Not that you need to be told, but 2021 was not exactly a good 12 months for the Lakers. One season with high hopes flamed out in a wave of injuries, and another is on track to disappoint as well, thanks to another combination of bad health and bad roster choices. But that future isn't yet written! It's time to look back at the year that was, and find reasons for Lakers fans to be optimistic about what still could be for the 2021-22 squad.

Any sense of hope, though, is contingent at least in part on winning all the winnable games the Lakers have in front of them, even with Anthony Davis still sidelined. That starts with the next four games on the schedule -- Friday vs. Portland, Sunday vs. Minnesota, then games against the Kings and Hawks. All at home. All teams below .500, two of them (the Wolves and Sacto) tightly packed behind the Lakers in the West. That these games are more important than Wednesday's loss in Memphis, or upcoming games against, say, Utah, explain where the team is right now.

The Lakers will get some reinforcements, though, which should help them capitalize on what's coming. Austin Reaves, Trevor Ariza and Kent Bazemore will all be available this weekend, opening up more options for Frank Vogel/David Fizdale as the team leans into small lineups.

It's time to shove the old year out the door, and welcome in a new one!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have four very winnable games coming up, all at home. They need to take advantage.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers are getting (badly needed) players back. Is that going to squeeze Talen Horton-Tucker from the rotation? Why the Lakers could find themselves in a bit of a Catch-22.

SEGMENT 3: Looking back at 2021, finding reasons for optimism in 2022.

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