NBA Power Rankings: Each Team’s Starting 5 On Paper

Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

26. Los Angeles Lakers

Starting Five: D’Angelo Russell, Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Julius Randle, Roy Hibbert 

Starting Five Rating: 15

I have no idea what we’re going to see from the Lakers this season, but I know it isn’t going to be great or successful right away, which makes this ranking just about right.

Much like the Pacers, there are plenty of “ifs” on this Lakers starting five in order to have them any higher. Is Kobe going to look like the Kobe before his injuries? Probably not. But, if he’s even 80 percent of that Kobe, he’s still going to be a good NBA player. Also, what are we going to see from their two “rookies” in Russell and Randle?

Will Hibbert bounce back from a rough season?

Too many questions and I just don’t have the answers right now.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves