Many believe that Season 2019-20 of the NBA will be defined by the actions in the Western Conference, specifically in Los Angeles, where the two teams to duke it out for a finals berth are located. Yes, the Lakers and the Clippers will never meet at the 2020 Finals, but one of them is tipped to make the cut and likely to win the title.
Both clubs are with a deep bench, and it might be that the Lakers are heavily favored on account of LeBron James' presence. But one has to remember that James was already around when the Lakers bowed out of the regular season last, failing for the sixth time to make the playoffs.
The Gold and Purple, however, went on a rebuilding mission and acquired Anthony Davis. AD is currently regarded as the best center in the league and the Lakers having him meant gaining significant firepower from the inside and a wall of defense at the same time, Fansided Media reported.
The Lakers' front office also added Dwight Howard and Danny Green to the mix, which translated to an upgraded defense for the club, presumably in preparation when facing teams like the Clippers, whose shooting might have dramatically increased with the arrival of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Now the Leonard-George tandem is certainly fearsome, but the Lakers have something good going for them.
"They still have LeBron James leading them on both ends of the court. Their shooting isn't as good as the Clippers, but having LeBron and AD running the offense can prove to be beneficial," per the same report.
Then there's the strong likelihood of adding another talent, an old one, with proven capability to lend scoring muscle. That would be Jordan Clarkson, who might return to LA through a midseason trade that the Lakers will initiate, Fadeaway World reported.
"The Lakers would have to include multiple contracts to get this deal to work and could maybe send Rajon Rondo, Jared Dudley, and Talen Horton-Tucker as the package if the Rondo experiment does not work, and they need a scoring guard, which Clarkson is," said the same report.
Still, the Clippers have a slight edge over the Lakers, mainly on the strength of the Leonard-PG duo. Individually, the tandem boast of shooting percentage that is the envy of opposing teams, not to mention any of the two's ability to sink threes during clutch time.
Most importantly, the Clippers can rely on the presence of role players such as Landry Shamet, Lou Williams, and Patrick Beverley - all of whom can be tapped to deliver the points when needed. So this LA team has a better chance of winning an NBA title this season, but the Lakers can do it, and re-acquiring Clarkson from the Cleveland Cavaliers will be a major boost.
