Kobe guarantees playoffs for Lakers.

[Chamillitary Click]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/226286/Kobe-Guarantees-Lakers-Will-Make-Playoffs

Kobe Bryant thinks the Los Angeles Lakers will finish the second half of the season strong and qualify for the postseason.

“It's not a question of if we make the playoffs,” Bryant said after a 1-for-8 shooting night against Phoenix on Feb. 12. “We will. And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone -- Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver ... whoever. I have zero nervousness about that.”

The Lakers are 3.5 games out of the final spot in the Western Conference, with a tough schedule the rest of the way.

Bryant said there is a strong belief in the Lakers’ locker room that the playoffs are not out of reach.

“I'm not talking about just me,” he said. “Us as a group. We will make the playoffs. And we will compete. And part of the reason I have that confidence is the Miami game [a 107-97 loss in Miami on Feb. 10]. We had control of the game. That was no fluke. We were playing very, very well. We were reading the defense, making the extra pass. OK, they have two great players [LeBron James and Dwayne Wade] who scored eight straight buckets and took control of the game. But we were right there. We can do it."

Via Jack McCallum/Sports Illustrated

[M Dogg™]

It's not unheard of to make up 3 games and make the playoffs this far out. I am not worried about that. The playoffs on the other hand I am worried about. I don't think the Lakers can beat the Clippers, and if the Clippers finish with the first seed it could be very bad.

[Hack Wilson - real]

when they make the playoffs they'll be swept

[Remedy360]

I'd be really surprised if they didn't make it. Just sucks for them that they'd have to play the Blunder, Clippers, Spurs or whoever the fuck is on top right off the bat.

[Chamillitary Click]

^Honestly though, for some reason I never understood that logic. I'd rather get the Thunder first and out of the way instead of having to run into them later. Or not that I'd "rather" get them first, but that it doesn't really make a difference lol.

I guess the other way to look at it is that you hope to be the 5 seed, play the 4 and 6,7,8 upsets 1,2,3 lol.

[Hack Wilson - real]

aint no way the thunder lose to the Fake Show

[Sccit]

I'd be really surprised if they didn't make it. Just sucks for them that they'd have to play the Blunder, Clippers, Spurs or whoever the fuck is on top right off the bat.

spurs in the first round would be great

[LooN3y]

aint nobody trying to face the lakers in the 1st round.


too much risk, our team has absolutely nothing to lose and no expectations (realistically)

[Hack Wilson - real]

LOL i think everyone wants to face them, they are a mess and an old slow team


kevin durant would eat them for breakfast

[Sccit]

LOL i think everyone wants to face them, they are a mess and an old slow team


kevin durant would eat them for breakfast

kevin durant is PRAYING he LA dont get that 8th seed

[Hack Wilson - real]

Durant and Westbrook would sweep the lakers

[Sccit]

Durant and Westbrook would sweep the lakers

not if gasol comes back

[Remedy360]

^ How much would you switch the rotation? Seems like they've been doing way better with Earl Clark starting at the 4.

[Sccit]

^ How much would you switch the rotation? Seems like they've been doing way better with Earl Clark starting at the 4.

Gasol off the bench in Odom's old 6th man role