2019-2020 NBA Preview and Predictions – Pacific Division
The Golden State Warriors have dominated the Pacific Division the last 5 years, but with all the offseason moves this past offseason, the tables may have turned. Both Los Angeles teams made significant improvements, and while Golden State will still contend for the Division, the road definitely got tougher. Here is what we have to look forward in this very top-heavy Pacific this season.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns were the worst team in the Western Conference last season, with a 19-63 record. They do feature some very young, very promising stars though. Devin Booker has proven he is one of the better scorers in the NBA, and Deandre Ayton had a very nice rookie season, averaging 16 points & 10 boards. They did lose T.J. Warren, but re-signed Kelly Oubre, signed Ricky Rubio, and traded for Dario Saric this offseason. Will they make the Playoffs? Doubtful. But they do have a very bright future, and should make a drastic improvement this season.
Sacramento Kings
This team had a surprising 39-43 record last season, and may be one of the better younger teams in the NBA. Up and comers De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes, & Marvin Bagley are all under 27 years old. If they can keep this core together for a few years, this team could be a Playoff contender. But unfortunately for them, in this loaded Western Conference, they are not quite ready. Best case scenario, they make a run at the 8th spot.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been the cream of the Pacific crop the last 5 years, being able to keep their core together for the duration, even adding Kevin Durant the last 3 years of the run. But Durant left for New Jersey, star Klay Thompson is unlikely to play this season, and team leader Andre Iguodala is also gone. That leaves perennial MVP candidate Steph Curry, do-it-all Draymond Green, and recently acquired D’Angelo Russell. A very solid core, but with the additions some of the other teams in the West made, might be somewhat of a transition year for the Warriors. They will still make the Playoffs, just not as a top seed like we’ve become accustomed to seeing.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had a very disappointing season last year, with just 37 wins and missing the Playoffs by 11 games. Note – 1st time LeBron missed the Playoffs since his 2nd season in the NBA. LeBron, I mean the front office, completely revamped this team though, highlighted by trading for star Anthony Davis. They also added sharp-shooter Danny Green which will spread out the floor, and former Laker Dwight Howard is back as well. It will all come down to how dominant the 1-2 punch of LeBron and Davis is. If Davis is healthy all year and LeBron continues to ignore father time, this team is built for a deep Playoff run. Note – Had DeMarcus Cousins not gotten hurt, this team would have one of the better collection of big men in recent history.
Los Angeles Clippers
Well, they added prize free agent Kawhi Leonard and traded for Paul George. Safe to say they got better. They are two of the more dynamic 2-way players in the NBA, and combine them with Patrick Beverly, this may be the best defensive team in the NBA. They definitely have question marks with their depth, but if they can get some production out of their role players, with Kawhi and George, this team is poised to make a deep Playoff run.
Like I said, a lot of question marks in this Division. With the exception of the Warriors, all of the teams in theory got better. I think the winner of the Division will come out of Los Angeles though. Which one? I think the Lakers are built for the Playoffs, which may mean a lot of regular season days off for their stars. And for that reason, I think it will be the “other” Los Angeles team. Pacific Division Winner – Los Angeles Clippers.
Now, tell me what you think!!!
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