Does Lakers Win Streak Prove Contender Status?

Written by Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

Are the Lakers contenders? Ask me last Sunday morning that answer was a resounding NO, but things are fluid. And flowing the right way in Laker-land. Saturday night was the cap on a week in which they had their best win of the season - three times I kid you not. I left the New York, Minnesota and Denver games with the same feeling, the Lakers showed me something! They showed the league and national media something, this team is better than what it's been pegged since early December it's also confusing. Luka hit a game winner with .5 seconds left in the first overtime game of the season for the franchise, in the end of regulation Austin Reaves sent the game to OT on a perfectly executed missed free throw offensive rebound he finished off with a banker to send the crow into a frenzy. Just prior to that he threw the most mind blowing turnover of the season. LeBron James was diving on the floor and Marcus Smart was the best he's EVER been. Deandre Ayton's defens on Jokic in the 4th quarter and OT was stifling. Also his play vs Minnesota and Chicago this week was extraordinary so he's peaking at the right time!

Which brings me back to my original question. Are the Lakers contenders? They now own tiebreakers over Denver and Minnesota and have a chance to get it with two games coming up against Houston next - at Houston. I'll say yes, but I myself am an optimistic albeit - objective Lakers fan (and writer). I don't see any teams overwhelming the Lakers outside of the Thunder, the Spurs don't have the prerequisite expeience no matter how solid they are as the second seed with an amazing regular season. In the postseason - experience matters. I count the Conference Final participants each season as the contenders in my eyes and I see a clear path for the streaking Lakers to make a run for it.