_Column: How Do the Lakers Set Themselves Up for a Long Postseason Run? It Starts at Home_

_Column: How Do the Lakers Set Themselves Up for a Long Postseason Run? It Starts at Home_

 

Los Angeles, CA – As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to navigate the challenges of the NBA season, one thing is clear: if they want to make a deep postseason run, they need to start by taking care of business at home.

 

The Lakers have been inconsistent at the (link unavailable) Arena this season, with a 17-10 record in their own building. While that may not seem like a bad record, it’s actually one of the worst home records in the Western Conference.

 

Compare that to the top teams in the West, such as the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings, who both have home records above .700. Those teams have established a strong sense of comfort and familiarity in their own buildings, and it’s given them a significant advantage in the standings.

 

So, what can the Lakers do to start taking care of business at home? Here are a few key areas to focus on:

 

First and foremost, the Lakers need to establish a consistent level of energy and effort at home. Too often this season, they’ve come out flat and sluggish in front of their own fans, only to have to mount a comeback in the second half.

 

That’s not a sustainable formula for success, especially in the playoffs. The Lakers need to find a way to bring a high level of intensity and focus to every home game, regardless of the opponent.

 

Second, the Lakers need to do a better job of defending their home court. They’ve been inconsistent on defense all season, but it’s been especially problematic at home. Opponents have been able to get whatever they want on offense, whether it’s driving to the basket or shooting from the perimeter.

 

The Lakers need to find a way to tighten up their defense and make it harder for opponents to score. That means being more active and engaged on the defensive end, and doing a better job of communicating and rotating.

 

Finally, the Lakers need to start taking advantage of their home-court advantage. They’ve got one of the most passionate and dedicated fan bases in the league, and they need to start feeding off that energy.

 

That means being more aggressive and assertive on offense, and taking more risks to try and get easy baskets. It also means being more physical and energetic on defense, and using the crowd’s energy to fuel their own performance.

 

If the Lakers can start taking care of business at home, it will set them up for a long postseason run. They’ll be able to build momentum and confidence, and they’ll be able to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

 

It all starts at home, and the Lakers need to start taking advantage of their own building. They’ve got the talent and the potential to be a dominant team, but they need to start putting it all together.

 

With a few tweaks to their approach and a renewed focus on taking care of business at home, the Lakers can set themselves up for a deep postseason run. It’s time for them to start taking advantage of their home-court advantage and making a push for the top of the Western Conference.