The Lakers have definitely turned a corner. Finally. Since the All-Star break, LA has earned a 8-2 record, and have crept their way back into playoff position in the Western Conference. With their win against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, the Lakers took sole possession of the eighth seed in the West, and look poised to move up in the standings by the end of the season.
The Lakers sure have come a long way since the beginning of the season. They are not all the way there by any means, as they are still dealing with injuries and have more progress to make, but considering where they as little as a month ago, Lakers fans have a reason to smile again.
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One of the improvements that the Lakers have made over the past few weeks has been their chemistry. Lakers forward Antawn Jamison credits their improved chemistry to their recent on-court success (wins). Per Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, Jamison shared after Sunday’s game:
“We finally have chemistry and togetherness,” he said. “You see guys smiling and holding each other accountable. No one is rolling eyes to one another when a mistake is being made. We’re being positive. If somebody gets on somebody, we take it and then move on. Togetherness has been the improvement now instead of the things that went on in the first two months of the season.”
Kobe Bryant echoed this progress, specifically with his relationship with Dwight Howard, which will be crucial as the Lakers move ahead. Bryant then shared:
“We’re very focused,” Bryant said. “We know what we have to do and what lies ahead. Everybody’s locked in.”
The old saying that “winning cures everything” may be coming into play here. While it hasn’t cured everything, it has certainly helped with their chemistry. The Lakers will look to gain momentum on the court and continue to improve their chemistry on a three-game road trip next, starting with the Orlando Magic, which should be fun.
