Schedule Update, This is how Lakers schedule ranks in strength

Last season was a huge disappointment, last season as they finished with a pathetic record of 33 wins and 49 losses. That was despite being led by two NBA MVPs in LeBron James and Russell Westbrook and a All-star player in Anthony Davis. The team missed the playoffs as they finished 11th in the Western Conference. Now their new schedule is out, and it doesn't appear to be favourable to the 17-time champions.

The Lakers have the second most hardest games in the NBA with 24, only behind the Toronto Raptors with 25. However, Utah, Houston, Oklahoma, Denver and Phoenix also have 24 games against above .500 teams during the season. They have only four back to back games, which is the league's average (Spurs and Dallas have the least with 2). Also, they'll only have a one rest day advantage over 3 rest day disadvantages, which ranks second lowest in the West.

More Lakers News

The trade LeBron James needs to compete for a Championship

For Stephen A. Smith there's no rivalry in Los Angeles

Unfortunately for the Lakers, they have the West’s toughest post-break schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage .538. 14 of their 24 games are on the road, including a “road” game against the Clippers. It's worth noticing that also 16 of their first 20 games in the season are against teams in the Western Conference. This will define the type of season they'll have. If they get out of this stretch with .500 or above, they will have a huge chance to get to the playoffs.

Not everything is bad for the Los Angeles Lakers. They will have an easy break as they'll have a stretch right out of the break, when they play six of their first eight games against teams currently below .500. Also, let's not forget that the team will have 39 nationally televised games this season. That is second most in the season. Last year they had 42, which topped the league. Even without a competitive roster, the team is nationally claimed.

Three games that are a must what games.

Since before the full schedule was released, we already had some interesting games marked in our calendar. No one should miss the season opener against the defending champions Warriors on October 18th. Following the Warriors game, they'll have to play against the LA Clippers. This could be the game when they lose their losing streak against their city rival. And finally, the game against the team that ends up having Russell Westbrook on their roster.