Kobe Bryant has taken notice of exactly where the Lakers are being ranked in the Western Conference, at least in a preseason survey by ESPN.com.
12th I see..
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 14, 2013
Compiling the opinion of 215 contributors, ESPN ranked the Lakers after 11 teams including the New Orleans Pelicans (11th), Dallas Mavericks (9th) and Minnesota Timberwolves (8th).
The Oklahoma City Thunder project to finish first in the conference with a 58-24 record, followed by the Clippers with 57 wins. The website next lists the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and Pelicans.
The Lakers near the season with uncertainty given Bryant's Achilles injury. After surgery in April, it's unclear when he'll be ready to play and at what level. Pau Gasol and Steve Nash have also spent most of the summer recovering from injuries that plagued last year's 45-win season.
