For those who said no matter what the Lakers do, they can't change the odds of our pick.
They are only 6 losses behind the Nets.
Nets have 20 games left, with 7 possible wins against the Knicks, Magic, and Sixers who they play twice and the Suns once. Bulls and Pistons could drop a game also.
We know the Celtics (2 games) would never hurt their own odds
Lakers have 18 games remaining, with potential of 4 wins. between the Sixers, Suns, Kings, and
Timberwolves.
Last game against Warriors could be a spoiler if GS is resting players?
I think this might get closer then we all suspected.
As of right now:
Lakers: 19-45 -- 18 games left
Nets: 11-51 -- 20 games left
I commented on someone else's "chicken little" panic in another thread so let's see if repeating some common sense will help eliminate some panic.
The difference in losses is meaningless when comparing a race to the bottom. it's wins that matter because they're harder to come by. Even if the Lakers lost all 18 of their remaining games (let that sink in for a moment - 18 consecutive losses) the Nets would still have to win 8 games to just tie them. That's 8-12 to finish the season for a team that has only won 11 games out of 62. Every Laker win adds to those ridiculous odds of the Nets not finishing with the worst record.
Panicking over the Lakers is foolish and a waste of time. Nets will have the best odds going into the lottery. worry over whether that pick will end up number one after the lottery -- those are the odds to be more concerned about.
Like I said in my post, "I think it will be closer then we all suspected" Who's Panicking?
Who's Chicken Little? I never implied anything more then the Lakers could make it close.
Anyone with common sense can read that.
The reason I used losses to make my point is because this isn't your normal set of tank job circumstances. Its not really a race to the bottom. One team, the Nets (2-8 last ten games) are trying to win every game so the Celtics odds will be worse. Granted they really suck. The Lakers (1-9) are trying to lose on purpose to gain better odds.
Some of the teams the Nets play down the stretch could benefit by losing to the Nets, and help their own odds. Plus hurt the Celtics, its not that far fetched.
Yes, its almost mathematically impossible but not completely yet. That's was the point I was making.