"That's the team nobody really wants to face"- Isiah Thomas makes massive claim about LeBron James and LA Lakers

After the LA Lakers’ 121-110 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, LeBron James’ team now holds a 38-38 record. They are the eighth seed in the incredibly congested Western Conference standings.

Here’s what Isiah Thomas had to say about the exciting battle in the wild, wild West:

“The Lakers at eighth [spot]. A month ago, we had the Lakers dead, just straight dead. Everybody hated them, this is the worst season ever, they’re never gonna make the playoffs and now they’re eighth. Not only are they eighth, but they’re playing well.

“I forgot what somebody said about nobody fearing LeBron [James] and all other stuff. Well, them seven teams that are above the Lakers, one through seven, there’s not one team that’s saying ‘I want to play LeBron and the Lakers in the first round.’"

The LA Lakers are 12-6 after the trade deadline. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka executed a flurry of trades that sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz via a three-team deal. LA got D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley in return.

Patrick Beverley was also dealt to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba while Rui Hachimura was acquired by giving up two second-round picks.

LeBron James now has a deeper and more well-balanced supporting cast with just enough shooting to make them more dangerous. The four-time MVP has just returned from a long layoff to deal with a right foot injury but looked his old self in the win against the Bulls.

Anthony Davis has been playing quite well while Dennis Schroder, Jarred Vanderbilt and D’Angelo Russell have contributed as expected.

The Lakers are nothing like the team that opened the season 0-5 and tied the franchise’s worst start when they had a 2-10 win-loss slate.

LeBron James didn’t want to undergo surgery on his right foot despite the recommendation of two doctors as LA could win it all this season.

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LeBron James and the LA Lakers still have a long way to go before clinching at least a play-in spot

The LA Lakers are 17-20 on the road and 22-24 against teams from the Western Conference. They will play four of their next six games away from Crypto.com Arena and against teams from their conference.

LeBron James and crew will have to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Houston Rockets, the Utah Jazz twice, the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns. Except for the Rockets, all the teams still have something to play for and are jockeying for a postseason berth.

Anthony Davis said a week ago that they need to treat their remaining schedule as a long list of Game 7s. They’re 1-1 since he made that claim, losing and winning one against the Chicago Bulls.

Getting LeBron James back will be a big plus as they make a final push for the playoffs. If they do manage to get into the postseason, they’ll be a tough team to dispatch in any series.

James and Anthony Davis are proven winners. LA’s roster is deeper than ever and is playing well. Isiah Thomas may be right. No team is excited to face the retooled Lakers in the playoffs.