Western Conference Winner
DJ: Los Angeles Clippers
Despite the narrative that the Lakers had a better offseason, I think that Serge Ibaka is a much more impactful player than Montrezl Harrell, and that Luke Kennard is a huge upgrade over Landry Shamet, and to be able to land him in what was essentially a straight swap was a robbery for the Clippers.
JT: Los Angeles Lakers
When you have Lebron James and Anthony Davis you don’t rebuild you reload and they did exactly that. Adding Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol, and Wesley Matthews. Defensively this front court is the best in the NBA by A LOT.
MO: Los Angeles Lakers
The Laker build even more on the championship team they had last season. They really upgraded their depth with Dennis Schroder, Montrez Harrell, and Marc Gasol. They really reloaded their team in preparation to run it back.
PF: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won the championship in the bubble last season led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Well the Lakers got even better over the shortened offseason. 6th man of the year Montrezl Harrell switched Staples Center locker rooms as he jumped from the Clippers to the Lakers. L.A. also added Dennis Schroder and Marc Gasol to an already loaded lineup. LeBron isn’t getting any younger, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in his 17-year career, so why start now. The Lakers are head and shoulders above any other Western Conference team to start the season. As long as everyone stays healthy and limits load management, L.A. should easily win 60 games in this shortened 72-game season.
PL: Los Angeles Lakers
As much as I would want some variation on who makes the NBA finals, the Lakers are a team that somehow got better from their championship run last season. They added Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell who were both in the running for 6th man of the year. They also added veteran Marc Gasol. The lakers team that won 52 games last season has certainly improved more than they declined this offseason.
Final count: Los Angeles Lakers 4, Los Angeles Clippers 1