The Los Angeles Lakers are a depleted team. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Jodie Meeks are all injured and now, Metta World Peace is the most recent addition to the injured list. ESPN reports that although World Peace wanted to play, Mike D’Antoni decided against it, citing that he wouldn’t be able to contribute due to the extent of his injury.
The combined package of injuries, poor defense and questionable coaching should make the Lakers an easy sweep for the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night at the Staples Center. However, the Lakers still have hope that a miracle win is possible.
World Peace used twitter to express his optimistic feelings about the Lakers despite being unable to play, “I won’t be able to play Sunday, but it’s OK. We’re going to come out with the victory and then we’ll move on from there.”
D’Antoni channeled World Peace’s spirit, telling the Los Angeles Times, “We’re not giving up here.” He said of game 4. “We’re never giving up.”
The Lakers are down by three games right now to the Spurs. However, the first two games were played in San Antonio so the Lakers still have a chance at a home victory Sunday night before returning to Texas. Although the Friday game was a complete blowout resulting in the Lakers losing 89 to 120, the first two games weren’t completely awful. The Lakers lost by a respectful 11 and 12 points on the road.
Although the Lakers are missing pieces, Andrew Goudelock was able to rise to the occasion in his first ever NBA game, which happened to be starting for the Lakers in the NBA playoffs. Once he established his confidence, he was able to score 20 points, including back-to-back three point shots.
If Pau Gasol, Earl Clark and Dwight Howard can rise to the challenge like Goudelock did, the Lakers might be able to force a real series.
