MY MODEST EXPECTATIONS AS A LAKER FAN FOR '16-17 SEASON

Since the last playoff trip of the Lakers last 2013. Their season record were
2013-2014 27-55
2014-2015 21-61
2015-2016 17-65
2016-2017 ??-??

Needless to say, they miss the playoffs during those times (sigh)

This upcoming season will bring a new chapter to the illustrious NBA Franchise. With a new coach, an exciting roster of young and promising players, and the departure of the Laker great, Kobe Bryant, this season brings hope to the Lakers' loyal fan base that the team is headed into the right direction and back to being relevant in the league.

Year-in and Year-out, various rumors involving the Lakers are released to the public. Kevin Love going to the Lakers, Rondo going to the Lakers, Aldridge going to the Lakers, Durant going to the Lakers and so on and so forth. It is getting tiring but I must admit, it gets my hopes up a little bit.

That being said, I have a few expectations for my Lakers for this '16-17 season.

1. THE LAKERS WILL WIN 30 GAMES

The Lakers haven't won 30 games in a season since Kobe's Achilles injury. They should win at least 30 games or finish at least 12th in the West for them to show improvement and for them to show the top-tier Free Agents that they one or two piece away from going back to the Playoffs.

I see the Lakers back in the playoffs by 2018.

2. BRANDON INGRAM WILL STRUGGLE EARLY AND OFTEN IN THE SEASON BUT WILL STILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

D'Angelo Russell also struggled during the early stages of the season due to lack of playing time, poor defense and also because of turnovers. However, his performance in the 2nd half of the season was enough for him to belong to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd team.

Expect that Brandon Ingram will also struggle. He will be overpowered by the veteran bigs of the league early but once he get acclimated, he will flourish. The key is he should stay grounded and soak up as much knowledge as possible from Coach Luke and from the other veteran players in the roster just like what Kobe did to D'Angelo.

3. LARRY NANCE JR. WILL JOIN THE SLAM DUNK CONTEST

If not because of his injury, Larry should've joined last the Slam Dunk Contest against Aaron Gordon and Zach Levine.

Barring some serious injury, Larry Nance Jr. will showcase his hops and creativity in the Slam Dunk Contest

4. LAKERS WILL REVEAL THAT THEY WILL BE RETIRING BOTH KOBE'S JERSEY NUMBERS
If the City which you played for in the last 20 years named a day after you, I think that is enough proof that both of Kobe's number 8 and 24 should be retired. 
Kobe said it best when he said during one his interviews that
“if we do retire one number, it’s going to be very, very hard for someone else to wear the other.”