All the banners that hang high above the LA Lakers home court don’t mean anything.

Neither does the roster laden history that brought us George Mikan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Shaq O’Neill.

This year’s streaky season has brought us the heroics of the greatly skilled Luka Doncic.  We have seen what might be the farewell tour of LeBron James.  And the arrival of soon to be free agent star Austin Reaves.

But we have also seen horrible blowout losses.  Bad losing streaks.  Disgraceul defenses.  Erratic play from D’Andre Ayton and Rui Hachimura.  It also includes a poor bench and a recent draft history of failure of the front office.

So past history does not mean much this evening in Oklahoma City, and this LA team hasn’t done well vs the Thunder this year either.

The boxscores don’t lie.

OKC has beaten LA 4-straight this year.  Average margin of victory is (29P) per game.  Yes, (29) against the legendary Lakers.

Shai Alexander-Gilegous is glorious.  Chet Holmgren is one of the best big men without accolades.  Jalen Williams, though hurt right now, is as explosive as anyone.  The bench is superb.

And the Thunder numbers don’t lie.  They are (68-18) this year.  Averaging (119P) a game on offense.  Number 1-on defense (106P).  They allow teams to shoot just (43%) from the floor too.

How are the Lakers going to survive this?

They did beat Houston, as King James willed them to wins.  But the Rockets self destructed on offense, did not have much from Kevin Durant, and Coach Ime Udoka’s in game strategies had to be questioned.  The Rockets wasted a year of good young talent.

So here comes what might be a new dynasty if they go get another crown.  

Oklahoma City has been spectacular.  Just ask LeBron how good they are after this first game.

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