1. Los Angeles Clippers
Last season’s record and finish: 48-34, 8th place, 1st round of playoffs
Key Returning Players: Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac, JaMychal Green, Landry Shamet
Key Departing Players: Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Key Newcomers: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George
Last season the Clippers were known as a gritty, over-achieving team, one that battled the heavily favored Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. But in the offseason, they acquired Finals MVP Leonard and George, two of the best two-way players in the NBA and each among the top 10 players overall.
As a result, the Clippers are widely considered to be one of the favorites to win the title. To do so, they’ll have to reverse the team’s checkered history in which they have never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs.
George is recovering from surgery, and won’t be ready to start the season, so the team might take a little time to click on all cylinders. Additionally, he and Leonard have somewhat similar skills that are not as immediately complementary as Davis and James’ are.
But the team does have Williams, the defending and three-time Sixth Man of the Year. An offensive machine, his scoring production usually, but not always, makes up for his lack of defense. Last year he formed a deadly combination off the bench with Harrell.
Aside from Williams, the defense should be a team strength. But like every other team, they could be vulnerable trying to defend Davis and James. And they lack a true rim protector.
Bottom line: the Clippers should have as good a chance as any team at advancing to the Finals. But it won’t be easy, and the battle for LA supremacy could well decide not only which team advances to the Finals, but which wins the NBA title.
Conclusion
The competition in the Western Conference this season will be fierce. But behind the one-two punch of Davis and James, assuming both are healthy for the playoffs, the Lakers are capable of beating all their rivals and winning the championship.
All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com