Lakers Comeback Win over Thunder Shows Los Angeles Is Ready to Win It All

The Los Angeles Lakers didn't shoot particularly well, and at times, looked inferior to the Oklahoma City Thunder after falling behind by 16 points going into the fourth quarter.

And after the season the Lakers have had, not a single soul in the basketball world would've thought they could come back against one of the NBA's elite teams.

But with the help of incredible heart and a little bit of magic, the Lakers managed to make up for that 16-point deficit by dropping 30 points in the last period to bring it to two overtimes and, ultimately, victory.

This win wasn't on the back of just one person, however.

Kobe Bryant shot 9-for-26 in the game with 26 points, but did make the big, tough shots down the stretch when he needed to. Pau Gasol finally shined with 20 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

What might be more important for LA is the unlikely contributions from Steve Blake, Devin Ebanks and Jordan Hill that gave the Lakers their best bench play of the entire season. Hopefully for LA, it's the start of something special and a possible return of a once-great bench.

As a team, the Lakers showed the most cohesion we've seen all season. In all, six players finished in double-figures for Mike Brown's team.

For the first time in the 2011-12 season, it was safe to say the Lakers looked like a team who can compete for a championship. On both sides of the ball, Los Angeles looked elite for the final quarter of regulation and both of the extra frames.

It couldn't come at a better time for a team who has struggled all season.

With the playoffs around the corner, the Lakers are beginning to show themselves they can play championship basketball against one of the best teams in the league.

That should give Los Angeles all the momentum it could ever need heading into the playoffs.