“Lakers Doubted Again: ESPN’s Preseason Power Rankings Spark Outrage in L.A. — But Could the Hate Be Fuel for a Purple & Gold Revenge Tour?”
The 2025-26 NBA season hasn’t even tipped off yet, but the first shots have already been fired — and they came from ESPN’s preseason power rankings, which placed the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 10 behind teams like the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets.
In most cities, this might be shrugged off as preseason banter. But in L.A., where basketball expectations are practically stitched into the city’s skyline, this felt personal.
🔥 “It’s Disrespect, Plain and Simple”
Social media erupted the moment the rankings dropped. Hashtags like #LakersHateAgenda and #ESPNBias began trending within hours. Some fans posted side-by-side comparisons of championship banners. Others cited playoff stats. And many pointed directly at the analysts.
“We’ve got LeBron James still playing at an All-NBA level, Anthony Davis in his prime, and a new frontcourt partner in Deandre Ayton — and they put us 10th?” said one prominent Lakers podcast host. “This isn’t analysis. This is vendetta.”
Even Lakers GM Rob Pelinka reportedly addressed the ranking behind closed doors, calling it “external noise that will be dealt with internally — and emphatically.”
🏀 What ESPN Got “Wrong” (According to Lakers Nation)
LeBron James returns for his 23rd season after a wildly efficient 2024-25 campaign, where he averaged 25.4 points and 7.9 assists while missing only six games.
Anthony Davis is coming off a year in which he played 74 games and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
Then there’s the offseason overhaul. The Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton in a trade that bolstered their rebounding and interior presence. They also re-signed Austin Reaves, brought back D’Angelo Russell on a team-friendly deal, and added veteran shooting to address a major weakness.
Still, they were ranked behind the Clippers, a team that just lost Paul George.
Make it make sense.
📉 Motivation or Misdirection?
For all the anger, some Lakers insiders are embracing the slight.
“It’s almost better this way,” said a team staffer anonymously. “When they doubt us, LeBron plays with that chip. AD locks in. The whole locker room gets tighter.”
One person who definitely noticed the ranking? Head coach Darvin Ham. After practice Tuesday, he was asked about the ranking and paused before answering:
> “We’ve seen this movie before. They write us off in the fall. We write our legacy in the spring.”
⚠️ A Season to Watch
With their stars healthy, role players improved, and their sights set on Banner 18, the Lakers have all the tools for a deep playoff run. Whether or not the ESPN ranking reflects that isn’t the point anymore.
Because for the Lakers, the mission is simple:
Prove everyone wrong — again.
And in Hollywood, there’s no better storyline than revenge.
#LakeShow #ProveThemWrong #NBA2025 #LakersRevengeTour
