Ever since the Russell Westbrook trade in early February, the Los Angeles Lakers have been slowly but gradually resembling a gathering storm.
They have won 15 of their last 22 games since the players acquired for Westbrook debuted, and they have been arguably the best defensive team in the NBA during that span. Although Westbrook is still a good player, the players L.A. got in return for him have fit the team much better than he did.
Buy Lakers TicketsIn recent days, pundits across the land have been paying more attention to the Lakers’ improved play, and some, including Jay Williams and Chris Mannix, have said the team can reach the NBA Finals this year, if not win the world championship.
Count Fox Sports 1’s Nick Wright among that group of pundits. He boldly proclaimed the Lakers are going all the way (h/t The Cold Wire).
"The Lakers are winning the whole thing. LeBron gets ring No. 5. AD reclaims the respect. … Nobody wants to play the Lakers." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/XNycIiDfAW
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 3, 2023
Granted, Wright is a big LeBron James apologist, but he hasn’t believed in the Purple and Gold this much in a while.
