The Lakers are quietly making noise in the Western Conference - and not just the kind that gets headlines. At 31-19, they’re tied in record with the third and fourth seeds, yet currently sit in fifth.
That’s how razor-thin the margins are out West right now. But here’s the thing: for a team many expected to be inconsistent, the Lakers have been surprisingly steady.
And that consistency hasn’t come easy. Injuries, lineup tweaks, and chemistry questions have all been part of the story. Yet here they are, stacking wins and staying in the thick of a playoff race that’s as congested as it’s been in years.
A big part of that has to do with the stars doing what stars do. LeBron James, even in Year 21, is rounding into form.
Luka Doncic continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, and Austin Reaves - back in the mix - is giving them that all-important connective tissue on both ends of the floor. Add in the gritty contributions from Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, and this Lakers team has started to find a rhythm.
But not everyone’s buying the hype.
Paul Pierce, never one to hold back - especially when it comes to the Lakers - made waves with his latest comments. On a recent episode of No Fouls Given, Pierce went full Truth mode, suggesting the Lakers need a complete overhaul.
“They need to fly to Colombia, and then fly to Turkey, and then come back. A makeover,” Pierce said with a laugh.
“Because right now they in Dubai. Because right now we know what’s going on out there.”
Classic Pierce - part roast, part riddle, all entertainment. But underneath the punchlines, there’s a real question: can this Lakers team hang with the West’s elite when it matters most?
Pierce doubled down, calling Lakers fans “delusional” for thinking this squad has a shot at a title. “They have no shot,” he said. “You can bet the whole USA the Lakers won’t win it and double up on the USA.”
Now, it’s worth noting: Pierce spent most of his career in green, not purple and gold. So take that with the appropriate grain of salt.
But his skepticism isn’t unique. Around the league, there are questions about whether this Lakers group can survive a seven-game series against teams like the Thunder, Timberwolves, or defending champion Nuggets.
Still, this isn’t a team that looks like it’s just catching fire for a few weeks. They’ve got star power, postseason experience, and the kind of internal pressure that tends to harden a team by spring. There’s a long road ahead, but if they stay healthy and land in the right matchup, nobody’s going to be eager to see them in the first round.
Doubt them if you want - plenty are - but this Lakers team has the feel of a group that could get more dangerous the deeper we get into the season.