After an NBA season for the ages, that concluded with the Lakers bringing home the title, the league will kick off a 72 game sprints as opposed to 82 games, beginning on December 22nd.
The postseason will feature two extra spots, and “Play-in round”. Each conference’s 7 and 8 seeds, would battle it out for the right to the higher seed, with the loser facing the winner 0f the 9 vs 10 game, in a win or go-home battle.
After taking a break from posting, we're back, and are here to preview the upcoming season, along with some reflection on the previous one. Today, our Western Conference power rankings.
1. LAKERS: 53-19
This offseason was a case of the rich getting richer, as the defending champions acquired reigning 6th man of the year Montries Harrel, signed Marc Gassol , Wesley Mathews and traded for young and upcoming Dennis Schroder from the Thunder for a first-round pick. Like Mike Breen said, “In a season unlike any other, the Lakers are your NBA Champions”. It truly was, as they went 52-19 in the regular season, and clinched the number 1 seed in the West three games into the bubble. After their meaningless 3-5 seeding game stint, they opened the postseason against the Portland Trailblazers, and after a shocking game 1 loss, Blazed past them with four straight wins. Then in round two, they lost the first meeting to the upstart Houston rockets, before once again rallying to win four straight. The Western Conference Final, saw La faceoff against the cinderella story in the Denver Nuggets, where the Lakers stopped the train,and led by their legendary duo in Anthony Davis, and LeBron James, booked a spot in the NBA Finals with a 117-107 game 5 win, which saw the Lakers celebrate a conference championship for the first time, since the “kobe days” in 2010. In the NBA finals, sporting their “black Mamba” jerseys, the Lakers ousted the feisty Heat in six games, to clinch their 17th title, with Lebron James netting his 4th ring. While many think it was solely James and AD(Who took home that elusive title he desperately coveted in New Orleans), their were others that stepped up for 2020 NBA champions. Schematically, Frank Vogol(1st championship), and Jason Kidd(1st championship as coach, won in 2011 with Mavs as players) kept this team together in the huddles, meanwhile veterans such as Jared Dundly(1st title), JR Smith(2nd title, won with cavs in 2016), Javale Mcgee(1st title), Rajon Rondo(2nd title, won with Celtics in 2008), Alex Caruso(1st title), Danny Green(1st title), Dwight Howard(1st title), and Kentan Caldwell-pope(1st title), as well as a young star in Kyle Kuzma(1st title), Quinn Cook (2nd title, won in 2018 with Warriors) led the Lakers to glory.
They may have lost Green to Atlanta, and Dwight and Rondo to Philly, but the acquisitions of Harell, and Schroder has made this team younger, and more lethal. I don’t see how they aren’t at the top of the West yet again, even though when they face off against the Clippers on December 22nd, they will be coming off the shortest offseason in NBA history at 71 days.
After all, there's a reason why 81% of NBA GM’s think the Lakers will win it all this season.
2. NUGGETS 50-22:
Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets went 46-27 (3-5 in the seeding games), to lock up the 3rd seed in the West. It was an ugly beginning to the postseason for Denver, as they fell in 3 of the first 4 games to the 6 seeded Utah Jazz, before Jokic and Murray rose the occasion, propelling the Nuggets to three straight wins, and a date with the powerhouse LA Clippers. When they got down 3-1 again, it seemed all but over for the Nuggets, as it looked as if this young team would fall in the 2nd round yet again, before Murray, and Jokic brought them back three separate times in game 5, and overcame a 22 point deficit in game 6, to force a winner-take-all game 7. That series finale, was a 104-89 blowout of the Clippers, as the Nuggets became the first team to ever rally from 3-1 deficits twice in the same postseason, let alone in two straight series. Unfortunately though for Nuggets fans, lightning didn’t strike a third time, as Denver got down 3-1 to the LAkers, before a 117-107 game five loss to the eventual champions in the Western Conference Finals (126-114,105-103(Where they got beat on an AD buzzer-beater), 114-106,114-108, 117-1017) ended their season. Nevertheless this team will only continue to grow stronger, and improve sp i have them at number two in the top-heavy Western Conference.
3. CLIPPERS 49-23:
The 49-23 regular season(5-3 in seeding games), the six game bout with Dallas, and the conference semi-final with the Denver Nuggets, was all supposed to be an appetizer compared to what was to come in the “Battle of LA”, and it sure looked that way, as LA had a 3-1 series lead over the Nuggets. But then something improple happened, as the Clippers chemistry issues were exposed, and they coughed up numerous leads, and eventually the series, losing in seven games ( 97-120, 110-101,107-113,85-96,111-105,111-98,104-89), and leaving the Orlando bubble stunned, and were left with an even more sour taste in their mouth a few weeks later, watching helplessly, as their rival Lakers lifted the championship trophy. It was on the players, specifically KAwhi Leanord, and Paul George to own up for this teams epic collapse, something they will try to avenge this season starting Tuesday against… you guessed it the Los Angeles Lakers. This past offseason, the team brought more championship pedigree, bringing in 2016 NBA champion coach Tyrone lue, and big man Serge Ibaka, so clearly this team i highly motivated, and i wouldn’t overlook them as a top team in the West once again.
4. MAVERICKS 45-27: What a 2020 season these guys had, and i wouldn’t blame you if you have Luka Donic as your MVP here for the 2021 season, due to the fact he does stuff like this( watch). Luka had a monster season for the Mavs, who went 43-32(3-5 in the seeding games), before bowing out in respectable fashion to the Clippers in the first-round of the playoffs(118-110, 114-127,130-122, 133-135 in OT, 154-111, 111-97). The question with this team is the health of kristaps porzingis, because a phenomenal as Luka Donic can be, he’s going to need some help here, if he would like to get to the top of the West. Otherwise, i’m excited for this tea, and if i were you, i would watch out for a vast improvement by the Mavericks this upcoming 2021 season.
5. Trail Blazers: 43-29 Led by damian Lillard, this team went 6-2 in the seeding games, and finished the regular season 35-39, to force a play-in game for the with seed, which Portland was victorious 126-122 over the Memphis Grizzlies. Although, they fell in five to the Lakers(93-100,111-88,116,108,135-115,131-122), this group will be back stronger than ever, led by Dame, Jusuf Nurkic, and CJ Mccolumn, as well as vetrean Carmelo Anthony.
6. SUNS 41-27 Their time has finally arrived, as the Suns can now be declared as a real playoff contender. Yes, if you’re an NBA fan you know about Devin Booker, but what you may have not known was how close the Phoenix Suns came to making the postseason. They went 8-0 in the bubble, and finished with a 34-39 record, but fell one game short of a postseason berth, with the Blazers and Grizzlies earning the rights to a play-in game. This past offseason, they got Booker help with the acquisition of Chris Paul, and Kelly Obrue, meaning this team is ready to make the jump to stardom, and I don't blame them. They may be the most intriguing team to watch this season.
7. JAZZ 38-24: I would like to address the elephant in the room here, with that 3-1 blown lead to denver, as that was absolutely devastating, but i think that seven game series loss(135-125OT,105-124,87-124,127-129,117-107,119-107,80-78), i think all but solidifies the fact that Donovan Mitchell, and Rudy Gobert can’t take the Jazz to the promise land alone, and they will need some help from jazz management. However, this team is still good enough to be a playoff team, so expect that out of them.
8. WARRIORS 36-36: It’s tough to digest the news that Klay Thomson will miss the season, due to an ACL tear, but Steph Curry is back from injury, and with a young core led by the second overall pick in James Wiseman, these Dubs can make some noise.
9. GRIZZLIES 35-37 The bubble was disappointing, as Memphis went 2-7, including the play-in game loss to Portland, but i believe they will be back led by reigning rookie of the year Ja Morant.
10. PELICANS 33-39 This is a team that can make some noise if Zion, and the core can stay healthy. While Jrue Holiday to the Bucks was a tough loss, i believe this squad can absorb it, especially if Zion Williamson can stay on the floor, with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and others.
11. ROCKETS 31-41 No i’m not joking, i believe this team will be that bad. Yes, last season this team went 44-28,and defeated the five seeded thunder in a seven game classic, before falling to the Lakers in five games (97-112,117-109,112-102,110-100,119-96). However, the events that have transpired this past offseason, with superstar and franchise star James Harden requesting a trade, and even turning down a deal worth $50 million a year from Houston for emphasis, this team looks headed to the league basement,despite the acquisition of John Wall. I’mconfident, that by thetimethe postseason rolls around, Houston will have officially closed their championship window, and began a rebuild.
12.SPURS 30-42 It finally happened,as this team missed the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.They’re likely to start a new streak of at least multiple seasons without making the playoffs,as they head into rebuild mode. Players to watch you ask?Lamrcus Aldridge, and Demar Derozan, with the question being can they stay healthy,for if it happens, this team may be in the conversation fora play-in berth, but right now i don’t see it.
13.KINGS 29-43 This team has let me down every year, for the past few years.Yes, they have Dearone Fox, but at what point will he get the help he needs to be good.
14.TIMBERWOLVES 28-44: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Twons,and Deangelo Russel may be bthe best young trio in the league. There I said it. However,this team doesn’t have enough to compete in a stacked Western Conference.
15.THUNDER 26-46 OKC is the best team i’ve ever seen...at acquiring draft picks.
This offseason, “Kelly Obrue was acquired by the Golden State Warriors(Later flipped to the Suns) from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for: a conditional 2021 1st round pick (GOS own), a 2021 2nd round pick (DEN own), a 2021 2nd round pick (MIN own) and a TPE.”_realgm.com
OKc now has “A grand total is now officially 16 first-round picks and 13 second-round picks through the 2027 draft, where most teams would normally only have seven of each.-Nba.com
I have one word for that, amazing.
So OKC fans, i hoped you enjoyed that 2020 44-28 campaign that resulted in a tough seven game series loss to the Rockets (123-108,111-98,107-119(OT),114-117,114-80,100-104, 104-102), which saw a young team led by veterean Chris Paul, show some bright spots,with Shae-Gilgeous Alexander,and Luiss Dort(42 points in game 7), opening eyes everywhere around Thunder nation.
LAKERS 2021 PUMP UP VIDEO:
Anthony Davis GAME-WINNER:
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