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D’Angelo Russell thinks the Lakers will most definitely be a playoff team

ByMike Dyce|

Los Angeles Lakers rookie D’Angelo Russell thinks they will be a playoff team.

The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has had a drop off of talent that has been considerable over the past few seasons in the twilight years of Kobe Bryant’s career. But thinks could be turning around according to rookie guard D’Angelo Russell, who the Lakers drafted with the No. 2 pick at the 2015 NBA Draft.

“Expectations are high,” Russell told Basketball Insiders’ Alex Kennedy, “but this Lakers squad will most definitely be a playoff team.”

Bryant certainly would love to see the Lakers make the playoffs to justify him continuing to play. That being said, an aging Bryant and Russell might not be enough to turn the 21 win team last season into a playoff team this season.

All but one playoff team in the Western Conference won 50 games, so that is the benchmark the Lakers would need to aspire to if they want to make the playoffs. Fans could expect a drop off in play from two playoff teams like the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers, but there are other things to consider.

For starters, they play in the toughest conference in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t make the playoffs last season and they were without Kevin Durant for an extended period, his return will be a bigger factor than Kobe’s. That also is another obstacle for the Lakers trying to make the playoffs. The New Orleans Pelicans will be a better team this season, as will the Los Angeles Clippers. The Phoenix Suns are hanging around.

H/T Pro Basketball Talk

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