And yet, Coach Phil Jackson offered surprisingly strong guidance on what he expected from the Lakers over the final 30 regular-season games.
"I think probably we have to win 25 games," he said Monday. "I think that's probably what a team is going to have to do to win it outright [in the West], somewhere between 20 and 25."
Nothing like shooting for the sky -- 25 would give them a 60-win season.
What do you guys think we'll get? We have a fairly easy schedule to go with the exception of a 3 or 4 game span. 17 home games v 13 road games to go.
I think it all depends on the health of the team. If Drew and Ariza come back, and Kobe manages to stay out of surgery on his hand, the skies the limit with this team. Its exciting!
We should get off to a Great start why! because Pau Gasol has not played a laker home game yet. This should be the hype that gets us off to a Good start.
And let me say we must beat the Suns this week it would be special considering now they have Shaq and its a road game for us.
I'm not going to predict how many games we will win because, our health is still unpredictable. Damn Phil must feel great about our TEAM to predict 60 wins would be needed to win the conf. Nice...
playing at the rate/% they have phils not asking them to do something impossible, he's asking them to play at the same rate of wins to losses they have all season... just a little challenge to make sure they don't let off the gas...
I think they should easily be able to win another 21. Which would be 55 wins right? That should give them a nice spot in the playoffs. 60 wins would give them first or second which would be great. But fourth of fifth is ok as well.
Im going to say 57 wins. That seems like what its going to be. That of course depends on Kobe's play and if he is able to play the way he usually does.
Yeah I think this is something we all know this Laker team is capable of if healthy...the significance though is that Phil is setting this standard for the team...he's normally a little more reserved about projections like this...I think it shows how much he really feels this team is ready for a good push.
The game against Phoenix is a MUST win...its one of those games that can deflate all the momentum and optimism the team is going on right now and can hand over the momentum to Phoenix. Of course the opposite is the same if we win...cements us as legit contenders and spoils Shaq's debut...Definitely a big "statement" game.
I'm not too worred about the final record or home court at this point. The Lakers just nned to make the playoffs healthy. I'm more worried about Kobe's finger, Pau's back, and Bynums knee. We need them all healthy as can be come playoff time.
I think they should easily be able to win another 21. Which would be 55 wins right? That should give them a nice spot in the playoffs. 60 wins would give them first or second which would be great. But fourth of fifth is ok as well.
c'mon
with kobe,gasol,drew,odom in one team our target is 1-3 spots.
Im going to say 57 wins. That seems like what its going to be. That of course depends on Kobe's play and if he is able to play the way he usually does.
Who knows, we might be able to win 64 .
Lakerfreak i was about to post the same thoughts 57 wins for the year. I had a dream
Phil wants 55-60 wins
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