Fifty Means Zero to Harris This Year

Del Harris received a great deal of attention for reaching the 50-win plateau last season, maybe because it was a first for him. That attention is gone this season, replaced by a sense that it was expected. Or that much more was expected.

“I wanted to win 60 games, I can tell you that,” Harris said. “I’ve never told anybody that. I felt, ‘We’re capable of being a 60-win team and then we’ll be on our way.’ So I do regret that now we are mathematically unable to reach 60.”

Because it would have been impressive.

“That,” Harris said, “and plus you know it’s going to put you in good playoff position. Probably clear to the second round and even the third round with home-court advantage.

“With our team, 50 is no longer a legitimate goal. I’m not a guy who picks numbers, but we should never be satisfied with 50 the next several years.”

The number that remains out there for the Lakers to hit is 53, their win total from last season. Reaching that is a good possibility, but so is the likelihood that they’ll have to earn it--five of the final six games are against teams that appear headed for the playoffs.