Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball is not lacking confidence when it comes to his team's chances of making the NBA playoffs this coming season. The Lakers have an exciting roster, which could easily overcome the odds and be a positive surprise next season. The Lakers have one of the best young cores in the league, led by back-to-back No. 2 picks Ball and Brandon Ingram. The team also added former All-Star center Brook Lopez and rising two-way guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason.

The Lakers have hit a dark drought of four years without a postseason appearance.

The Lakers' last playoffs appearance is dating back to 2013. Back then, the team was led by the now-retired Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, as well as the new Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard. It would be a big achievement for this Lakers team to end the drought next year. However, it will be a tough task, as the Western Conference is stacked with talent and good rosters.

"I think we have a good chance to make the playoffs. That’s the main goal and I think we should come together as one collective unit and try to get that done," Ball told David Gottlieb and Matt Cummings, per Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation.

Ball excited

Former UCLA standout Ball is "looking forward" to his NBA regular season debut.

The Lakers are scheduled to meet city rivals Los Angeles Clippers in the season opener. The Lakers are listed as hosts for the game scheduled to held Oct. 19 at Staples Center. The Lakers beat the Clippers on Christmas Day last year but lost the remaining three encounters. Overall, the Lakers haven't had much success against their city rivals in recent years.

Ball claimed "it's going to be really cool" as he looks forward to the game. "Looking forward to having a lot of fun this year," he also added.

The Lakers set to improve defensively

Lakers forward Corey Brewer has told Spectrum SportsNet he expects his team to improve on the defensive end this season, per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.

The Lakers were statistically the worst team on the defensive end last season. The team has struggled on that side of the floor for a couple of years now.

However, there is a reason to believe in Brewer's claims. Caldwell-Pope is known as a good perimeter defender, while recent signing Andrew Bogut has always been a good rim defender. The young core is also expected to be putting in efforts next campaign as they are eager to prove themselves to coach Luke Walton and the front office.
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