The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-2013 NBA season where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. They are chasing their first championship title since 2010 and their 17th in franchise history.

In each round, the Lakers lost the first game but won the next four, both against the Portland Trailblazers and the Houston Rockets. Anthony Davis has been their most consistent scorer, averaging 27.6 points along with LeBron James averaging 26.6 points. The adjustments they’ve made throughout this playoff run are getting some of the younger players more involved and giving them scoring opportunities.

At this point in the current NBA playoffs, the Lakers are through the first two rounds and now await the Los Angeles Clippers or the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

In the end, I think the Lakers will be crowned champions. Arguably, the best player in the world is on the Lakers roster — LeBron James. Anthony Davis and James combined, make one of the best duos in the NBA right now. With both playing at their highest caliber their chances of winning are increased even more.

While Davis has never won a championship or even made it to the finals, he has represented both the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers in the All-Star Game, for a total of seven All-Star selections in his career. Davis is considered a team player and one of the most consistent scorers on the Lakers.

The Lakers roster includes three other players who have also won championship games — Rajon Rondo, J.R. Smith and Danny Green.

Rondo, a four time All-Star with the Boston Celtics, earned a championship ring during the 2007-2008 NBA season and was the NBA steals leader in 2010.

Smith, a Cleveland Cavaliers teammate of James from 2014-2018 is also an NBA champion. Smith was a part of the impressive 3-1 comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

Green, who won a ring last season with the Toronto Raptors and in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, is a starter on the Lakers. Even though Green is not considered a high scorer, he is very productive and plays solid defense at the right times, which is key for the Lakers in winning a championship title this season.

Great team chemistry and experienced players help teams win championships. James, Rondo, Smith and Green’s experience as NBA ring-holders will benefit rookie players on the court this playoff season, like Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma.

The Lakers would love to bring a championship home to Los Angeles, especially after the death of Kobe Bryant. Bryant died on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash along with eight other people, including his second oldest child, Gianna Bryant who was only 13-years-old. Bryant was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons, earning five championship titles with the team throughout his career.

Alex Martin can be reached at [email protected] or @alexmartinjour on Twitter.