Following the series of offseason moves that saw Anthony Davis team up with LeBron James for the Lakers and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George join forces with the Clippers, NBA fans and observers spent the next several months anticipating a season in which both Los Angeles teams were legit contenders for the first time in years.
Through the season’s first two months, those two clubs have actually exceeded expectations. The Lakers were expected to experience at least a few growing pains as they incorporated Davis and the rest of their newly-added rotation players, but there has been no adjustment period — the team has a 24-4 record and is on pace to win 70 games.
For the Clippers, George’s lingering shoulder issue and Leonard’s load-management plan were potential red flags, and there was a widespread belief that the club may not hit its stride until later in the season. That’s still possible, but the early results have been pretty impressive too. The 21-8 Clippers are on pace for 59 wins.
With the Nuggets and Jazz playing inconsistent ball and the Spurs and Trail Blazers off to disastrous starts, the Lakers and Clippers have emerged as the Western Conference’s most dominant teams so far in 2019/20. In fact, a panel of ESPN analysts and reporters polled on this season’s outcomes unanimously predicted that the two L.A. teams will meet in the Western Finals.
That ESPN poll included another interesting question, asking its panelists whether they’d bet on one of the two L.A. clubs or one of the NBA’s other 28 teams to win the 2019/20 title. Only 30.4% of respondents took the field, with the other 69.6% forecasting a championship for Los Angeles.
We want to know what you think. If you had to make a prediction today, would you pick a Los Angeles team to win this season’s title, or are you betting on the field? And if you’re taking one of the L.A. clubs, do you view the Lakers or the Clippers as the frontrunner?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!
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In reality there is only 4 teams going to win.
The Clippers Lakers Sixers and Bucks
Sixers won’t win they way they are playing now but they have the best starting 5 and match up really well against most teams. The Bucks will make the ECF and it’ll come down to can the Sixers handle Giannis.
I think the WCF will be huge. Kawhi and LeBron can step it up to another level which no player can match (other than Durant who’s injured) so to see those two going at it will be huge.
N there I think the Clippers have the stronger team but you can make the argument who in the Clippers can take on AD. He’s to big, to strong, to skilled for any of that roster. So that’ll be interesting
From there Kawhi has already taken down Giannis and Davis would do the same. Then both George or Bron would have their way against Middleton. Then there’s the Sixers. Who matches up against Embid on the Clippers? Who match’s up against Harris? Can Simmons step up and be consistent?
I think the Lakers take it out but I’m a Philly fan
Taking the Sixers over Boston and Houston huh? Yeah right.
Houston LMAO. Its the same story every season with them. Hardens style gets exposed in the playoffs every year. But kick the football charlie brown this year will be different with erratic Westbrook huh?
Wow. I really need to become a bookie. With that many people choosing 2 over 28, I’d make a killing.
Lol for real. Always take the field.
Funny how 1 injury can turn any top team into out of the playoffs. look how the Lakers couldn’t beat the Pacers last night without Davis. Clippers without Leonard wouldn’t make it in the playoffs either.
Lakers barley lost and the Pacers are a very good team. Clippers made the playoffs last year in a tougher west with no star. They would easily make it with George.
Pacers were without their best player too. So you can’t say pacers had a advantage. Just like last year GSW easily win the finals with no injuries. 2 stars out and they lose. part of being a championship team is no injuries.
Why did I have a feeling when the Lakers lose a game people would over analyze the snot out of it….. And behold it happened. Oh man they are only 24-4 now cancel the playoffs.
Oh no they lost a game where AD did the load management. Only 24-4 now. Cancel the playoffs
Just like last season when the Lakers started 17-10 and then fell completely apart when LeBron got hurt and ended up at 37-45.
When is the last time both LA teams were legit contenders? Hasn’t happened for as long as I can remember.
2006 when the Lakers blew a 3-1 lead. Had they won they would have met in the 2nd round.
Considering the Clippers have never even been to the WCF it’s fair to say they’ve never really been legit contenders. Even when they had CP3, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan they weren’t as good as this year’s team is with Paul George, Kawhi, et al.
LAL/LAC are the only teams who can win at this point in time. Sure it might be the Bucks, Sixers, or Raptors. But no other team in the West so I voted Yes. Heat & Pacers could contend for the title with the Hornets & Mavs being my wild-card all-contenders