With the 2020-21 season a few games away from being completed, which teams are competing for a championship this season? Honourable Mentions:
Dallas Mavericks
Miami Heat
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Portland Trailblazers
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets acquired James Harden early on this season, and he has proven when healthy, that he fits greatly alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and a trio of the three alone puts them in contention. that’s not even including players along side them including Joe Harris, Nicolas Claxton, Blake Griffin, Jeff Green, Deandre Jordan, and more. I think it’s safe to say that the Brooklyn Nets will definitely be competing for a championship this year.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have almost secured the number one seed in the east, with MVP candidate Joel Embiid and defensive player of the year candidate Ben Simmons leading the way. In the off-season, the 76ers made a few moves to acquire Dwight Howard, Danny Green, and Seth Curry, who have all played pretty well for them this season. Also, Matisse Thybulle off the bench has been great for them on offence, but especially on defence. Tobias Harris was also in all-star considerations this season, and was closer than you might think to have been named an all-star. Definitely contenders this season, the 76ers are.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are the second seed in the east this season with a few games remaining in the regular season. led by MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, and borderline all-stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, the Milwaukee Bucks are a top seed once again. The question is, will they be able to produce once the playoffs are here? we have seen them last season lose to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs. The season before, they choked a 2-0 lead to the Toronto Raptors, who went on to win the championship. We will see this season what the Bucks really are, and if they can game-plan correctly for the playoffs.
Utah Jazz
the Utah Jazz have come out of nowhere this season, surprising many people, being the first team to reach 50 wins. They will most likely finish with a the top seed in the west, and it’s not often we see the top seed in the west not compete for a championship. Donovan Mitchell is having a career year, showing off high IQ and decision making when the game is on the line. Rudy Gobert is a defensive player of the year candidate, leading the race at the moment. Also, Mike Conley was a first time all-star this season. Yes, it was a replacement, but an all-star selection is an all-star selection. They also have the sixth man of the year this year in Jordan Clarkson. This team is really deep, and I can see them making a deep run in the playoffs, possibly, a championship.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are currently fighting for the number one seed in the west, with the Utah Jazz. Although they might not get it, they will still be happy at number 2 after what happened in the bubble last season. Chris Paul at the age of 36, is still an MVP candidate, and even though he won’t win it, he deserves some recognition. Devin Booker is also having a career season, dropping about 25ppg on 48% shooting. With a backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul, with the supporting cast they have, including Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson, and more, the Phoenix Suns will definitely be competing for a championship this year.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently fighting for the third seed in the western conference with the Denver Nuggets, behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Kawhi Leonard is MVP candidate this season, but similar to Chris Paul, he won’t win it but still deserves recognition. Paul George is playing as his usual self which people seem to have forgotten about after last years playoffs. He has silenced the haters by simply being himself. Many people are sleeping on the Clippers this year, but those same people had them as their favourites to win it all last year. I truly believe that the Clippers are real contenders, and will not be surprised at all if they won the championship.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off of a championship run from last season, beating the Miami Heat in the finals. The Lakers have battled injuries all year long, and are sitting seventh in the west. We will see if they finish in the play in or not, and maybe they aren’t gonna be at full strength in time for the playoffs, but at the end of the day, Lebron James alone will make you a championship contender, or at least finals contender. Lebron James will be playing through an injury in the playoffs this season though, which is what most Lakers fans are most worried about. Anthony Davis is finally back and healthy, but with a guy like him, he could get injured any game. Even through all of this, I still believe, come playoff time, the Lakers will be competing for a championship.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets lost their second best player, Jamal Murray, a few weeks ago, to a torn ACL. The crazy thing is, even without him, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have still been great. They went 9-1 in the first 10 games without Murray, and have continued to be great. Normally, the loss of your second best player would automatically make you not a contender, but Nikola Jokic, THE UNDENIABLE MVP OF THE LEAGUE, is continuing to show why he is the MVP. Also, Michael Porter jr has stepped up big time in the absence of murray, and is showing true superstar potential. If I was a Nuggets fan, I would be very, very excited about their future. Even if they don’t get it done this year, they are still contenders, even without Jamal Murray.