Just how bleak to things look? Well, according to ESPN's summer standings forecast, the Lake Show will stumble its way to a 30-52 record and a 12th-place finish in the West. Considering the cynical commentary ESPN included from two example tweeters, a lot will have to go L.A.'s way just to reach that unsatisfying result.
That popular point of view makes a number of assumptions about the Laker personnel—hobbled, raw or otherwise flawed. But with a full offseason's worth of healing and a regime change from Mike D'Antoni to new head coach Byron Scott, recent performance might not be a representative point of judgment for how these guys will play next season.
The odds are stacked against Kobe Bryant's crew making a playoff run in one of his final campaigns, but their talent and experience levels are being underrated. Even if greatness is too much to predict, they have a better chance at respectability than people are saying.
Begin Slideshow
...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
