I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat this the Pacific division is the best division in the NBA and its not even close. The only other division that comes close is the Atlantic division but not even they come close to the level of talent in the Pacific. I’m talking stars like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Booker. That’s just some of the big name players in this division I could keep going but I think I made my point. The biggest story of the Pacific division is the battle of LA between the Lakers and Clippers. Both teams had incredible offseasons changing the scope of the NBA with moves made in free agency. Both teams are heavy favorites to make the NBA Finals if they are able to remain healthy. As for the regular season who finishes with the best record? Here are my predictions for the Pacific division!
Los Angeles Clippers: 58-24
The Los Angeles Clippers could quite possibly be the best defensive team in the NBA this season. The thought of three of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA today in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley on the same team in insane. Their defense is not only what makes the Clippers such a great team. The Clippers have no shortage of scoring, athleticism, shooting, and depth this team is going to be hard to beat. The one thing the Clippers may struggle with is rebounding. The Clippers do not have much size on their roster so its going to take a significant amount of hustle if they do not want to get dominated on the boards every night. Other than that, believe the hype with the amoung of talent on the Clippers roster will be playing in May and possibly June if able to remain healthy.
Los Angeles Lakers: 56-26
I can almost copy and paste everything I just said about the Clippers but the Lakers are great for an entirely different reason. The Lakers front line is the best in the NBA and I can confidently say its not even close. Just look at the caliber of names in the Lakers frontcourt: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma, Javale McGee, and Dwight Howard. These guys are a maychup nightmare as they can dominate teams on the low block on both sides of the ball. On top of that, the Laker backcourt is loaded with shooters and solid defenders. Health is the only thing that I can see that would derail the Lakers chances to contend for an NBA championship this season and beyond.
Golden State Warriors: 50-32
As an NBA fan, I really really hope that Klay Thompson is able to play this season because that would make this division that much more competitive than it already is. The Warriors no longer have Kevin Durant so they won’t be as good as in years past but they will certainly be very good. The sign and trade for D’Angelo was a great move as well as going after Willie Cauley-Stein. Cauley-Stein along with Draymond Green and Kevon Looney on the front line is a very interesting prospect to go along with their stellar backcourt. With the injury to Klay Thompson, I can’t see the Warriors being major players in the NBA title picture but they will certainly be a very good team.
Sacramento Kings: 40-42
The Sacramento Kings could be one of the more underrated teams in the NBA this season. The Kings made some very good moves this offseason signing Harrison Barnes (even if they did overpay him), Trevor Ariza, Cory Joseph, and Dewayne Dedmon. Along with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, this team could surprise some people. On offense, they are a nightmare on the fast break with the athleticism, shooting and playmakers on their roster. Defensively, the Kings will need some work as they don’t have any significant perimeter or post defenders. Their defensive woes are why I have them finishing below .500 but they still could shock some people with their level of play.
Phoenix Suns: 22-60
I can’t help but feel bad for Devin Booker. He has been incredible scoring the basketball ever since he entered the league four years ago but the Suns have just been awful. Ever since Booker entered the league in 2015-2016, the Suns have gone 87-241 and went through four head coaches in that time. With the hiring of Monty Williams as head coach, this is the fifth head coach for the Suns in five years. How can a team expect to build when coaches are coming and going season by season. I feel sorry for guys like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton because they are great young talents that have the potential to be among the best in the NBA but their potential is being wasted in this joke of a franchise. On the bright side, at least they’ll have a great chance to get the first pick in the 2020 NBA draft whatever that’s worth.
Short Cuz the Sports Plug 