Should The Lakers Fear The Beard?

By Ross Anderson

  A very tumultuous year for the Lakers may be coming to a close and possibly becoming one of the biggest busts in NBA history. With a 4 sure fire hall of famers the lakers came into the season as the favorite to take the crown away from King James and the Champion Miami Heat. But an early coaching change chemistry problems and a slew of injuries have the Lakers only 1 game over .500 and barely holding on to the 8th seed.
  

 After going 11-3 following the All Star break, as quick as the Lakers convinced us they'd figured it out, they reminded us they can't be trusted. Going 5-5, including a 3 game losing streak the last 10 games has left the door ajar for the Jazz, an improving Dallas Mavericks team to knock them out of the playoff picture. But with Utah losing one of their key players, Enes Kanter, to injury plus their inconsistent play have the Mavs as the front runners to erase the Lakers from the playoff picture.
  
 The Mavs are just 2 games away from shaving their "get .500 beards" and taking the 8th seed. Since coach Carlisle inserted Mike James into the starting lineup he's averaging 10.3 ppg and 4.9 apg, along with Dirk Nowitzki reminding us why he was the finals MVP just 2 years ago, scoring 19.7 ppg shooting 53.8% from the field, 44.4% from 3, 95% free throws and grabbing 7.9 rpg. 5 of the Mavs last 10 games are against teams under .500 and/or at home and a game against the Lakers at the Staples Center.
  

  With the Mavericks schedule, losing Metta world Peace for the rest of the season, and nagging injuries to Kobe and Steve Nash , Pau working himself back into form and Dwight Howard still not 100%, all working against them, it's looking like Vino's Lakeshow will be watching the playoffs from home.