Los Angeles Lakers: 5 positive takeaways from first quarter of season

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: The Los Angeles Lakers stand with locked arms during the National Anthem prior to the start of their NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 22, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: The Los Angeles Lakers stand with locked arms during the National Anthem prior to the start of their NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 22, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 positive takeaways from first quarter of season
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 22: The Los Angeles Lakers stand with locked arms during the National Anthem prior to the start of their NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 22, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Check out our slideshow breaking down five positive takeaways for the Los Angeles Lakers through the first quarter of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the quarter pole mark of the 2017-18 regular season. The Lakers have a record of 8-13, but they are right on the edge of the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

The Western Conference has not yet been as dominant as many people projected it to be. As a result, the Lakers are only two games out of the eighth seed. While some people were hoping for better results, the Lakers have as many victories as the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. They also have a better record than the Memphis Grizzlies.

While the Lakers are under .500, there is a lot to like about the team. The effort has not been lacking. It is something the Lakers have shown throughout the season, which is refreshing. While they are losing more than they are winning, they compete every night with hustle and energy. The youth also provides a lot of hope for the future.

The young players are coming together and developing with each passing game, and the team has been a lot of fun to watch. For example, the Lakers may have lost to the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, but they showed a lot of heart and competitiveness giving the Warriors all they could handle before losing in overtime.

As a result, there have been plenty of things to like thus far this season. Check out our slideshow of five positives for the Lakers thus far through the first quarter of the season.