One of either the Lakers or Warriors will be eliminated in the first play in game.

[FultzNationRISE]

Both could end up missing the playoffs, but one of them is guaranteed to be eliminated right on the first days of play-ins, as the current standings make it very likely theyll face each other in the 9-10 spot.

What do you do if youre the team that loses? What do you do if youre either of these teams and dont even make the playoffs? Neither has any reason to see this year as a fluke and presume to be contenders next year. Obviously if you make a conference final you can say ok we’re close we’ll try it again next year. But one of these teams is guaranteed to finish 10th in the conference.

Whats the move for either or both of these teams if they miss the playoffs? Will they openly run another year on the treadmill just to keep selling tickets to see Lebron and Steph? Cuz neither of these teams is going “up.” And neither has the assets to either rebuild for the future or add another allstar.

Like I dont see it making sense for Lebron or Curry to be back in these uniforms if they dont make the playoffs this year. It would basically just be to tour around as a traveling attraction like Kobe did at the end, they wouldnt be competing for anything. Do you see them going that route? Steph I probably could, Lebron not so much.

Your thoughts?

[AussieSteve]

Lakers will finish the season 10-3.

They'll end up in 7th.

[RRR3]

Lakers will finish the season 10-3.

They'll end up in 7th.

[BarberSchool]

Lakers will finish the season 10-3.

They'll end up in 7th.

False.

[Xiao Yao You]

go Steph!

[Airupthere]

Looking at the remaining schedule my guess is

6th Kings
7th Mavs
8th Lakers
9th Suns
10th Warriors

If anything it can be the Suns and Warriors

[FKAri]

**** off with these dinosaurs. We DONE with Bron and Steph. BIG trash!

[Manny98]

Lakers will finish the season 10-3.

They'll end up in 7th.

I can see the Suns dropping some games

Given the urgency LeBron has to get into playoff mode early, wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers finish 11-2 and grab the 8th seed

[tpols]

Shit the Rockets are on both their heels.

It's kinda wack though. I'd much rather watch the Lakers or Warriors than the Kings or Pelicans.

[ImKobe]

Lakers will finish the season 10-3.

They'll end up in 7th.

They're lucky to finish 8 -5 in that stretch with how they've played this season tbh. 8 of the 13 games are on the road and they've struggled in road games all year.

[Airupthere]

Suns remaining 14 games

Denver
Thunder
Clippers 2x
Wolves 2x
Pelicans 2x
Kings
Cavs
Sixers

These are the only really easy ones:
Spurs 2x
Hawks

[Duffy Pratt]

The amazing thing about the West this year is that no team from 1-10 can afford to coast.

1-3 are within a game of each other for home court throughout the West.

4-5 are within a game for home court in first round.

6-8 are within a game for being in the play-off or play-in.

And the Lakers and Warriors both have a slight chance of getting out of the bottom, but need, at the very least to get home court for the first play-in game.

With that much incentive for every good team, I think it’s absurd to predict 10-3 or 11-2 for the Lakers. The best chance for either of them to bump to the 8th spot is if the Suns crater, which is possible given how crushingly difficult their remaining schedule is.

By contrast, the East only has interest at 5-6, and 6-8, and it’s pretty limited interest at that. The Celtics are really going to have to screw the pooch to not make it to the finals.

[Airupthere]

Suns remaining 14 games

Denver
Thunder
Clippers 2x
Wolves 2x
Pelicans 2x
Kings
Cavs
Sixers

These are the only really easy ones:
Spurs 2x
Hawks

Here are the Lakers' remaining 13 games. I think the Warriors have much less chance of catching up and snatching a playoff spot than the Lakers.

Bucks
Wolves
Pelicans
Pacers 2x
Cavs
Warriors

Grizzlies 2x
Sixers

Bonus easy games:
Nets
Raptors
Wizards

[dankok8]

Don't think the Suns' schedule is nearly as daunting as it looks. A lot of the top seeds will rest the last few games.

Anything can happen really.

[Duffy Pratt]

Don't think the Suns' schedule is nearly as daunting as it looks. A lot of the top seeds will rest the last few games.

Anything can happen really.

Will they rest if it means dropping from 1 to 3?