'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA season is well underway. After a very timid 2-5 start, there were some concerns whether the Lakers are ready to challenge in a very loaded Western Conference this year.
With more than a month into the NBA season, the Lakers finally seem to have found their footing.
They have won eight out of their last 10 matches and are currently sitting at seventh position in the Western Conference playoff standings with a 10-7 record.
The Lakers started off the season playing at a record pace. They were looking like a great offensive side but failed to impress on the defensive end.
But since the signing of Tyson Chandler, some of the defensive woes have been taken care of. They are 6-1 since the signing of Chandler.
Others have also developed playing chemistry and right now the team is playing with better coordination. So let's have a look at the top three performers for the Lakers this season:
#3 Josh Hart
Josh Hart was taken as the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since then he has continued to impress and even cracked the starting line-up on several occasions. He was chosen as the summer league MVP this year and has currently become a vital cog for the second unit.
His efforts on defence and rebounding are hugely helping the team. He is never shy of guarding the opposition big men too which enables the Lakers to play small ball lineups.
Hart is averaging 11 PPG in 26 minutes of action this season and leads the team in 3PT percentage shooting 42% from the deep.
He has become a legitimate three and D player for the Lakers. He has also played in some of the clutch moments for the team making some good defensive stops and getting crucial rebounds.
Lakers will hope that Hart keeps on improving and provide able support to LeBron James.
#2 JaVale McGee
Before the start of the season, there was one position that was considered as a glaring weakness in the Lakers roster, the center position.
They didn't have any elite names to play the center position. JaVale McGee was always very athletic but had never shown the consistency as a center.
But the two-time NBA champion has silenced all his doubters this season. He has been playing tremendously well in all the games for the Lakers and has cemented his spot in the starting lineup.
McGee is averaging 13.4 PPG with 2.6 blocks per game for the season in just 24 minutes of playing time. He is currently fourth in the league in blocks per game.
McGee has formed a great tandem at the centre position with Tyson Chandler. He has also been fitting perfectly alongside King James and Lonzo Ball who have given him plenty of opportunities to showcase his dunking talent. McGee is also in running for the MIP award this season.
#1 LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers made the biggest move of the summer by acquiring the services of LeBron James and the King has not disappointed so far.
The Lakers are three games above .500 for the first time in five years and are looking increasingly likely to mount a challenge in the Western Conference.
James is averaging 28.9 PPG, 8.1 REB and 6.9 assists per game for the season on 52% shooting from the field.
He has again become the lead contender for the MVP this season. Recently, James became the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history going past another Lakers legend, Wilt Chamberlain. He also dropped 51 on his ex-team, the Miami Heat.
The improvement of the Lakers can entirely be linked to LeBron James. He is capable of making the team and the entire city believes. The Lakers will go as far as King James can take them this season.
