NBA Power Rankings: Here come the Golden State Warriors

13. team. 20. The Los Angeles Lakers could possibly make the playoffs and it is going to be unbearable to deal with Lakers Nation if they do. Luke Walton is making himself look more and more like a shoe-in for Coach of the Year Award. If Walton is able to keep Nick Young as focused on the court as he’s been this year, I’ll petition the league to change the name of the award to the Luke Walton Award. However, Swaggy P isn’t the only player that’s seen his play improve under the new coach. The Lakers young core of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr have all made great strides since the team swapped out Old Man Byron Scott for Walton. Number two overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, Brandon Ingram, is still working his way into the flow of things, but if he starts to scratch at his potential this team could be really entertaining and really dangerous in the near future. The Lakers look like they could be a real threat to snatch away one of the last spots in a Western Conference playoff race that is already shaping up to be a good one this early into the year.. (7-7). Previous: . Los Angeles Lakers