The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, have been in unfamiliar territory the past few years. The proud owners of 16 championships haven’t sniffed the playoffs in three seasons. Yours Truly predicted they would extend that unhappy streak this season, yet the Lakers find themselves at .500 after 20 games.
Luke Walton, their head coach, is getting much of the credit for their turnaround. He appears to be more capable of reaching his youthful team than his predecessor, the dour Byron Scott.
The Lakers are getting impressive bench production. Their top scorer, ex-Raptor guard Lou Williams, doesn’t start.