It seems like just yesterday fans were getting excited over the NBA season resuming at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Commissioner Adam Silver and his team of executives put together a plan to play through the COVID-19, and many were unsure if it would succeed. Despite this, we were able to enjoy an exciting NBA Playoff that saw LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers bringing home the title.
Now, just four short months later, the 2021 season is in full swing and it’s time to start thinking about what team is going to win it all this year. Below is my list for the top five teams with the best chance at bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy
- Los Angeles Lakers
The winners of last years’ NBA Finals are back and even better than they were last season. With key additions such as reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell and Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Dennis Schroder, the Lakers have added an insane amount of offensive firepower to their roster. This, coupled with LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing as well as they ever have, leaves very few holes in a team that seems destined to win back-to-back titles.
2. Utah Jazz
I might be placing the Utah Jazz too high here, but they have been good this season. Really good. The Jazz were already one of the best defensive teams in the league last season, but it seems they have finally hit their groove on offense as they have become the best shooting team in the league. If they can keep it up, I don’t know if there are any other teams out there that can beat Utah in a seven-game series.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Since acquiring James Harden, the Nets have achieved an offensive rating that would be the best of all time if the season ended today. The Nets controversial move of trading their young core seems to be yielding dividends when it comes to putting the ball in the basket. However, Brooklyn does not rank any higher on this list because they have also become earned the worst defensive ranking of all time to this point as well. The Nets truly have gone all in on their offensive scheme and if they can keep it rolling, their defensive woes might not hinder them from winning it all.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Last year we saw Giannis Antetokounmpo capture his second Most Valuable Player award in what turned out to be an otherwise disappointing season. Despite being named the best player in the NBA, Giannis saw his team fall in the second round to the Miami Heat. After a very lucrative extension and the key addition of former All-Star Jrue Holiday, the Bucks have struggled to win at the same rate they did last year. However, they are still one of the most talented teams in the league and have plenty of time to turn it around and make a run for the Finals.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers, much like the Bucks, were another heavily favored team that got upset in the second round of the playoffs last season. Paul George came under much scrutiny for his poor performance (not for the first time I might add), but after a slightly underwhelming first season has ramped his play back up to the level at which he performed in OKC. Kawhi Leonard is playing as elite as he ever has, but the team still lacks a true offensive point guard. Instead of going for someone who can facilitate and move the ball around the floor, the team opted to sign Serge Ibaka to fill a need at center. If Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can continue creating their own shots and score without the help of a facilitator, this team still has a solid chance to beat anyone in a seven-game series.
Blake Tompkins 