The Lakers Are Entering Their Make-Or-Break Period

For years, The Lakers have been hailed as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, let alone within the NBA. Having seen players like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Magic Johnson, it might be little surprise. Still, things haven’t been going entirely to plan for the team throughout 2022, and The Lakers are entering their make-or-break period.

Even coach Darvin Ham’s recent press conference was a far cry from the somber affair that so many have heard in recent months, thanks to weeks of defeats and a lack of team spirit. While things have seemingly turned around for now, only time will tell if The Lakers will keep up the momentum and come out the other side.

Recent defeats have seen a lack of team spirit

Having ten losses in the 2022-23 season isn’t something most teams want hanging over their head, let alone The Lakers. The team has constantly struggled to get off the starting line in recent months, and it appears it’s starting to take a toll on the team’s spirit. That was the case on November 11, when The Lakers, yet again, lost to the Sacramento Kings, a move that apparently caused quite the upset in the locker room. It can be tough to get going at the best of times, let alone when things really aren’t going a team’s way. 

Several of the upcoming games could lead to victory for The Lakers

Just because things haven’t been looking good for the Lakers doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. For one, the team finally beat the Brooklyn Nets and broke their curse. Plus, they have plenty of upcoming games that could turn things around once and for all. Their next six games should see them come out the other side victorious, as The Lakers are set to take on the San Antonio Spurs, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, and the Phoenix Suns. The best bit? This comes after The Lakers get a four-day break to recover and get their heads back in the game. Even winning four or five of these games could be all the team needs to claw things back for the 2022-23 season.

The Lakers are facing a difficult December

Having so many losses in a row means The Lakers are currently sitting below .500. The twist? If they can take home all six wins, they will be just one game away from making the .500 for the season. This could be all The Lakers need to turn things around. Then again, a problematic December coming up for the team means the Lakers are entering their make-or-break period. If they don’t win the six games on the roster for now, there’s a good chance the team has absolutely no hope of going anywhere this season. 

The Lakers could find themselves in a major trade following some wins

We were told not to expect a major trade within The Lakers until Thanksgiving. The problem? That’s just around the corner, and right now, there aren’t too many incentives to trade to or with the team. That doesn’t mean that all hope is lost, as a trade for the Indiana Pacer package of Buddy Hield and Myles Turner is still allegedly on the cards. The pair have already showcased their incredible skills on the court this season and might not be tempted to leave that behind, but word on the court is that things could still be looking good for a trade at some point this season.

The Lakers are entering their make-or-break period, and it seems this could be the team’s final chance to turn things around for the 2022-23 season. If they’re successful, they can point and laugh at those who once doubted their ability. The alternative? Things might get a lot tenser in the locker room than they are right now.