The Los Angeles Lakers are the best team in the Western Conference, and they are a heavy favorite to capture the franchise's first NBA title since 2010.

But controlling owner Jeanie Buss is just excited to see the team back in the playoffs.

Buss said Lakers fans “deserve” to see their team play in April and May (and possibly beyond) for the first time since 2013 (via Christian Rivas of SB Nation):

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been in the playoffs. We were talking about how nice it is to have that anticipation of finally being back in the conversation of the NBA, and being able to compete at a high level. Being first in the Western Conference, it’s very exciting. And Lakers fans deserve it, and here we are.”

Buss found herself back in the headlines last year, when the Lakers experienced plenty of internal turmoil.

Former president and Laker legend Magic Johnson abruptly left his post without telling anyone in the organization, including Buss.

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The offseason was subsequently followed by questions surrounding Kurt Rambis' involvement with the franchise as well as purported riffs between Buss, Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka.

But Buss showed faith in Pelinka by elevating him to Johnson's old role, a move that has immediately paid dividends. Pelinka was able to make the move for Anthony Davis, filling out the roster by signing veterans like Danny Green and Dwight Howard, among others.

As a result, the Lakers are back in the title picture. Los Angeles have won nine of their last 10 after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, and both Davis and LeBron James are kicking into high gear.

The Staples Center should provide for a raucous environment in the next few months.