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Los Angeles Lakers: The road to the championship won’t be an easy one

By Gabriel Saavedra

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he leaves the court during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Lakers defeated the Bulls 123-107. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he leaves the court during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Lakers defeated the Bulls 123-107. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The 2019-2020 NBA season is fast approaching. A new champ will be crowned. The Los Angeles Lakers hope to be that champion but with so many moves this offseason, who does stand in their way of a championship?

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a great offseason. They got Anthony Davis and made a roster that can possibly contend for the title. Except, the Lakers weren’t the only team to have made big moves this offseason. Practically every team that was/is contenders also made big moves. Making the road to the NBA championship an even harder journey for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers are the most obvious contenders to fight against the Lakers for the championship. They got Kawhi Leonard and even snagged Paul George in the offseason, making them one of the top teams in the league overnight, maybe even the top team.

Not to mention the rest of the Clippers team is full of talent, with Montrezl Harrell, Lou Will, Pat Bev, and the Lakers old center Ivica Zubac. They pose the most threat to the Lakers championship run.

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The Warriors, even without Klay Thompson, are still a very dangerous team. They traded KD to the Nets in a sign and trade deal for D’Angelo Russell, who is only getting better and better. With Curry as his new mentor/leader, he will soon become one of the leagues most dangerous players.

They still have Curry and Draymond Green too, which will still make a great team. It also will help that they are coached insanely well. So, don’t count the Warriors out just yet.

The Rockets, Jazz, and the Nuggets also all pose a threat to the Lakers. We already know what the Rockets are capable of, they might have not been the best in the playoffs the last couple years.

Now, they have improved even more with the addition of Russell Westbrook. This year is now or never for the Rockets. If they can’t win this year, It might never happen during the James Harden era.

The Jazz are the dark horse of the Western Conference. They have a scary good complete team. With the addition of Mike Conley, it only makes the team better. Donovan Mitchell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert make the team one of the most complete in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets were poised for a big playoff run last season. Their dreams were crushed by the Portland Trailblazers who managed to pull off the upset. They still have the same team, only more experienced. Nikola Jokic will only get better and the team will only be that much more ready to fight for that championship this upcoming year.

The Trailblazers could create a problem for the Lakers if they can find a way to fit together better than last year. Especially with the Lakers lack of playmakers at the guard position. It will only make it harder for the Lakers to guard Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

In the Eastern Conference, the top two teams that can cause some trouble for the Lakers are the Sixers and the Bucks. The Sixers still have a great team, even without Jimmy Butler. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will become more of a problem with the experience they gained in the playoff. Especially, if Simmons worked on his shot this offseason.

The Bucks have the reigning MVP of the League in Giannis Antetokounmpo and the coach of the year in Mike Budenholzer. They might be a little weaker without Malcolm Brogdon on the team, but they will still contend against any team and have a good chance at the title.

The Pacers and the Pistons. Both of these teams have an under the radar good team. The Pacers grabbed Brogdon, T.J. Warren, and Jeremy Lamb. Each of whom will help the team be deeper than most in the league. Also, once Victor Oladipo comes back the Pacers could be a dark horse to win the East.

The Pistons, I know, it sounds ridiculous but they have all the makings of a contending team. Great players in Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, and Andre Drummond. A great coach in Dwane Casey and some good role players. They even added Big3 legend Joe Johnson not too long ago either. If there was ever an underdog to win, it is most definitely the Pistons this upcoming year.

The Los Angeles Lakers are heavy contenders this upcoming season. They will have a tough road ahead of them, but what great teams haven’t? This next season is going to be a fun one.

Next. Lakers that will set a new career-high in 2019. dark

With no clear favorites to win the championship. It’s all for the taking. The question is, who is going to step up and take the hardware?

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