The 2020-2021 NBA season is finally upon us. Every year fans ask the same question: “Who will win the championship this year?” “Can they repeat?” Well, The Game Haus Staff has decided to join the discussion and present NBA Championship picks. Here’s the TGH staff NBA championship predictions:
Spencer Poole
Pick- Los Angeles Lakers
All the Lakers had to do to be considered favorites to repeat as NBA champions was to keep the core they already had last season intact. Instead, the Lakers front office has done a masterful job by improving on all fronts what was already one of the most talented rosters in the league. Replacing Danny Green, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard with Dennis Schröder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol seems almost unfair for a team that steamrolled through the playoffs last season. Now with one of the best benches in basketball to go along with two of the five best players in the league, it will take either injuries or a locker room implosion to deny LA a second straight Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Honorable Mentions: Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers
Adam Hushion
Pick- Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers should be the overwhelming favorites to win the 2021 NBA Finals. The connection between their stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, should prove to be even more lethal after winning a championship in their first season together. The combination of James and Davis would likely make the Lakers favorites if they had just run it back with their roster from last season. Instead, the Lakers got better. Adding last season’s Sixth Man of the Year winner, Montrezl Harrell and runner-up, Dennis Schröder gives the Lakers much more line-up flexibility. Marc Gasol is also an upgrade for the Lakers as smart defensive center who can pass and space the floor with his shooting.
Sidney Barrer
Pick- Los Angeles Lakers
I think the Lakers’ strategy of keeping the core group of last year’s team together with a few more complementary players is genius and is going to get them the back to back championships. AD and Lebron averaged 26.1 points and 25.3 points, respectively, last season and I really see them putting up similar numbers this season. With the two main stars, the Lakers added Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. I see these players only added to the Lakers chemistry which is what made them so dominant last year. The Lakers now have a deep squad with at least 10 players that could be in the rotation. Their moves in the offseason and their momentum from last season is definitely going to carry into this season and help them get the repeat.
Last year the Brooklyn Nets were a playoff team, despite the loss of a potential MVP in Kevin Durant and a potential NBA first-team All-Star in Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn managed to add depth to an already deep bench with the incoming of point guard Landry Shamet. The Nets have a Small Forward named Caris LeVert who has the potential to be an All-Star this year, after coming off a season where he averaged 18.4 points per game.
The Nets have a big man by the name of Jarrett Allen, who showed flashes of similarity to the Maimi Heat’s Bam Adebayo who helped lead the team to the NBA Finals last year. One of the main differences between the two teams is that unlike the Heat, the Nets have the star power to match up with teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers. Assuming the Lakers win the Western Conference, expect this to be the first year where Lebron’s age begins to impact the effect he can have on the floor late in games versus a younger star, such as Kevin Durant.
Pick: Nets over Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.
Finals MVP Kevin Durant
Zachary Russell
Pick-Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are the clear favorite to repeat as NBA champions this upcoming season.
In their offseason, they added Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell, the two best bench players in the NBA last season. These two will give the Lakers another pick-and-roll duo, making their offense more dynamic. In addition, the team added three-and-D wing Wesley Matthews and veteran big Marc Gasol to help anchor the team’s interior defense.
The Lakers had a great offseason, and nobody else at the top of the Western Conference got dramatically better. Anthony Davis will likely have another monster season, and LeBron James is showing no signs of slowing down, a testament to his greatness and durability.
A likely prediction for the Lakers is that Davis and James will load manage the regular season, and come out firing in the playoffs. Even as a three or four seed, the Lakers will be the best team in the conference, and likely capture another title behind James as he moves closer to being the “GOAT.”
Ben Hendricks
Pick-Los Angeles Lakers
The shortened offseason necessitated a lot of player movement in a very short amount of time. But what seemed like a whirlwind of trades and signings did not really amount to much in terms of changing the NBA landscape.
If the Brooklyn Nets do end up grabbing James Harden before the 2021 trade deadline, there is a distinct possibility that the talent on that team may be too much to overcome, regardless of fit and chemistry. However, the safest bet for NBA Champion is the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James absolutely refuses to lose a step although if he does manage to, he will cover it up by elevating a different skill set. Anthony Davis is paid and happy in the purple and gold. The supporting cast will serve its purpose, or be shuffled around through James’ signature trade deadline moves if it is not up to snuff.
It is an uninspired choice, but it may end up being the right one.
Champion: Los Angeles Lakers (in 6 games)
Runner-up: Milwaukee Bucks
Finals MVP: Anthony Davis
Tyrese Boone
Pick-Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers lost some key guys such as Danny Green, Rajon Rondo and many more. However, the Lakers front office did a good job by retooling their squad. Montrezl Harrel and Dennis Schroder are very talented players that are a perfect fit for the Laker’s scheme. Marc Gasol is a solid replacement for McGee and Howard as well. Even resigning guys such as KCP and AD long term will help keep the core intact for a while. As long as Lebron, Anthony Davis and the team stays healthy, it’s their championship to lose.
On the other hand, I believe the only two teams that can beat them are Brooklyn or Miami. KD and Kyrie could definitely take the Nets to the finals, but chemistry issues could cause them to falter. The shortened season doesn’t help but hopefully the team cohesion will be significantly better by the postseason
The Heat should have the most motivation to make it back which could repel them to a rematch. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will definitely have All-Star caliber seasons and set the tone. Their younger guys in Herro, Nunn and Robinson could make some big leaps in their game. Also, the additions of Avery Bradley and Precious Achiuwa could be promising as well.
All in all, I believe the Lakers will become the 2020-2021 NBA Champions.