1. The Los Angeles Lakers have far more NBA title experience
Having LeBron James is naturally going to give the Los Angeles Lakers the edge in experience as LeBron is arguably the second most experienced player in league history behind Bill Russell. Sure, he has only won four titles, but he has been to 10 (and counting).
It is more than just LeBron, though. The supporting cast around LeBron has title experience because of the run last season. While new faces such as Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell do not have experience, the likes of Anthony Davis, Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Markieff Morris and even Talen Horton-Tucker have experience.
Marc Gasol has title experience as well after his run with the Toronto Raptors two seasons ago.
There really are not many other players in the Western Conference that have that title experience, largely because the Golden State Warriors dominated the conference for half a decade.
The only exception is Kawhi Leonard, Rajon Rondo and Serge Ibaka on the Clippers but that is really it for them. We all know what happens to Paul George in the playoffs and none of the other role players have been part of a title run.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have insane experience but they are not legitimate contenders. The Utah Jazz have not made a Conference Finals, the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers have made just one and the Phoenix Suns’ veteran leader, Chris Paul, has never played in the NBA Finals.