The Los Angeles Lakers will not make the playoffs — at least, that seems to be the general consensus around the sports world. 

Well, brothers and sisters, I’m here today to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Everyone will obviously point out that Kobe Bryant is injured and will miss at least the first 20 or so games of the season.

Advantage Lakers.

Bryant, as great as he is, tends to be somewhat of a ball stopper. Once he decides he is going to take a game over, there is no such thing as an offense, or a coach for that matter.

With this reshaped Lakers team, running the offense will be its saving grace.

After the departure of Dwight Howard, the Lakers got younger and quicker in a hurry. That is music to coach Mike D’Antoni’s ears. 

His seven-seconds-or-less system is predicated on younger athletes willing to run the floor. 

Insert Xavier Henry and Wesley Johnson. 

Those names mean absolutely nothing to the casual NBA fan, and justifiably so. They have done little to nothing in their short playing careers; however, they will thrive in D’Antoni’s system. Henry and Johnson are both big guards and effective slashers. They are not the best shooters, which is why an up-and-down pace better suits their skills sets.

Anchoring that system is a healthy Steve Nash. Nagging leg injuries and personal issues limited his performance last season. Those problems seem to have been corrected.

Nash still has capable shooters around him. Jodie Meeks is a proven sharpshooter who will be better served in his new role as a spot up 3-point shooter. Injuries at key positions last season forced Meeks to take on more responsibility and hurt his productivity. 

Rookie forward Ryan Kelly has long-range ability. At 6-foot-11, he is sure to spread the floor, similar to a Channing Frye when he and Nash were in Phoenix. 

Nash’s backup, Steve Blake, is a consistent shooter as well. He was 42 percent from behind the arc last season.

Then there is offensive juggernaut Nick Young. Possibly the most underrated scorer in the NBA, he is instant offense. Numbers do not tell the story. Young averaged 10.6 points per game in just under 24 minutes in Philadelphia last season, but numbers don’t tell the full story. His combination of athleticism, range and ability to get his own shot makes him very lethal. This may be the most talented offensive guard playing next to Kobe since Eddie Jones. D’Antoni’s system is perfect for his style of play.

We must not forget the veterans.

Alongside a healthy Nash is a rejuvenated Pau Gasol.

Though a down year statistically, Gasol ended last season playing some of his best basketball. A lot of his late season production was clouded by the Dwight Howard affair on and off the court. After an offseason to heal, he should be really productive this season.

Joining Gasol in the frontcourt is former All-Star Chris Kaman. Once considered one of top big men in the game, he looks to be really effective playing for his second Los Angeles team. His numbers have declined over the past few seasons, but he is still talented enough to solidify that front line and support Gasol.

There is also the case of the forgotten Lakers. Jordan Hill, a high-energy player, was injured for a huge part of last season. His tenacity on the glass and ability to beat the opposing big man up the floor will prove vital this year, assuming he stays healthy.

Jordan Farmar, an integral piece of the Lakers 2009 and 2010 championship teams, has also made his way back to Hollywood. 

In addition to all of this, there is no reason to assume that Kobe will not return to form. His 27.3 points per game a year ago was third best in the league.

This team doesn’t have the luxury of the big names, but there isn’t a better collection of guys to use in this system. There is a good mix of younger talent and veteran leadership. D’Antoni has the benefit of a training camp to install his style, as opposed to last year when he was hired midseason. Assuming chemistry is established, there is no doubt that they are one of the top-eight teams in the Western Conference.

The Lakers will make the playoffs. And if not, Lakers fans can begin plotting early to bring Carmelo Anthony west. 

Spencer is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected].