Lakers

2021 NBA Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 8. Washington Wizards

Players to Watch: C Joel Embiid and G Russell Westbrook

Who Wins: 76ers in 5 games

4. New York Knicks vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Players to Watch: F Julius Randle and G Trae Young

Who Wins: Knicks in 6 games

3. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 6. Miami Heat

Players to Watch: F Giannis Antetokounmpo and F Jimmy Butler

Who Wins: Bucks in 7 games

2. Brooklyn Nets vs. 7. Boston Celtics

Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and F Jayson Tatum

Who Wins: Nets in 5 games

Western Conference

1. Utah Jazz vs. 8. Memphis Grizzlies

Players to Watch: C Rudy Gobert and G Ja Morant

Who Wins: Jazz in 6 games

4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Dallas Mavericks

Players to Watch: F Paul George and G Luka Doncic

Who Wins: Clippers in 7 games

3. Denver Nuggets vs. 6. Portland Trail Blazers

Players to Watch: C Nikola Jokic and G Damian Lillard

Who Wins: Nuggets in 6 games

2. Phoenix Suns vs. 7. Los Angeles Lakers

Players to Watch: G Devin Booker and F Anthony Davis

Who Wins: Lakers in 7 games

NBA Finals and Award Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Rookie – G Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves

Coach – Lloyd Pierce – Atlanta Hawks

Defensive Player – C Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat

Most Improved – G Markelle Fultz – Orlando Magic

Sixth Man – F Montrez Harrell – Los Angeles Lakers

Executive – Travis Schlenk – Atlanta Hawks

Playoffs Continue reading →

Pacific Division

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1. Los Angeles Lakers

As long as Anthony Davis stays healthy, they will be championship contenders for many years.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

After the way last season ended the only way to erase that memory is to make it to the Finals and win. Do they have it in them?

3. Phoenix Suns

Adding Chris Paul puts them in the ‘most interesting team to watch’ category in the Western Conference.

4. Golden State Warriors

Not having Klay Thompson does diminish the thought of contending for a title, but if Stephen Curry is healthy this roster has some good complimentary pieces in place.

5. Sacramento Kings

It is clear that De’Aaron Fox is the face of this franchise. Now will the rest of the roster take the next step with him? Continue reading →

2020 NBA Champions

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Well, you could make the case that it was meant to be when the Los Angeles Lakers made it to the Conference Finals with relative ease. On the other side the Miami Heat had an easy time until they got to the Conference Finals, but they certainly deserved to be in this position. If it was under normal circumstances, maybe Miami wouldn’t have made it this far and maybe the outcome would have been different. To me it doesn’t matter since the best team clearly was the Lakers. Continue reading →