L.A. Lakers: 82-0 Is Not Reality, but How Good Can The Lakers Really Be?

The Los Angeles Lakers will not finish the regular season 82-0.

It's unfathomable to think a team could maintain the focus, composure and dedication needed during such a long period of time, and that's not even counting the things that are totally out of your control.

God would have to show extreme favor towards an 82-0 team, because every single break would have to fall your way, including the ability to avoid crippling elements such as injuries and turmoil.

Maybe not impossible, but it's as close as you can get to it.

The next obvious question would be is there a chance that this Lakers team could possibly match Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls' record of 72-10?

Again, it's not likely.

Jordan's Bulls were without question the most dominant team of that era, and although there were other strong NBA teams, parity was not as much of a factor then.

Few people could foresee the 1995-96 Bulls reaching 72 wins, but during that time they were really the only team equipped to do it.

This season, some observers predicted the Miami Heat could possibly reach the 70-win plateau, and although teams like Boston and Orlando will not threaten that mark, they represent the type of challenge in competition that would prevent it.

There are simply much better teams now than there were during Chicago's 1996 historical championship run.

This is especially true in the West, where there are at least nine teams that could potentially win 50 regular season games, and maybe more.

If the Lakers remain healthy, and play with the same type of consistency they have as of late, then 60-plus wins is definitely a possibility.

Lakers' owner Jerry Buss said this year's team could be the best version that he has ever seen, and those words could hold true even if the Lakers never approach the 70-win milestone.

In my opinion the 2000-01 Lakers were the best of the Phil Jackson era, but their greatness did not materialize until the final weeks of the regular season and their subsequent one-loss run through the postseason.

This version of the Lakers are just as talented as that team, and they are more comfortable playing together as a unit.

The 2010-11 Lakers could still be recognized as one of the greatest teams in the history of the franchise without winning 70 games, but I must admit, the talent and chemistry of this team is tantalizing.

And they are not even as good as they have the potential to be.

When injured center Andrew Bynum returns, the Lakers will add another weapon to what has been the league's top front court, and newcomers Steve Blake and Matt Barnes have yet to grow fully comfortable in the system.

Kobe Bryant is not as assertive or healthy as he should be later in the season, and the defense, although performing well, has the potential to be much better once Bynum returns.

The Lakers' early schedule is very favorable and it's easy to imagine them hitting the 20-win mark in their first 24 games, and if they are really rolling at that point, then who knows?

Forward Lamar Odom has said that 70 wins is a possibility with this team, but before I believe his words, he must prove that he is capable of sustaining this type of performance, especially when it really matters.