NBA Today: 3 Reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers are the best team in the league right now

When the Los Angeles Lakers front office bagged Anthony Davis from New Orleans in the offseason, everyone knew fireworks were in store for their 2019-20 campaign. And indeed this team has surpassed all expectations so far whilst fabricating a newer, higher ceiling with every passing game.

But what's actually been an amazing sight to witness is how all the pieces have come together for LA. From what was a dysfunctional mess just a few months ago, we have seen the rise of one of the finest rosters ever to play the game of basketball.

The Lakers are currently 21-3 (0.875) on the season, despite having to play through a treacherous early December schedule headlined with testing matchups on the road. Moreover, along with playing quality basketball on a consistent basis, this squad is having genuine fun and the camaraderie is visible.

On that note, let's dive in and analyze the purple and gold closely to see what makes them surefire title contenders.

#1 The dynamic duo has built impeccable chemistry

The future of the Lakers franchise is in safe hands

The coupling of two generational superstars was bound to pay dividends for this team, but the way the narrative has unfolded is something to revisit. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been nothing short of amazing in the Lakers uniform this year so far, drawing energy and effort from each other's greatness.

While AD averages 27.7 points, 9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, Bron is posting dazzling numbers in 25.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and his own league-best of 10.8 dimes per matchup. The stats give a fair idea of how well they are sharing the court and playing to each other's strengths. LeBron's pass-first demeanor has jelled perfectly with AD's transition rim-running style of play.

Having a couple of elite two-way players on the court has the Lakers leading the league in field-goal percentage as well as blocks. Each one possesses the talent and basketball IQ to keep the scoreboard ticking throughout the 48 minutes, while the other takes a breather. And when they're on the court together, their skills add up for the greater good of the whole team.

#2 The support crew has been deeper than it looks on paper

The feisty second unit has been a menace for opponents

Coach Frank Vogel has done a great job of distributing the load across the roster, and the role players have embraced their duties to perfection. The brilliance of the Lakers' support crew often gets overshadowed by their two star players, but they have been playing their part with utmost professionalism and sincerity on a nightly basis.

Players like Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee have brought in veteran stability to the team's secondary production unit, working in tandem with the relatively less experienced Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and Quinn Cook to build a healthy locker room environment. Moreover, Troy Daniels has been a reflection of how this bench lineup is contributing more than what they were initially supposed to.

Headlined by Dwight Howard's resurgence, the Lakers bench has been an ideal group for a franchise that is looking to win it all this year.

#3 For the Lakers, everything stems from clampdown defense

The Lakers are giving away no easy buckets

Carrying a top 5 defensive rating (103.2) at the moment, the purple and gold have been contesting shots at an impressive rate this year along and leading the league with 7.1 blocks per game. With quality rim protectors like Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee, they have proven to be arguably the hardest team to score on in the paint. Moreover, their team average of 8.8 steals per matchup is currently the third-best in the NBA.

They are closing in on open jumpers, altering shots at the rim, interfering passes at the perimeter, all of this while their marquee defender, Avery Bradley, is sidelined with a right leg issue. One of the welcome sights has been Alex Caruso's cramping full-court defense down the stretch as well.

LA's commitment to securing the boards and double-teaming players led to them restricting Denver and Utah to under 100 points on back-to-back nights. This team is gifted offensively, but their grit on the defensive end is scary for the rest of the league.