Los Angeles Lakers News: NBA’s Newest Darling Is A Playoff Contender; Lakers Might Win The Western Conference Title?

The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as a fun team in the NBA playoffs that even the most jaded fans of the 29 other teams and inappreciable skeptics are starting to notice the team's resurrection as a contender. Last year, the LA Lakers were at the bottom of the team standings, but this year, after 12 games, the whole NBA community is seeing a much-improved franchise.

The 2016-2017 season of the NBA has seen how the Los Angeles Lakers earned back the respectability it once had during the multiple glory years of Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and other Lakers who have contributed to the team's previous titles.

According to Fox Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers seats at the chart with seven wins and five losses and is ranked seventh in the Western Conference, as of Wednesday. In 2015, the LA Lakers had to wait until January 1, 2016, to win a game.

Though the Los Angeles Lakers had several victories in the past, the team had never earned the respect of non-Lakers fans whose animosity is linked to unadulterated jealousy. The team's rise as a playoff contender can be attributed to several factors including excellent team decisions, improvement of its players, and some lucky coincidences. How did the LA Lakers become a likable team in the NBA this season?

The Los Angeles Lakers' decision to fire its head coach Byron Scott is one factor. Scott had been criticized for bringing the Lakers to the lowest depths in franchise history. CBS Sports described him as one of the worst coaches in the Lakers' NBA's history.

Another factor to the early laurels of the Los Angeles Lakers is its new head coach, Luke Walton, who is now considered as one of the best coaches in the game. Walton is commended by sports analysts for his understanding of modern offense on the instinctual level. The young coach is known for his playing mantras of "enjoying the game" and "being a good teammate."

The contributions of the Los Angeles Lakers' young players is also a factor in the team's re-emergence as a force to reckon in the NBA. Brandon Ingram is important to the team as a symbol of its future achievements. There is also Jordan Clarkson who is acting like a veteran guard who joins D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle as the team's very talented young and reliable guards.

It is expected that NBA fans will turn into "hater mode" once the Los Angeles Lakers arrive on the verge of championship contention this season. Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs fanatics, are you all ready for more beatings by the Lakers?