Los Angeles Lakers fans are thrilled that the team has gotten off to such a great start this season. After losing to the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 10, they rebounded to beat the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors in back-to-back games, kick-starting another winning streak and are in first place in the tough Western Conference.
But NBA champions are, of course, never crowned in November. The Lakers have enjoyed the benefits of what has so far been a reasonably advantageous schedule. They have yet to play several of the best Western Conference teams, including Denver and Houston and haven’t faced Eastern Conference powers Philadelphia, Milwaukee or Boston either.