Jay Williams: Lakers ‘can win a world championship’

With LeBron James finally back after missing a month with a right foot tendon injury, the Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to start taking off.

They showed some glimpses of what they’re capable of being on Wednesday when they defeated the Chicago Bulls on the road, 121-110. It wasn’t their absolute best game, but they did look impressive at times against a team that had out-hustled them just three days earlier.

Los Angeles outrebounded the Bulls by 13, and while James looked good, it got 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting from Anthony Davis, as well as 19 points, five assists and a “too small” gesture directed at Patrick Beverley from Austin Reaves.

A growing number of people are seeing lots of potential in this current iteration of the Lakers, and that includes former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Jay Williams, who said they could win the world championship, possibly as soon as this season.

The Lakers currently hold eighth place in the Western Conference, and a big key to their newfound success of late is their defense, which has been one of the league’s best over the last several weeks. In addition, newcomer D’Angelo Russell has elevated their level of play.

Their best shot at winning it all will likely be next season, assuming they retain enough of their current players, when they will have a full training camp together. But with how wide-open the West is right now, anything is technically possible this spring.

More Latest Lakers News!

Bill Simmons: LeBron James will join Draymond Green on the Mavericks

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire