Winning 58 games is like a budding young girl; to achieve it, to embrace it, you always have to go through some ups and downs.
At the end of the season, there is no time to lament or admire others. The day after playing against the Spurs, the Lakers faced the challenge of the Hornets, who were fiercely battling for a playoff spot.
Unfortunately, the Lakers lost at home 103 to 109, missing the immediate chance to secure 58 wins.
Moreover, they had just caught up with the Spurs in losses but fell behind again by one game, turning their record to 57 wins and 16 losses and dropping to third in the West after being overtaken by the Supersonics with 58 wins and 16 losses.
The Lakers, the team that upset the Supersonics last season, were predicted by the league to be a top-four team in the division during the offseason, though not a championship favorite. Therefore, their schedule at the season's end was unkind.
