Welcome back to our preview of the NBA (National Basketball Association) season! We now turn to the West Coast and see which one of these powerhouse teams has the best chances to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June 2022.
Los Angeles Lakers
The year 2020 seems like a long time ago, and yet also as if it was just yesterday. During this time, the Lakers championship team has completely changed its NBA season. Outside of Lebron James and Anthony Davis, only Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, and Talen Horton-Tucker remain. The new rotation includes faces such as Russell Westbrook, brought in to supercharge the offence and ease the burden on Lebron James, who is entering his nineteenth season. Despite a year plagued with illness and injury, the team has remained elite with their superstars on the floor. It is believed that so long as the group maintains their form, it should push for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
However, this team has several older members compared to other NBA teams, with five players aged thirty-five years or older and four more players aged thirty-two years or older. This team will not contend for a championship if they fail to invest in their younger players. Veteran experience and expertise are valuable, but the increased risk of injuries could result in the team fighting to remain healthy throughout their playoff push.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are the most frustrating teams in the league. After several promising outlooks suggesting a championship win, the team does not seem to have the depth to contend. Sure, the Clippers brought back Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum and were able to add Eric Bledsoe and Justise Winslow to strengthen their depth. And yes, Paul George did spectacularly well last playoffs averaging 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists to get the Clippers past the Utah Jazz, and the Suns, to six games. Perhaps this team can, indeed, make some noise if everything falls together and the team improves playmakers.
However, this team relies far too much on Kawhi Leonard to carry them throughout the playoffs. It is unclear when Kawhi will return from his ACL injury and whether his comeback will be a performance worthy of a two-time Finals MVP. Without the reliance of Kawhi, the Clippers’ ceiling drops significantly. The Clippers were a net negative when Kawhi was off the floor, and it will be difficult for Paul George to maintain top form throughout both the regular season and the playoffs. As a result, it is difficult to predict the Clippers’ performance. However, without a significant level of production from Kawhi Leonard this year, it will be very tough for the Clippers to make a substantial push throughout the playoffs.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors’ golden days may be over (or are they?). This team, led by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, remains one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. The Warriors outscored opponents by 7.6 points per 100 when Curry and Green shared the floor, and their net rating improved when they shifted to their small-ball lineup. Curry’s phenomenal performance during the pre-season and the first few games of the regular season will certainly help this team improve their offensive performance. With Andre Iguodala returning to the Warriors after a short stint with the Heat and with shooters Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica improving their game, this season’s team looks ready to make noise.
The big elephant in the room for this team is Klay Thompson. The question remains whether he will come back in full form this season after tearing both his ACL and Achilles, causing him to sit out of the NBA for more than two years. An elite form Klay Thompson can bring this team back into a championship contender, but with so much uncertainty to his status and condition, it is difficult to predict whether this team can make some noise during the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns won the West and continue to have their significant pieces. After winning the playoffs this year, it was clear they would make more progress. After re-signing Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Frank Kaminsky, and Abdel Nader, the team introduced a vast majority of players that knocked off both Los Angeles teams and swept the Nuggets en route to the first NBA Finals appearance in twenty-eight years. Even though the team ultimately didn’t get the top prize, it can punish the opposition through its elite offence of Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Outside of the Nets, this team has what it takes to win a championship so long as they continue their winning ways.
That being said, it could be argued that the team has had it easy, getting past injury-ridden Los Angeles teams. One could wonder if the team has what it takes to replicate their playoff success against healthy opposition. And while their performance has been spectacular these past two years, there is always a danger that the team’s elite point guard, Chris Paul, could begin to slow down at thirty-six years of age. An unavailable or lessened Chris Paul could put more of the offensive burden on Booker and hamper a Suns offence that is at its most effective when everyone is playing at their best.