New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Bold Western Conference Predictions for Disney

New Orleans Pelicans: Bold Western Conference Prediction #3

Prediction #3: The Lakers Fizzle

There will be more to this one later on, but the Los Angeles Lakers are in a prime position to disappoint in the eight game conclusion to the season.

I know betting against a fully rested LeBron James heading into the playoffs is about as dumb as it gets, but bear with me.

First off, the Lakers do not have a lot to play for in the final eight games. They are in first by 5.5 games over the Clippers and are unlikely to catch the Bucks for the overall best record.

Secondly, they are depleted. Both Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo will not be available for the rest of the season, and the Lakers weren’t that deep to begin with. They are now running out J.R. Smith, who is 33-years-old and hasn’t played for a year.

It will take them a few games to get going and they don’t have that luxury.

The Lakers play the Clippers, Raptors, Jazz, Thunder and Rockets in their first five games, so if it takes them a few games to gel, they could start off in a four or five game hole.

In the end, the Lakers have two of the best five players on Earth, their size is problematic for just about anyone and they have LeBron, so they’ll be ok, but I predict they will not win more than four games in the final eight.

LeBron has his All-NBA partner in Anthony Davis, but is anyone confident in Kyle Kuzma? Alex Caruso? KCP? Dion Waiters? This will be one of the most inexperienced teams LeBron has led into the playoffs and Lakers fans have to be a bit concerned.