Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Reasons They are NBA's Best Team

The NBA season is only 17 games in, but one team has convinced me they are the NBA's best.

The Los Angeles Lakers.

Yes, it sounds obvious, I mean they just won the championship.

But, remember all those preseason doubters? Even coach Phil Jackson said the Miami Heat were the team to beat.

So despite several teams having similar records to the Lakers, why are they the best team?

5. Chemistry

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Roy Hibbert #55 and T.J. Ford #5 of the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Staples Center on November 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User e

Coming off a championship season, the Lakers changed little about their team.

In fact, all of the major pieces remained with the team.

Last offseason was crazy with the much-hyped 2010 free agency. But in an ever-changing league, the Lakers remained the same.

This gave them a head start on the majority of teams in the NBA.

This team has won back-to-back championships together. And they look ready to compete for a third.

4. Their Humility

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MILWAUKEE - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he watches his team take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 118-107. NOTE TO USER: U

When the Lakers step on the court, there is no obvious indication that this a team that has won back-to-back titles.

There's no swag, no overconfidence. They want you to believe they're just your average basketball team.

Maybe humble isn't the right word, because they certainly know of their accomplishments. 

But their ability to stay grounded despite having a target on their back is incredible.

Credit coach Phil Jackson for this.

At one point in the preseason, Jackson even went as far as to try and say the Miami Heat were the favorite to win the NBA title.

An ingenious tactic: Trying to move the target from his team's back to another's.

That won't last much longer.

3. Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs as he looks on from the bench against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on November 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Is it possible to be underrated when you're one of the NBA's best players?

I say yes, even though many would argue the opposite of the Kobe Bryant.

Bryant has shown an ability to lead the Lakers no matter the pieces around him. That's crazy impressive. 

Bryant has been a member of five championship teams, and that's no coincidence.

It's because Bryant is arguably the NBA's best player. and also the best clutch shooter in the league.

The Lakers are going to play the NBA's other good teams to the wire. When they do, there is no one in the league more likely to seal the deal than Bryant.

2. Phil Jackson

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the game with the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on November 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 117-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

I've never been a huge Phil Jackson fan.

He comes off as arrogant, and that smile just says I'm better than you.

But truth is, Jackson is better.

He is better than the rest of the NBA, and he is an incredible coach.

Besides Bryant, the Lakers' roster doesn't scream dream team. 

Certainly not like the Miami Heat's roster, which brings me to my next point...

1. No Legitimate Threat

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MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat walks up the floor during a game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

If the Lakers aren't the best team, who is?

The Miami Heat came together to win championships. And to compete with the Lakers.

So far, that experiment has been failing miserably.

The Heat have yet to play the Lakers head-to-head. But there is no denying that the Heat are struggling.

The Lakers have proven their superiority to the Western Conference and the NBA the last two seasons.

Other than the Heat, no other team dramatically improved their team enough to make it plausible they could give the Lakers a run, assuming the Lakers maintained their same level of play from last season.

If the Heat don't get their act together, will someone else be able to prevent the Lakers from a third straight championship?