There is no doubt that there seems to be a lot of professional jealousy around the NBA toward the Los Angeles Lakers because of their 17 world championships that have been spread across almost every decade of the league’s existence. There also appears to be an additional level of resentment toward the Lakers for whatever reason.
Former head coach George Karl, who was moderately successful during his coaching career with multiple teams, has attacked the Purple and Gold multiple times in recent months. He said their 2020 championship doesn’t count, and he also said Anthony Davis shouldn’t have been named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team and that LeBron James isn’t a superstar anymore.
On Thursday, shortly after the NBA’s schedule for this coming season was released, Karl was at it again. He said the Lakers, as well as the Golden State Warriors, will have more nationally televised games than wins (h/t Lakers Daily).
The number of national games for both LAL and GSW will be higher than their win totals
Orlando deserves more games https://t.co/oxcAOryDc4
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) August 15, 2024
Los Angeles will have the most nationally televised games of any team in the league with 39. It makes sense, as James and Davis are still as good a superstar duo as the league has these days.
But to expect the team to finish with a losing record seems unreasonable. It could happen if L.A. is ravaged by key injuries, or if James finally falls off a cliff in terms of his production.
But if neither happens, this Lakers team should be capable of winning approximately 50 games.
