The Optimistic Thread! (TRD's FREEDOM THREAD!)

^ Houston and Denver both lost and Portland is in a narrow game with Cleveland right now.

The reason I'm still optimistic about the playoffs is because the teams ahead of us aren't very good. I'm not optimistic about much once we get there, but getting there for sure is still attainable. The only teams in the West that are head and shoulders above us right now are Oklahoma and the Clippers. We've been in two close games with San Antonio and that's WITHOUT major pieces and I think honestly that we're close to the same level as Memphis if we play the way we've been playing, even missing 19 million dollars on the court.

i still honestly feel like this team will gel over the rest of the season and make the playoffs, especially with the right roster moves (i.e. pau gtfo)

Boom. Portland lost. A win against Miami tomorrow means we're 2 games behind.

It's a slim glimmer of light/hope, but, at least we can see it now.

We are a radically different team when we play defense. We go from playoff bubble to championship contenders instantly when we are playing lockdown, smart, energetic defense all game long.

well i don t know how all the fans here in lakerland are so pessimistic about the playoffs it s still a long way to go . we are in mid january . i know the margin for errors is very slim right now but i think we will make the playoffs. yeah we played bad for so long so far but what i ve seen in the last 2 games i really liked. i still say we make the playoffs. it is a tall order right now and hard to do but we will make it . the team seems to come together a little bit and d12 starts to look like the player we want to see here. even if we loose against miami tonight which i don t hope . we are still in it. i say the team will find his identity and go on a winning streak this month , i hope it has started right now after these 2 wins vs cavs and bucks .and like i said even with a loss against miami which i would hate if that would be come reality- it s not over or done. the team espicially the starting 5 is to good to not make the playoffs-hope that we maybe can make a trade or get some players for our weak [Swearing is not permitted at Clublakers. You must edit this post prior to submitting.] bench . but all in all i think we will make the playoffs maybe some roster tweaks here and there and we are good to go. so lets go lakers

Lakers are favored by 2.5 points against Heat.

teams 6-8 keep losing so we're getting there.

urge to kill... fading

DarthRekal wrote:urge to kill... fading

Excellent.

Not trying to hope for an injury...but...Steph Curry has been ruled out indefinitely now instead of day to day because of the SAME ankle injury he has had the past year..if GS keeps sliding...we might catch up?

thisbjgz wrote:Not trying to hope for an injury...but...Steph Curry has been ruled out indefinitely now instead of day to day because of the SAME ankle injury he has had the past year..if GS keeps sliding...we might catch up?

GSW is the one team I wasn't worried about at all they haven't been this position before they'd eventually start sliding. I still have a glimmer of hope we can maybe get back up to the 4 spot, Houston and Memphis are in the middle of a funk too

As long as we get into the playoffs healthy, teams will have a hard time beating us. I dont see our vets playing with the same energy they are playing with now. Hopefully Im right.

thisbjgz wrote:Not trying to hope for an injury...but...Steph Curry has been ruled out indefinitely now instead of day to day because of the SAME ankle injury he has had the past year..if GS keeps sliding...we might catch up?

long ways to go for that....but Por/Den/Utah/Hou are more reachable.

I'm not upset if we lose. Can't get near LeBron, can't get near Wade, can't get near Joel Anthony... yet, you can get pushed and shoved all possession long, and get climbed on to get blocked with no call?

Such a horribly one-sided officiated game, almost laughable. Oh well, whatever, guess we'll try to beat everyone else.

we were very much in this game for 46 minutes, even with our horrendous turnovers, kobe starting the game cold as ice, and joey crawford officiating.

I always pick the best times to study instead of watching. Had a feeling this one would be a heart breaker so I prioritized and at the same time avoided any anger from losing

This was a good measuring stick for the team. They still have work to do but this was a good effort. If we were just a little more athletic ...

Like I said before..... This team has found its footing. We are looking better and Mike D seems to have finally begun to put players where they need to be. The Heat were gifted this game by the officiating plain and simple. Some big shots by the Heat at the end of the game sealed the deal added with some bonehead plays by us.

I am happy with what I saw and what we are making the playoff run happen.

I'm happy we were in this game.. but i'm still pissed cuz i hate lebron and wade

Hopefully after the all-star break and maybe a blockbuster trade we go on a run that a cheesy espn 30 for 30 will be made on. Like breaking the win streak record or something lol. What i can dream.

puffyusaf#2 wrote:Like I said before..... This team has found its footing. We are looking better and Mike B seems to have finally begun to put players where they need to be. The Heat were gifted this game by the officiating plain and simple. Some big shots by the Heat at the end of the game sealed the deal added with some bonehead plays by us.

I am happy with what I saw and what we are making the playoff run happen.

This. We're headed in the right direction. If Mitch does anything at all at the deadline, we'll be strong.

We play hard like this every game, we will be back in the hunt.

We play hard like this every game, we will be back in the hunt.

Past three games have given me hope that we can put together a good run to make it to the playoffs. I have no hopes beyond that.

puffyusaf#2 wrote:Like I said before..... This team has found its footing. We are looking better and Mike B seems to have finally begun to put players where they need to be. The Heat were gifted this game by the officiating plain and simple. Some big shots by the Heat at the end of the game sealed the deal added with some bonehead plays by us.

I am happy with what I saw and what we are making the playoff run happen.

Oh, god, not THAT name!