THE battle for eighth seed in the Western Conference looks to be going down the wire, never mind that those angling for it will subsequently face the prospect of a one-and-done appearance in the playoffs. On paper, it’s a three-way race between the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers, but the latter’s trade-deadline move sending erstwhile top scorer Tobias Harris packing for a couple of first-round picks telegraphs their preference to head to the lottery instead. They’re building for the future, which means they would rather miss the postseason and thereby keep a draft choice that would otherwise be going to the Celtics based on terms of a previous deal.
Between the two remaining contenders, the Kings appear to have the upper hand. First, they boast of a youth movement not just excited by the thought of extending the season, but backstopped by a head coach in David Joerger out to prove his worth. Second, they enjoy the full support of top management bent on rewarding long-suffering followers who haven’t experienced going beyond the regular season in 13 years. How bent? Consider that they took in vital cog Harrison Barnes and reserve Alec Burks after they learned of Harris’ change of address. If nothing else, it’s as clear an indication as any of their intent to secure a playoff berth.
The Lakers, meanwhile, stand to suffer from an extremely taxing post-All-Star-break schedule. Equally noteworthy is the fact that they’re in disarray in light of the failure of their front office to pry future Hall of Famer Anthony Davis from the Pelicans prior to the trade deadline. The go-for-broke stance that had everybody not named LeBron James available for the taking shook the purple and gold’s esprit de corps and makes the going tough for them moving forward. They have an ace in the hole, though, and a valuable one: the aforesaid James, who has made the Finals eight straight times for a reason.
It goes without saying that whoever books a seat in the postseason is confident of springing an upset in the first round. Believing and doing are, however, two different things, especially with the powerhouse Warriors likely set to be waiting in the wings. Of course, the Kings and Lakers deem making the playoffs to be success in and of itself — which is why the next two months figure to bring edge-of-seat competition. Motivations abound, leading to a fan-tastic finish.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
