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As I sit here watching the Lakers improve to 2-0 with another convincing victory, I can't help but wonder if we're witnessing the beginning of another championship run. The question of who will claim the NBA championship this season has been on everyone's mind since opening night, and frankly, I'm starting to believe the Lakers might just have what it takes to go all the way. Their early performance reminds me of their 2020 championship season - that same defensive intensity combined with offensive firepower that makes them so dangerous when everything clicks.

Looking across the league, there are several legitimate contenders, but the Lakers' start stands out for specific reasons. Their defense has been nothing short of spectacular, holding opponents to just 98.5 points per game through these first two contests. Now I know it's early, and sample sizes matter, but when you watch how they're communicating on switches and closing out on shooters, there's a palpable energy that championship teams typically possess. Anthony Davis looks like the Defensive Player of Year version of himself, averaging 3.5 blocks already, while LeBron James continues to defy Father Time with his remarkable consistency. What really strikes me about this Lakers team compared to last year's squad is their improved depth - they're getting meaningful contributions from role players who understand their positions perfectly.

The Western Conference presents numerous challenges, of course. Denver remains dangerous with Jokic orchestrating their offense, Golden State still has that championship DNA, and Phoenix looks formidable with their star power. But here's what I've noticed after covering this league for fifteen years - championship teams often reveal themselves early through intangible qualities rather than just raw talent. The Lakers are playing with a connectivity that's rare this early in the season. Their ball movement has resulted in 28.5 assists per game, and they're shooting 48% from the field as a team. These numbers might not hold all season, but they indicate an unselfishness that separates good teams from great ones.

When I analyze championship contenders, I always look at how they perform in clutch situations, and the Lakers have been perfect in that department so far. They've closed out both games with poise and execution that you typically see from veteran teams that have been through battles together. Their net rating of +15.2 through two games leads the league, and while that's certainly unsustainable over 82 games, it demonstrates their potential ceiling. From my perspective, what makes this Lakers team different from last year's conference finals squad is their health and continuity. They returned about 85% of their roster while adding some key pieces that fit perfectly around their stars.

The Eastern Conference has its own compelling narratives, with Boston looking strong and Milwaukee adjusting to their new coach, but I genuinely believe the championship will run through Los Angeles if they maintain this level of play. Their size advantage creates mismatches against virtually every team, and their ability to score in the paint while defending the perimeter gives them a balanced attack that's difficult to game plan against. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who share my optimism about the Lakers' chances, with one veteran scout telling me just yesterday that he hasn't seen a Lakers team this locked in defensively since their championship season.

There are legitimate concerns, of course - LeBron's minutes need to be managed, the three-point shooting will likely regress somewhat, and the Western Conference is brutally competitive. But what I keep coming back to is their championship experience combined with their renewed defensive identity. The Lakers have won 7 championships in their franchise history, and this group seems to understand the weight of that legacy. Their start feels different from last year's 0-2 beginning, and the confidence they're playing with suggests they believe this is their year.

As we look ahead through the long NBA season, injuries and roster moves will inevitably shift the landscape, but based on what we've seen so far, I'm leaning toward the Lakers as my early favorite to win it all. Their combination of star power, defensive intensity, and improved depth creates a championship formula that's hard to bet against. The way they're sharing the basketball and competing on every possession tells me this isn't just another hot start - it's the beginning of something special. While other teams will certainly challenge them, and the marathon of an NBA season will test their resilience, I believe we might be watching the early stages of another Lakers championship run. Only time will tell if they can maintain this level, but from where I'm sitting, they've already established themselves as the team to beat.