How Big Is the Gap Between the Lakers and Elite Western Conference Teams‪?‬ Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

With the Finals in our collective rear view mirror (maybe not THAT far in our collective rear view mirror but nonetheless in it), ESPN has it's first edition of the 2024-25, admittedly way too early Power Rankings.

Of course, the idea of ranking teams now, when so much is going to change and we are almost literally as far as we'll be bfeore anyone plays ball again, might seem silly. And it is, if you allow yourself to get wrapped up in the rankings aspect of it. It doesn't matter if your team is 1, 2 or 3. Or 7, 8 or 9. What's important is where you stand relative to other contenders, and for the Lakers they're a step behind. Right now that's perception, but it's perception based on tangible stuff. It should help crystallize how far the Lakers are from winning another title.

Because the Lakers, even if you think 15 is too low - this is where ESPN put them in their rankings - is still a decent leap behind teams like Denver, Dallas, Minnesota and Oklahoma City. What about Memphis? Sacramento? Those teams were both ranked behind LA.

And as long as we're arguing about team placements, what about player placements? Where do Lakers like Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell fit into the NBA ecosystem? Top 125? 100? 75? These are critical considerations, because were the team to lose any of the assets they currently have (i.e. Russell signing somwhere else with nothing coming back) they'd be hard pressed to find free agents who would be an upgrade.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: 15 with a bullet!



SEGMENT 2: What a June Power Ranking reveals.



SEGMENT 3: What about player tiers?



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