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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Despite Recent Struggles, Luke Walton Feels More ‘Excitement’ Than Previous Seasons Because Of Lakers’ Potential Berth In NBA Playoffs
Lakers News

Despite Recent Struggles, Luke Walton Feels More ‘Excitement’ Than Previous Seasons Because Of Lakers’ Potential Berth In NBA Playoffs

Matthew Moreno
Published: 01/26/2019
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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It was merely one month ago that the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Golden State Warriors for an impressive Christmas Day win that left them 2.5 games back of first place in the Western Conference.

LeBron James was unable to finish out that contest because of a groin strain, and Rajon Rondo missed the next 14 games due to a sprained right ring finger that required surgery. Without two of their leaders, the Lakers went into a free fall after rising to fourth in the standings.

They went 5-9 without James and Rondo, and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves despite seeing the return of the veteran point guard. The Lakers enter Saturday in ninth place, two games back of the Clippers for the final playoff spot.

“We’re a confident group. We feel like we’ve made some really nice strides and are going to be fine,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton said this week when asked about his team’s rough skid. “Speaking for myself, it’s more exciting being right there. When I took the job here, it was a rebuilding job.

“It wasn’t really about [the playoffs]. For the first time this far into the season, you’re in that race, which is what we love. So it’s more excitement. The confidence is there with the group, whether we’re in ninth, 10th, fifth, sixth.”

While the Lakers currently find themselves on the outside looking in, they aren’t far off from potentially catching multiple teams in front of them. Though, the same could be said to possibly tumbling down to 12th, where the Dallas Mavericks are 2.5 games back of the Lakers.

“The way my brain processes information is we’re [3.5 games] out of fifth,” Walton said, explaining a preference to focus on the positive.

His confidence is similar to a response Rondo had when asked about the Lakers’ mindset with respect to the playoffs. Rondo simply put his trust in James, who hasn’t missed the playoffs since his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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TAGGED:Los Angeles LakersLuke Walton
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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