However, that trend may change this Thursday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a situation that has been unfamiliar to them since the day that Pau Gasol arrived.
They are now looking up at other teams in the Western Conference standings—2.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks and 8.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs.
A cloud of trade speculation is now hanging over the Lakers and with each loss, that cloud grew bigger and bigger.
There certainly is cause for concern—the Lakers’ play has been mediocre, despite playing the third easiest schedule in the league so far.
Now, this organization has all of a sudden found itself at a crossroads.
Does a trade need to be made to re-energize this team? Or is it better to stand pat and not risk team chemistry?
Kupchak appears intent on keeping this team together.
As the Lakers’ GM takes a step back and evaluates what’s out there on the market—Kupchak will come to the realization that the Lakers roster that has the best chance to win this year’s title is the one standing right before him.
That’s right.
The same Laker team that has recorded a 2-6 record against the likes of Dallas, Chicago, San Antonio, Boston and Miami.
The same Laker team that got thrown down a flight of stairs by the Bobcats last Monday and followed it up with a loss to the lowly Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
This is a team that has admitted on more than one occasion that they lack focus from game to game.
Even Bryant has been caught with the “Is it the playoffs yet?” expression on his face from time to time this season.
It is no secret that the Lakers have been underwhelming thi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
