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Why the Los Angeles Lakers are guaranteed a title within two years

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. If the Golden State Warriors do not win, it will be the Los Angeles Lakers

Like previously stated, the Golden State Warriors are the obvious favorites to win the NBA Championship. Behind the Warriors, though, is not the Los Angeles Lakers. Per OddsShark, the Lakers are actually the third favorite team to win behind the Boston Celtics and Warriors.

Still, I think many believe that the Houston Rockets are still the better team and that the Oklahoma City Thunder, without Carmelo Anthony, have a better chance of beating the Warriors than the Lakers.

If it is going to be any team out of the Western Conference besides the Warriors, it will be the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James is built to get to the finals. With a young core around him that will only get better as the season goes along, the team has the potential to be firing on all cylinder come April and May.

The Rockets are certainly talented but the team has had a weird offseason and have lost some good bench pieces. Plus, with the Lakers having good perimeter defense, the three-point barrage by Houston will be easy to slow down as LeBron and company slow down the pace of the game.

As for the Thunder, they did not look great last season and it is hard to see Russell Westbrook lead a team to four wins over another playoff-caliber team.

There are other talented teams such as the Utah Jazz or Portland Trail Blazers but neither really present a foundation to beat a LeBron James-led team in the playoffs.

Then the Lakers would be standing toe-to-toe with either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Boston Celtics. And while both teams would present a very tough challenge, if the Lakers were to make it that far, they would obviously be on fire and would overcome the challenge.

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