The Los Angeles Lakers have a fresh and different feel in 2024-25 with JJ Redick as the new head coach. They got off to a hot 3-0 start before losing two-straight games, but LeBron James and company were able to get things back on track on track on Friday night when they picked up a 131-125 win against the Toronto Raptors.

One of the big reasons for the Lakers’ early-season success has been Anthony Davis. Davis has been one of the best players in the NBA for a while, but he looks like a true MVP candidate through six games.

Perhaps the best news for the Lakers is the fact that LeBron James hasn’t even gotten going yet even as the team is winning. James had a good night against the Raptors — 27 points and 10 assists — but he came into the game averaging just 21 points and almost seven assists per game.

With Anthony Davis playing like an MVP candidate, the Lakers will be extremely tough to beat on a nightly basis. Once James gets fully back into the swing of things, they have a chance to seriously contend for a top-six seed in the Western Conference.

Outside of Oklahoma City, a lot of the conference’s top teams have been struggling to start this season, so it’s not out of the question that the Lakers could sneak into that conversation.