Kobe Bryant is holding to the Hollywood script. The story of 1 of the gameas all-time greats is still being created, and this year could be your final accomplishment prior to the epilogue. Bryant is pulling the La Lakers by his legs in to the postseason, a tag that seemed almost impossible in late January if the team was a season-worst ten games under.500 (17-25). The West Coast's tremendous team, laden up with big-name beginners Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, seemed ruptured beyond repair. Management wasnat thinking about investing its new big man, whilst the waters of sneers and scoffs appeared to block the under-performing team. But in an outstretched 82-game time, Bryant never yielded to doubt. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports The ninth-place Lakers sailed in the aftermath of the Western Conferenceas top eight teams, 3.5 activities behind the Houston Rockets. Still, Bryant didn't waver and informed Sports Illustratedas Jack McCallum that his team could be in the playoffs. aIt isn't a question of when we make the playoffs,a Bryant informed McCallum on Feb. 21. Shock may. And once we get there, I've no anxiety about anyonea'Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver... whoever. I've zero nervousness about that.a Ok, Bryant is decent along with his word. Since that time, the Lakers have been the sixth most readily useful team in hockey with accurate documentation of 10-5. Because of the Utah Jazz, 3-11 since that time, the Lakers sit happily in the Westas eighth position, 1.5 games before Utah and 2.5 games behind the seventh-seeded Houston Rockets. In 13 games since Feb. 21, Bryant has carried the Lakers, scoring 28.4 points per game on 49 % shooting and also calculating 6.9 aids and 6.0 rebounds. Howard has picked it up also, averaging 16.5 points, 14.9 boards and 2.7 blocks, and Nash is averaging 14.1 points and 5.5 assists. The successful has been far from storybook though; thereas a difference between a team playing hot and finally playing nearer to expectations. The achievement isnat a, but itas also not as if the Lakers have now been on a principal work just like the Miami Heat or Denver Nuggets. Its way have been scrapped by los Angeles to victories and still hasnat found a formula to win most of the close games. Bryant's get back from his ankle injury involved a last-second opportunity in losing to the Washington Wizards on Saturday. When Bryant went down with a ankle in the final minutes of a to the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, it was the to begin three failures in the team's last five games. La continues to defend poorly and still has helped opponents 101.2 points per game during its current winning stretch. The Lakersa postseason still isnat a lock. Of the Lakers' remaining 12 activities remaining, six are against recent Western Conference playoff groups. If the Golden State Warriors and Rockets complete well, it could be a battle just for the Lakers to keep a final place in the postseason. Utah continues to slide, losers of three consecutive games, but its final 13-game schedule does reduce with ten games against groups with losing record and only five street games. A 24-9 home record are be just 10-26 on the road this season but boasted by the Jazz. Fighting for the eighth position wonat be simple for the Lakers, a team that relies therefore much on its oldest superstar and lacks total depth, particularly after Antawn Jamison sprained his arm on Saturday. Itas maybe not going to be considered a dash into the playoffs; it'll be described as a hobble across the finish line. And that doesnat keep the Lakers in an excellent position heading in to a matchup against the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Bryant's price about having zero nervousness about a possible postseason meeting with the Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder or Denver Nuggets is just element of his unyielding confidence. Bryant is held with egoa'all the greats are. But arrogance is dazzling in its character. The Lakers canat compete with a group as stuck together and whilst the Spurs productive. San Antonio is just a definitely better defensive team that gives success, highlighted by the teamas league-best aid numbers. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Pictures The leagueas most consistent team is overcome by the Lakersa season-long battle for consistency wonat. Nevertheless the program of activities is never reasonable, and any true mythic year must triumph over the impossible. Bryantas playing profession will eventually end, and the screen for pursuing Michael Jordanas sixth concept is shrinking. The old man still has legs of a, and further life could be breathed by the spotlight the postseason into a Lakersa feel-good time. Itas simply not likely. Jimmy Spencer wants to know your take on how this Lakers' time will end. Follow and twitter him at @JimmySpencerNBA
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