No, but I don't think chemistry will be enough to take a bunch of washed players to the championship again. Don't get me wrong, I think it is really cool that a bunch of players get to play with their really good friends. I just don't think the talent they brought in in the off season (Russ, Dwight Howard, Melo, DeAndre Jordan) is a good fit. For example, LeBron needs the ball in his hands and for some reason they think bringing in Russell Westbrook, a point guard who also needs the ball in his hands to be even slightly effective, was a good idea.
In the much tougher Western Conference, I think the Lakers will make the playoffs but certainly in the bottom half of the bracket.
They have looked very suspect, it took a huge performance from Melo in the 4th last night to give them a chance to win and they still almost blew it but lucked out that Ja missed his third from the line. Not a great squad in my opinion
I still think they could be a great team this year, they just need a few weeks to get it together. If Westbrook is as talented as many people (including myself) think he is, he will eventually find a way to help the team.
But I agree, the Western Conference seems even tougher than usual this year.