The 2019-2020 NBA season is nearly set to tip off with the Toronto Raptors as the defending champions. However the loss of Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers puts them in the middle of the pack for chance to repeat. Perennial Western Conference winners, the Golden State Warriors are a year older and have lost DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Durant. Still a strong team, their best days are most clearly behind them. So who will emerge as the front runners this season?
The top two contenders could very well be from Los Angeles, as the Clippers and Lakers significantly upgraded from last season. The Clippers went 48-34 last season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Warriors. Adding perhaps the two best players this offseason in Leonard and Paula George, the Clippers have added nearly 55 points and 15 points per game. Add in 20 points per game from sixth man Lou Williams and the depth that includes Landry Shamet, JaMychal Green, Patrick Beverley and Ivan Zubac and the Clippers are the favorites to come out of the Western Conference.
The Lakers may have something to say as to the best team in Los Angeles. LeBron James has significant help up front with the addition of Anthony Davis, who averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds per game last season with New Orleans. Rajon Rondo missed 36 games and Dwight Howards missed 73 games last season and James missed 27. That contributed to a 37-win season, far out of the playoff picture. Add in Kyle Kuzma’s 18.7 points per game and the addition of Danny Green from Toronto and Quinn Cook from the Warriors and the Lakers could push for one of the top seeds in the conference.
In the East, the Bucks are the favorites after finishing first last season in the conference with 60 wins. Although they lost in the conference finals to the Raptors, the team has a year more experience, which can do wonders. Giannis Antetokounmpo could be even better than his 27.7 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists last season. Khris Middleton had a breakout season last year earning an All-Star appearance. Wesley Matthews was added to the depth which already includes Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez, George Hill and Ersan Ilyasova. Expect the Bucks to be a force that could make the NBA Finals.
Although strong last season with a third seed in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Raptors in the conference semifinals. Joel Embiid averaged 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds last season and has come into this season 20 pounds lighter and reportedly in excellent condition. Ben Simmons is a triple-double waiting to happen. The 76ers added a key piece in power forward Al Horford, who can spell Embiid in the middle. Josh Richardson was added to replace the departed JJ Redick. Richardson is solid offensively, averaging 16.6 per game last season. Tobias Harris completes perhaps the deepest starting five in the East. Add in Mike Scott and James Ennis off the bench and the 76ers will be team to contend with.
The very early forecast is for the Clippers to come out of the West and the Bucks to come out of the East. In a bit of a fairytale ending, Kawhi Leonard walks away with his second title in as many years with different teams in a different conference. Of course, injuries and other factors play a part in what is generally a wild and wacky NBA season. Sit back and enjoy the ride!