After one of the most exciting offseasons in recent memory this past summer, the NBA is shaping up to be filled with surprises and chaos in the burgeoning season.
This year has already been defined as the “Year of Duos.” The summer saw Anthony Davis and LeBron James team up on the Los Angeles Lakers, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George go to the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving head to the Brooklyn Nets, and Russell Westbrook join James Harden in Houston.
And these are just the headliners — there are even more elite duos, like Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis for the Dallas Mavericks, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic on the Denver Nuggets. Making predictions can be confusing with all these big names being thrown around; at its essence, though, this is the year of superstars pairing up to compete for a title.
Even these monumental moves, however, were perhaps not even the most exciting part of the offseason. Someone who may have taken away the spotlight was Zion Williamson, who is quite possibly the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James was drafted in 2003.
Coming out of Duke University, the 6-foot-6-inch, 285-pound juggernaut has been dominating opponents since high school and was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the first overall pick — and deservedly so. Williamson dominated in preseason, but we have not been graced by his presence yet in the regular season as he has been out with a torn lateral meniscus. The 2019 draft was also highlighted by standouts Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, just to name a few.
Yet this season has started off differently than fans of the past few seasons are used to. The Golden State Warriors — the same Warriors who have won three of the past five NBA Championships — have started 2–12, good for dead last in the Western Conference (though star guard Steph Curry has been out with a wrist injury.) The script has essentially been flipped; the formerly lowsome Lakers — now led by James, arguably the greatest player in NBA history — have taken over as the best team in the West thus far.
Other surprises include the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, who already sport great records in the Eastern Conference. Both made strong additions in the offseason in the form of Kemba Walker and Jimmy Butler, respectively.
All-Stars aside, some teams have emerged already as favorites for the title, and here are my power rankings for the best odds to win the chip this year.
I’ll start with my Honorable Mentions, the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets. Despite the fact that these two powerhouses are led by MVP candidates, I believe they’ll come up short. The Nuggets frankly do not have the experience, while the philosophy of Coach Mike D’Antoni of the Rockets will not be enough to take home the championship this year. Now on to my top five rankings.
At number five: the Milwaukee Bucks. Led by reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have looked strong thus far. Despite losing Macom Brodgon, an important supporting cast member from last season, they still have Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, and opposing teams will have to stop Giannis and force the Bucks’ supporting cast to take over. The Bucks are a solid contender in the East, and their title odds all depends on Giannis’s ability to carry them.
Next at number four: the Philadelphia 76ers. After a brutal loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals last year in a decisive seventh game by way of an incredible buzzer-beater shot from Leonard, this team has a chip on their shoulder and is ready to fight back. Led by Simmons and Embiid, the 76ers definitely have a solid shot to make it all the way this year, but it all depends on whether they can stay healthy and if Simmons can develop his jump shot and carry them down the stretch.
At number three: the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have started off hot, and with a newfound leader in point guard Walker, they are a team to watch out for in the Eastern Conference and my favorite to make it to the finals this year out of the East. They seem to be meshing better with Kemba at the helm and are stacked across the board. Fans should look out for Boston taking home the title this year.
Number two: the Los Angeles Clippers, home to one of those aforementioned duos. George and Leonard, supported by Montrezl Harrel and Lou Williams, form a simply unfair lineup. Leonard, coming off an NBA title, is hungry for another one. This team will be hard to stop, and it will come down to a showdown in Staples Center to determine which LA team is going to the finals.
That brings me to my favorite to win it all: the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite not being as strong as an all-around team as the Clippers, the Lakers are led by two of the best players in the world right now, Davis and James. I truly believe that it will be a showdown in LA for the Western Conference title.
This year may be one of the most exciting and surprising seasons of all time, and is surely going to be chaotic and dramatic. There are many stacked teams who look to be forces this year, but when it comes to a title prediction, there is no way I’m betting against the GOAT, Lebron James.
