{"id":184558,"date":"2026-03-29T17:06:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T21:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=184558"},"modified":"2026-03-29T17:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T21:06:12","slug":"nba-legend-breaks-down-why-lakers-are-a-playoff-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/29\/nba-legend-breaks-down-why-lakers-are-a-playoff-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Legend Breaks Down Why Lakers are a Playoff Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

With eight games left in the regular season, speculation has brewed over how dangerous the Los Angeles Lakers could really be in the playoffs. The campaign has come with its share of injuries and inconsistencies, but LA\u2019s recent play has <\/span>turned heads among the national media<\/span><\/a>, with Hall of Famer <\/span>Dirk Nowitzki<\/span><\/a> recently chiming in.<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA Legend Breaks Down Why Lakers are a Playoff Threat<\/h2>\n

Nowitzki’s Comments<\/h3>\n

Nowitzki <\/span>discussed<\/span><\/a> the Lakers\u2019 playoff hopes during Saturday\u2019s pregame show for Amazon Prime Video:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe big three [are] healthy really for the first time. I think they\u2019re kind of finding their roles. LeBron has been doing a great job kind of stepping back, letting the younger two kind of carry the offense. \u2026 He just lets Austin and Luka do their thing, so I\u2019ve been impressed. Defensively, they\u2019re mixing it up. \u2026 They kind of get away with playing these subpar defenders, but they\u2019re mixing it up. They\u2019re mixing up the zone, they\u2019re matching up out of it. They\u2019re decent on the man-to-man. [Deandre] Ayton has been better.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, I think they\u2019re doing really well. Is that a team you really want to see in the playoffs with three guys that can decide the game, take over down the stretch? Been impressed with them, and we\u2019ll see how far they can take it.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Keys for Lakers as Postseason Looms<\/h3>\n

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After a red-hot showing after the All-Star break, the Lakers sit at 48-26 and third in the Western Conference, with their remaining strength of schedule ranking 16th, according to <\/span>Tankathon<\/span><\/a>. The Lakers have <\/span>prioritized defense and chemistry<\/span><\/a> heading into the home stretch, but there are other factors to monitor as the regular season winds down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

At Lakers practice and just like during training camp the message has remained the same. <\/p>\n

Championship Habits
Championship Communication
Championship Shape pic.twitter.com\/HJPKGmd5jx<\/a><\/p>\n

— Edwin Garcia (@ECreates88) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n