5 Teams That Actually Have A Chance At Dethroning The Lakers
NBA | February 11, 2021
After Lebron James and his LA Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals last year, teams are out to knock them off their mantle.
Various teams will fancy their chances to take them on, but which teams actually have a genuine chance to threaten the Lakers when it comes to the title?
LA Clippers
The little brother in Staples Centre. Despite not even making it to the finals last year in the bubble, any team that has Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Lou Williams is going to be a tough team to beat. Add in Serge Ibaka as well as Reggie Jackson and all of a sudden you have a team that has enough defensive steel to trouble big brother.
Utah Jazz
Currently first in the West with a 20-5 record and look the most likely out of the entire conference aside from the Clippers to trouble the Lakers. Donovan Mitchell is playing at a high level as is Bojan Bogdanovic and along with Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, and Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz is flying under the radar when it comes to teams who could challenge for the NBA title.
They are on a five-game win streak and dismantled the Celtics by 16 points in their last outing and if they can maintain this level of performance then without question the Jazz will be in the mix come playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets possess the most frightening attacking trio the league has ever seen. With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, Brooklyn can outscore any team in the league. The only trouble is defensively, as they rarely keep a team under 100 points for the game albeit in their last outing they kept the Pacers to 94.
If they can work out their defensive organization and have Joe Harris and Deandre Jordan play pivotal roles then just by their sheer attacking talent alone, the Nets have to be considered a contender to the Lakers title.
Philadelphia 76ers
Currently sitting top of the Eastern Conference with an 18-7 record, the 76er’s like the Jazz are perhaps flying under the radar when it comes to potential challengers. Adding sharpshooter Seth Curry has worked wonders and with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons now seemingly on the same page along with Tobias Harris putting up points as well, Philly could very well be in the mix come playoff time.
The potential of this team has been there for the last couple of years, and Embiid is the key for the 76er’s along with Simmons as both have shown that they are more than capable of matching it with the big boys in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks
Currently second in the East, the Bucks fell short last season and Giannis is going to have to have one hell of a playoff run but with Khris Middleton, the Bucs could have a one-two punch that could scare some teams. Their defensive setup is as good as anyone’s but you feel that another star is needed if they are truly going to challenge, still a dark horse contender.
Tags: Brooklyn Nets | LA Clippers | LA Lakers | Milwaukee Bucks | NBA | Philadelphia 76er's | Utah jazz
