LeBron’s Lakers load up for a run at a repeat
LeBron James barely had time to put down his latest trophy before having to start defending it.
It was an extremely short offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, who won their 17th NBA championship on Oct. 11. That didn’t leave much time for rest and relaxation before getting back to work in advance of their Dec. 22 season opener.
But it was long enough to load up for a run at a repeat.
Besides signing James and fellow superstar Anthony Davis to contract extensions, the Lakers added Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder, who finished 1- 2 last season in voting for the Sixth Man Award. Former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol now mans the middle and Wesley Matthews will be counted on to knock down the open shots created by James, who led the league last season in assists.
That has the Lakers looking like the favorites to remain the best in the West and perhaps the whole NBA, which would break a tie with Boston to make them the winningest franchise in league history. James won back- to- back titles in Miami and understands the difficulty in trying to stay on top.
“I guess the bull’s- eye just becomes even greater, even if that’s even possible,” said James, beginning his 18th season. “For me personally, the bull’s- eye has always been on my back, or my front, since I entered the league and then you add in the Laker name on top of that. The Lakers franchise, the bull’s- eye has been on this franchise for a long time as well.
“So understanding that everyone’s going to come at us, everyone’s going to try to take away from us defending our title. But for me personally, last year we won the ring, we won a title and this year is a new challenge.”
A look at the West, in predicted order of regularseason finish:
PLAYOFF- BOUND
1. Los Angeles Lakers: Once LeBron James had his grip on the Eastern Conference title in 2011, he held onto it for eight years, so it won’t be easy for any West team to snatch it from him.
2. Denver: The Nikola Jokic- Jamal Murray combination could be the envy of many teams for years.
3. Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George will have to shake off an ugly ending to last season when they start up again under new coach Tyronn Lue.
4. Portland: Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum might finally have the health and talent in their frontcourt to allow the Trail Blazers to play like they did in the bubble all season.
5. Utah: The Jazz have shooting outside, Rudy Gobert inside, and Donovan Mitchell to do it all on nights when those things aren’t good enough.
6. Phoenix: Undefeated run in the bubble followed by the acquisition of Chris Paul has the Suns thinking big.
7. Dallas: Luka Doncic might very well win the MVP award, but Kristaps Porzingis needs to stay healthy to be in the lineup with him for the Mavericks to win much more than that.
8. Houston: Could finish much higher — or lower — depending on what happens with the James Harden situation that lingers over coach Stephen Silas’ first season.
IN THE MIX
9. New Orleans: The Pelicans have Zion Williamson from the start of the season this time as they begin play under new coach Stan Van Gundy.
10. Golden State: Stephen Curry will try to shoot the Warriors back into the playoffs, but it won’t be easy with Klay Thompson set to miss a second consecutive season with an injury.
11. Memphis: Rookie of the Year Ja Morant and the Grizzlies won’t sneak up on anyone like they did last season in a surprising run that nearly netted them a playoff spot.
FACING LONG ODDS
12. Sacramento: De’Aaron Fox will have the Kings playing fast and fun, but it takes a little more than that to contend in the West.
13. Minnesota: KarlAnthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell are proven players, but it might take No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards time to make an NBA impact with such little preparation time.
14. San Antonio: Seems strange starting any season without slotting San Antonio into a playoff spot, but Gregg Popovich’s Spurs are no longer the surest thing in the NBA.
15. Oklahoma City: The Thunder are stocked with future draft picks, but that’s not going to do them any good on the court now.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two- time reigning MVP. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant is a two- time NBA Finals MVP and about to get back on the floor after recovering from injury. Washington’s Russell Westbrook is still a triple- double machine. Boston’s Jayson Tatum signed an extension this offseason that could pay him close to $ 200 million over five years.
And none of them even play for the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Miami Heat were the best of the East last season, NBA finalists for the first time since 2014 and bring back almost all their top players from a year ago, yet they’re still bracing for what could be a very intense race this season. That speaks to how good the depth in the East will be, with the Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Toronto and Philadelphia all joining Miami as legitimate conference contenders entering the season.
All six of those teams are unquestionably good but at least two won’t win a single playoff series.
“The competition is really good in the East,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Our guys understand that, and that’s the job of the coaching staff, to figure out where we can improve.”
A look at the East, in predicted order of regularseason finish:
PLAYOFF- BOUND
1. Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo is now signed for years to come, the Bucks added Jrue Holiday and they’re in line to be the first East team to earn the No. 1 seed in three consecutive years since Chicago in 1996- 98.
2. Boston: Kemba Walker’s knee remains a bit of a concern and Gordon Hayward has moved on to Charlotte. That said, Boston and coach Brad Stevens have more than enough — Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart — to contend once again.
3. Brooklyn: The waiting is over and it’s time to see Kevin Durant in a Nets uniform. New coach Steve Nash has assembled a starstudded staff of assistants and Durant, Kyrie Irving and the very underrated sharpshooter Joe Harris should click quickly.
4. Miami: The defending East champs will miss Jae
Crowder, but their young core led by Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson could and should get even better. Point guard Goran Dragic in the sixthman role clearly worked wonders last season.
5. Toronto: It’s starting as a season of change for the Raptors, who’ll play in Tampa. Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam are back, Fred VanVleet is signed, and if new bigs Aron Baynes and Alex Len fit quickly, Toronto will be fine.
6. Philadelphia: It was an offseason of big moves — Doc Rivers, Daryl Morey, trading Josh Richardson and Al Horford — and the 76ers look better on paper. But what still has to be proved is whether Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid truly work together.
7. Atlanta: The Hawks are all- in on making a playoff run and added plenty of shooting with Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic. The biggest addition: Adding Rajon Rondo as the veteran voice in the locker room and a mentor to Trae Young.
8. Washington: Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal, if healthy, aren’t going to be the backcourt that misses the playoffs. Reuniting Westbrook with coach Scott Brooks was a genius move by general manager Tommy Sheppard. The question will be whether Washington can defend.
IN THE MIX
9. Indiana: The Pacers have made the playoffs in each of the last five seasons and lost in the first round every time. Victor Oladipo’s future remains a big question. Indiana is certainly playoff- capable, but it’s hard to see a major forward.
10. Orlando: There are very good pieces here, led by Nikola Vucevic. But not having Jonathan Isaac this season is going to seriously hurt, and Cole Anthony’s learning curve will be steep without the benefit of summer league and a full offseason.
11. Chicago: The Bulls haven’t had more than 27 wins in any of the last three seasons. If new Chicago coach Billy Donovan changes that, it’ll be a good year for the Bulls. Coby White’s development could dictate how the season goes.
FACING LONG ODDS
12. Charlotte: Lottery pick LaMelo Ball seems NBA- ready and the Hornets have plenty of other young pieces that they like. The Hornets simply couldn’t shoot or score well enough to consistently compete last season; will have to wait and see whether those numbers can change after a nine- month layoff.
13. Cleveland: Depth is a huge question, but Kevin Love can still score, Andre Drummond can still rebound and the super- young backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland will be fun to watch. Rookie Isaac Okoro’s motor will quickly earn him respect.
14. New York: It’s going to get better with coach Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose overseeing everything. It’s also going to take some time before it gets good again at Madison Square Garden. Obi Toppin’s development this year must be priority No. 1.
15. Detroit: Derrick Rose is a former MVP, Blake Griffin a six- time All- Star, Wayne Ellington still one of the best shooters walking the earth, Rodney McGruder is of the highest character and toughness. But it’s tough to see the Pistons winning much.