The Los Angeles Lakers will kick off the regular season with a slightly upgraded roster featuring Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer, but what will be more significant is the return of Kobe Bryant, as he has been plagued with injuries that has left him sidelined over the span of two NBA seasons. Bryant and company will be off to a fresh start, unfortunately this team will be fighting an uphill battle as they look to overcome an abysmal 2013-2014 regular season record of 27-55 — second to last in the Western Conference.

Unlike the Eastern Conference the West is stacked. At a minimum there are at least nine teams who will be battling it out for the eight playoffs positions, which is more bad news for the Lakers.

Will the Lakers make the 2015 NBA Playoffs?

Arnold Glass: There’s no way in hell you can convince me that the Los Angeles Lakers will make the playoffs in 2015. They finished last season with a 27-55 record, which put them in 14th place in the Western Conference. Jim Buss has set this legendary franchise back so far that it will take them at least three seasons to recover.

Here’s an example of the damage; the Lakers had the potential to make some major moves in the off-season because they had a lot of cap space and only had three players under contract. This year’s free agency had the likes of the “Big Three” in Miami, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, Chandler Parsons, and Marcin Gortat. The best the Lakers could come up with was Carlos Boozer, who was amnestied by the Chicago Bulls and Jeremy Lin, who was giver up for draft picks to the Houston Rockets. NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY FOR THE LAKERS!

As a result, you cannot possibly believe that the Lakers can move from 14th in the standings to at least the eighth spot in the Western Conference and make it to the 2015 NBA Playoffs. You have better sense than that. Don’t you?

Jared Cortes: Doubt and confusion swarm the Los Angeles Lakers team this year as Kobe Bryant returns from last season’s injury, seeking to return his historic team to prominence. The team has a whole new look with newcomers Jeremy Lin, Ed Davis, and Carlos Boozer donning purple and gold.

The Lakers will also have rookie stud Julius Randle looking to find a foothold in the NBA. Still with the current roster and the extremely tough competition in the Western Conference, it’s tough to place them in the playoffs this year. Unless Steve Nash can return to his former MVP form and the newcomers shine, Kobe’s team will miss the playoffs yet again.

Jr. Williams: There are three factors that must be executed before I can even fathom the Lakers making the playoffs in 2015. First, Kobe Bryant has to play like an MVP, which at this stage of his career is highly unlikely, although I am not the person to ever count Kobe out of a fight. He is a warrior and the last of a dying breed in the NBA, I really hope he stays healthy.

Second, Byron Scott will have to coach his ass off! Seriously, the players will really have to buy into his coaching system while also performing at a level much higher than they are accustomed to. Lastly, the Lakers are going to have to play wheel-and-deal before the trade deadline and hopefully land a high caliber player who can help this team make a run at the postseason ( if such a player is out there ). On a positive note, I believe Jeremy Lin is a “poor mans” version of a young Steve Nash. Lin is great at involving other players and I’m sure Kobe will appreciate having him on the floor dishing out dimes.

Overall, I am very optimistic for a Lakers postseason appearance, but if you’re a Lakers fan don’t get your hopes up just yet.

Will the Lakers make the NBA Playoffs? Yes, it could happen!

Not a chance in Hell! View Results