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Portland Trail Blazers: Projecting playoff seeding for entire Western Conference

By Carson Brown

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers: 2nd Seed

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a year filled with lofty expectations and harsh realities when the season took a left turn down the wrong path with a LeBron James hamstring injury on Christmas day at Oracle.

The Lakers front office wouldn’t sleep as the greed for Anthony Davis grew and the disappointment in their young core reached its peak. Prior to the free agency period beginning in the midst of June the Lakers dream finally  came to fruition as Anthony Davis flew into Los Angeles with a smile and the Lakers celebrated as their young core finally departed from the origination.

Times have changed for the Lakers. The energy feels as if it has reached new levels. The fact that they’re in jeopardy of losing their city at the hand of their arch enemy should have the Lakers amped to put their stamp on this league in the traditional Laker way. Its go time for the Lakers. Between The King and the Brow averaging fifty a night together and Kyle Kuzma ready to emerge as their third option should have this team equipped for immediate success.

LeBron seems energized, posting his workout regimen on social media which has some fans bothered, but he’s really just letting the world know in advance that the King isn’t ready to be dethroned quite yet. James was able to have an extended offseason for the first time in nine years taking April, May and June off for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Anthony Davis hasn’t shied away from expressing his mindset entering his first season with a new uniform on. He made it clear he has intentions to dominate this league by obtaining the DPOY award and maybe getting his fingerprint on an MVP award as well.

The supporting cast for the Lakers has potential but comes with many questions. Danny Green is going to  be a solid role player we know that, but the concerns come with Avery Bradley and Dwight Howard who seem like they haven’t played in years. Rajon Rondo’s experience returning and the stride JaVale McGee made last year will also be a factor in how long this journey lasts for the Lakers. The Lakers are back and there’s no doubt this roster will come with a plethora of victories and potentially some hardware come early June.