Golden State Warriors: Ranking the top five Western Conference postseason threats

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on November 21, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have LeBron James. Although each of their young stars have proven to go through cold patches, the Lakers still have who many regard as the best basketball player on the planet.

With James, you can never count the Lakers out. However, he may not even be a problem this postseason. With the later out of the eight seed in the West by three games and a rough schedule ahead, many predictions have the King missing the postseason for the first time in 14 seasons.

The Lakers have beat the Celtics in Boston and have also lost to the Hawks in Atlanta over the last few weeks, so it’s really hard to gauge just how well they’ll do down the stretch.

Ultimately, it’s the King that will power them to the postseason. He’s averaging 26.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this season. Along with Kyle Kuzma, James has led the Lakers through the good and bad.

They’ll have to make the playoffs, but with veteran leadership in James and Rajon Rondo, shooting in Kuzma and Ingram and capable bigs in McGee, I wouldn’t quite count the Lakers out.

They’ll a talented team, but they need to put it together on a consistent basis to be viewed as a threat to Golden State.

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