If I told you the Los Angeles Lakers had the best record in the NBA, would you believe me? Well, listen up because it’s true. These aren’t your grandfather’s Lakers, but they are just as good. By holding a commanding 8-2 record and sitting up-top the NBA with one of the best records, these Lakers mean business.
These Aren’t Your Grandpa’s LA Lakers
Lakers Have One Of The Best Records In The NBA
This Lakers team doesn’t have Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar like your grandpa remembers. They don’t even have Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol like I remember. No, this Lakers team with Lebron James on a mission, Anthony Davis looking to taste a deep playoff run, and a reborn Dwight Howard are turning heads, taking names and piling wins. Everyone expected this team to be good when it was constructed, but I don’t think anyone predicted this result this early into the NBA season. It’s not as though the Lakers are facing weak teams either. With impressive wins over teams like Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and the blazing Phoenix Suns, this Lakers team seems prepped and poised to take on any challenge that comes their way.
Defense Wins Championships
It’s a saying as old as time, defense wins championships. It’s a saying I have heard ever since I started watching basketball almost 20 years ago! Well, it seems to be something the Lakers have adopted and bought into. The Lakers currently have one of the highest defensive ratings in the entire NBA. They’re holding opposing teams to about 96 points per game and making teams shoot only 40% from the field. Is that good? That’s an amazing thing compared to where the Lakers ranked last season just nine games in. If the Lakers can maintain a feat like this in an offensive, fast-paced league, then there is no telling how far they can go.
Hey, This Guy Can Coach
A lot of talk before the season started was around Frank Vogel and his ability to coach this team. Well, he seems to be doing a fantastic job right now. Vogel is a coach primarily known to coach defense and it is showing, that’s for sure. Not only that, Vogel isn’t afraid to make necessary adjustments in-game for the benefit of the team. What’s that? A coach who actually makes in-game adjustments that actually exists? Yes, it does.
Perfect example: during the Lakers-Heat game, the Heat went into a 2-3 zone defense. Which is basically instead of guarding the guy in front of me, I guard a certain area on the floor. It’s a little more convoluted than that, but that’s the basic run of it. It’s a defense that isn’t usually seen in the NBA and it can be known to throw teams off course. Vogel realized that and made sure at half time that his players were in prime position to take care of the zone defense. It’s a little basketball 101: stop staying on the perimeter and attack the middle. Davis and Lebron were perfect doing just that. Davis finished with 26 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds. Lebron, on the other hand, had 25 points, 6 assist, and 4 rebounds, leading to an impressive victory.
Don’t Call It A Comeback
It’s been a few years since Lakers fans have had something positive to celebrate. So far so good, in my opinion. The defense is looking sharp, the players are engaged, and the fans are as animated as ever. Trust me, I know. If I had my way, I would stop the season right now and just start the playoffs, but sadly I can’t.
Nonetheless, this is what Lakers fans have been waiting for and this team has not disappointed. It’s still early in the season, but there is still time to improve and become even better. Now, if you know anyone who questions if the Lakers have always been this good, simply answer yes, so don’t call it a comeback because we’ve been here for years.
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