To begin with, the Los Angeles Lakers posted an outstanding mid-season record of 33-8, which is a .805 winning percentage. They have a 4-5 game lead for the best record in the Western Conference over the Nuggets, Jazz and Clippers and sport the second-best record in the NBA with two more losses than the Milwaukee Bucks.
Halfway into the season, they have clearly exceeded the forecasts of most pundits, many of whom predicted the Lakers would finish fourth or fifth in the West. Much can happen in the season’s second half, but even the most neurotic fan must be pleased with how well the team has fared so far.