force capable of pairing with LeBron James in tandem as the best 1-2 punch known to man, is the force we will see going into battle when it matters most. At his best, there isn’t a card more valuable outside of LBJ than a sense of urgency Anthony Davis. Since his return, so far so good.
Deuce of Spades- 🔑
Deuce is wild. And of high authority is the wildcard itself in this example: Rob. Mr. Pelinka ranks high in the version of this deck of possibilities his team’s trajectory finds itself. So what all can he do? 1. He could cut a suit. And no not the well-tailored clothe of choice for business attire, but rather a little roster configuration could swing some momentum in the teams favor. 2. Throw off. Trust the work and the partnership forged with LBJ & AD as the fate of this season’s outcome will be collecting the books into what you’ve already built. Lastly 3. Renege! I’m kidding...reneging in this analogy may as well be tanking and punting on the season as an act of generosity towards the New Orleans Pelicans. I think not…whatever Rob Pelinka so chooses could determine an ultimate win or loss for this organization one way or the other. Tough act.
Ace of Spades- 🍾
Champagne showers in June hosted by DJ Giannis and Big Face Coffee Brand. Should the Lakers survive the gauntlet of the West tourney only to find themselves on Miami Beach or Fear the Deer Forum for a history defining Gm 7, it would be very cool of them to bring out a couple gold bottles for celebratory purposes. A personnel equivalent- where the f#4%k is Kendrick Nunn? It would be cool of him to pop out for these final 20+ games & vibe for chemistry purposes.
King of Diamonds- ♦️
Speaking of Miami Beach…what do you call the diamond in the glitz of LA going through a rough patch at the Crypt who could be classified in the “tweening” sphere as a young prospect with potential already on a second contract and probably would do better on a personal achievement note with a fresh start elsewhere but who’s also aware the greener pastures may be in his own backyard as the youngest member of an aging roster? I call that a Horton-Tucker on the rocks. Laker Nation will have a double. Cause either you like to drink or like to be led to it. THT has you covered. Flashes of brilliance are swiftly followed up with rocky yet steady performances of growing pains as trade whispers begin to tremble through the halls of the Crypt; we have to remind ourselves the young man isn’t quite an ace just yet however the King within his skillset could one day soon be knighted and thus ignited with time as the 3rd year 21 years of age Talen could serve as the talisman for warding off those 1st round exit evils come April. That or the Monk. Speaking of, perfect example of a 23 year old fifth season Ace. It happens as we know well. Let the youth grow and shine into splendored worth.
Jack of Hearts- 💜💛
Will the league as a whole let this jack walk for the sake of vested Laker Nation fans worldwide with their heart in it night after night? The jack of hearts being things that probably shouldn’t work out but somehow slip through the cracks and play out the hand in our Lakers favor. In other words, a book unaccounted for at bidding, sounds like a Shams bomb midday Feb.10th trade. I could think of a few…or one, Philadelphia…left field or 6’10 lefty. Almost no one you may venture toward for prospective on the NBA trade deadline scuttlebutt will suggest such a thing as remotely feasible. But what if it is and does? I guess we’ll see how the cards are dealt over the coming months. For now, I say- cue Ye ft. Syleena Johnson
let’s play 52 pick-up.
☞
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TwoCent
1/1