The 2020 NBA season is currently scheduled to resume on July 30th, and after an eight-game tune-up determines the playoff seeding, the playoffs will begin with 16 teams competing in a bubble environment at Disney World in Orlando.
The Bucks and Lakers were the two clear top seeds in their respective conferences when the season was halted in March, but after such a long layoff and with some rosters changing, the 2020 playoffs could be full of surprises. The Lakers, for example, will be without Avery Bradley, who has decided to sit out the rest of the season, and have yet to confirm whether or not center Dwight Howard will participate. Swingman J.R. Smith will reportedly join the Lakers to replace Bradley, reuniting with former Cavs teammate LeBron James.
According to Warriors star Draymond Green, the coronavirus interruption will be a boost for the Lakers. During an interview with Jalen Rose and David Jacoby on ESPN, Green said that he believed the Clippers were the NBA title favorites all season long, but that the Lakers have an edge in this unique situation, thanks to James.
@Money23Green gives his title favorite 🏆what do you think? #gtgtpwtw @JalenRose @djacoby pic.twitter.com/JRRvwCnEoO
— Jalen & Jacoby (@JalenandJacoby) June 30, 2020
“I think going into the season and all season long, the Clippers were the favorite. Just when you look at their team, I think they have someone that checks every box, from a defender, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Patrick Beverly. When you’re talking great size – Kawhi, Paul George, Marcus Morris, they check all the boxes. They can match up with any team well. And they have shooting. They have Montrezl [Harrell] down low. They have everything that you need to win a championship.
However, I think going into this bubble, the Lakers got to be the favorite because they got LeBron and he can kind of adjust to anything. And I think he’s probably the most disciplined player we’ve ever seen in the NBA, and that’s going to matter going into this bubble. Having LeBron on your team going into this bubble gives you a slight advantage.”
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