NBA: 2019-20 Western Conference playoff projections

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The reason I don’t have the Lakers at the top is simply that I don’t expect LeBron (even revenge LeBron) to go all out in the regular season.

The same applies to Anthony Davis, just to a lesser degree.

And even with that, this team will still win around 55 games. Think that’s a bit high? Let me try and convince you.

They have the best duo in the NBA in LeBron and AD. They’ve also brought in a lot more floor-spacing and defense this summer with additions like Danny Green and Avery Bradley. They have size, length, versatility and a whole lot of experience which will help them come playoff time.

A hungry and extra-motivated LeBron would be just about enough to put any team in the championship conversation but if you give him another top-5 player and a bunch of shooting and defense, then that’s a team to be feared for sure.