After starting the season with only 2 wins in 12 games, the Lakers were at rock bottom. This season seemed to take the same direction as the previous one for the band of LeBron James, with a poorly constructed roster, a lack of collective play, and a non-existent defense. But then, when they were on the brink with a record of 25 wins and 31 losses, Rob Pelinka finally blew up the roster in February.
A poker move that turned out to be a masterstroke, since the “Purple & Gold” concluded the remaining 26 meetings with 18 wins for only 8 defeats. Result: the Lakers went from 13th to 7th place. Even better, they have the best record in the West since the trade deadline, and the second in the league behind the Bucks!
“We have put ourselves in a position that allows us to move forward. That’s all we asked for, to put ourselves in a position to move forward.” said LeBron James. “We obviously had a very, very slow start to the season. Now, compared to the position where we are today, we can be happy, but not satisfied”.
Wolves on the program from Tuesday
Not satisfied, because the serious things start now for Los Angeles. After securing 7th place in the West, Darvin Ham players will have to go through the “play-in” box to win their ticket to the playoffs. Their opponent is known, since it will be the Wolves, who snatched 8th place in favor of the Pelicans, during the final meeting of the regular season. A poster that the “King” does not take lightly.
“The play-in is a challenge against any team, and Minnesota will be difficult as well” thus launched LeBron James. “When you have guys like KAT and Anthony Edwards, they can both score 40 points against you. You have a very smart and solid point guard in Mike Conley, who’s been in a lot of playoff games. So we know what we are getting into”.
After having played 7 games over the last 12 days, the Lakers have chained a lot on this final sprint, in particular a “road trip” of five games. By validating this 7th place, they will have the luxury of playing at home against Minnesota. An advantage of which LeBron James is aware.
“It’s obviously different because usually, before the postseason, we have several days of preparation. There, we literally only have one day to prepare” pointed out LeBron James. “But you are kind of fixated on everything that needs to be done. For us, it’s a good thing not to have to travel. We have been traveling a lot lately. It’s good to be able to stay in Los Angeles, but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. We have to stay alert and prepare for the game.”.
Same story on the side of Darvin Ham. With a season where they have experienced many injuries, especially to their major players, the Lakers want to be vigilant with the health of their players.
“It’s about being efficient in the use of our rest days. We have to make sure that the players receive the proper treatment by Tuesday.” explained the coach. “But they are aware of it. The stakes are high and often I don’t want to talk about pressure, but the fact that guys know what’s at stake can weigh on them a bit. But we are here, we know what awaits us”.
The Lakers will receive the Wolves, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00). The winner will win their ticket to the playoffs, and will face the Grizzlies in the first round. As for the loser, he will benefit from a second chance on Friday, with the reception of the winner of the meeting between the Pelicans and the Thunder.
| LeBron James | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2003-04 | KEY | 79 | 40 | 41.7 | 29.0 | 75.4 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 20.9 |
| 2004-05 | KEY | 80 | 42 | 47.2 | 35.1 | 75.0 | 1.4 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 27.2 |
| 2005-06 | KEY | 79 | 43 | 48.0 | 33.5 | 73.8 | 1.0 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 31.4 |
| 2006-07 | KEY | 78 | 41 | 47.6 | 31.9 | 69.8 | 1.1 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 27.3 |
| 2007-08 | KEY | 75 | 40 | 48.4 | 31.5 | 71.2 | 1.8 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 30.0 |
| 2008-09 ★ | KEY | 81 | 38 | 48.9 | 34.4 | 78.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 28.4 |
| 2009-10 ★ | KEY | 76 | 39 | 50.3 | 33.3 | 76.7 | 0.9 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 29.7 |
| 2010-11 | MIA | 79 | 39 | 51.1 | 33.0 | 75.9 | 1.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 26.7 |
| 2011-12 ★ | MIA | 62 | 38 | 53.1 | 36.2 | 77.1 | 1.5 | 6.4 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 27.2 |
| 2012-13 ★ | MIA | 76 | 38 | 56.5 | 40.6 | 75.3 | 1.3 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.8 |
| 2013-14 | MIA | 77 | 38 | 56.7 | 37.9 | 75.0 | 1.1 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 27.1 |
| 2014-15 | KEY | 69 | 36 | 48.8 | 35.4 | 71.0 | 0.7 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 25.3 |
| 2015-16 | KEY | 76 | 36 | 52.0 | 30.9 | 73.1 | 1.5 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 25.3 |
| 2016-17 | KEY | 74 | 38 | 54.8 | 36.3 | 67.4 | 1.3 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 26.4 |
| 2017-18 | KEY | 82 | 37 | 54.2 | 36.7 | 73.1 | 1.2 | 7.5 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 27.5 |
| 2018-19 | ALL | 55 | 35 | 51.0 | 33.9 | 66.5 | 1.0 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 27.4 |
| 2019-20 | ALL | 67 | 35 | 49.3 | 34.8 | 69.3 | 1.0 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 25.3 |
| 2020-21 | ALL | 45 | 33 | 51.3 | 36.5 | 69.8 | 0.6 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 25.0 |
| 2021-22 | ALL | 56 | 37 | 52.4 | 35.9 | 75.6 | 1.1 | 7.1 | 8.2 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 30.3 |
| 2022-23 | ALL | 54 | 36 | 49.9 | 31.1 | 76.6 | 1.2 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 6.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 28.8 |
| Total | 1420 | 38 | 50.5 | 34.4 | 73.5 | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 7.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 27.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
