Now that the 2019-20 NBA season is over, LeBron James has justifiably donned his crown as the king of basketball, proving the driving force as the LA Lakers won the Championship for the first time in ten years.
However, for every story of success this year enjoyed by the Lakers, spare a moment to consider the teams that didn’t quite make the grade, plunged completely to endure disastrous campaigns, or perhaps caught everyone by surprise. This is the brief story of just four of those teams, as we look at their impact over the season.
The Lakers Began Strong & Kept Going
SEVENTEEN pic.twitter.com/wI7MaRvYtx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 12, 2020
After such a phenomenal 2019-20 NBA season from start to finish, the PA sportsbooks featured on this list are likely to install them as clear favorites for next season. Of course, much will depend on whether LeBron and company can maintain the same rhythm as this season, although they could be on the verge of establishing a new dynasty.
When you’ve got a 4x NBA Finals MVP on the roster, anything is possible. Not only was LeBron James the star man during throughout the playoffs and the finals, he scored the most points (28), made the most assists (10), and was just behind Anthony Davis in the rebounds chart. No player was more essential to any team in the NBA this year, than “King James” for the Lakers.
As the best team in both the hugely competitive Pacific Division, and the Western Conference with their .732 winning percentage, the Lakers just couldn’t be denied their date with destiny. Once at the Playoffs, they crushed Portland, Houston, and Denver Nuggets, before rising to see off the challenge posed by Miami Heat. LeBron and the Lakers may dominate again next season.
Warriors Lose Their Golden Glow
Took a shot
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 17, 2020
& beat the clock ?
Best of buzzer-beaters from the past year ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qEsGVD8rjU
For the last five years the Golden State Warriors have been the NBA’s dominant force, reaching the NBA Finals each year during that period, winning the Championship three times. That run ended with defeat in the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors, with the Canadian franchise proving to be the surprise package under Nick Nurse.
However, after maintaining such a strong dynasty since 2015, it soon became clear that for the Warriors, 2020 was all about the tanking. By November it was obvious their season was heading in just one direction, and at the early conclusion of the regular season, the Warriors were officially the worst team in the NBA, ending up with a dismal .231 winning percentage.
The Warriors will now be looking forward to the 2020 NBA Draft, where they will have three picks including the second overall, following a favorable draft lottery. If they can build on the quality of experienced hands like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, they could bounce back better to start a whole new dynasty.
Clippers Implode at the NBA Playoffs
Thank you, @docrivers. pic.twitter.com/LBmvMvdByL
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) September 29, 2020
Throughout the 2019-20 NBA season, the LA Clippers were always chasing the LA Lakers. The franchise owned by Steve Ballmer have invested heavily over the last few years and in 2020, they set sail with one destination in mind. Amongst the leading teams in the NBA and with an excellent roster of players, the Clippers had set their sights firmly on the NBA Championship.
Comfortably second in the Western Conference behind the Lakers, the .681 winning percentage for the Clippers was fourth-best in the entire league and enough to reach the playoffs. However, that’s where the entire season began to unravel, despite making a promising start with their First Round playoff triumph against the Dallas Mavericks.
When the Clippers went 3-1 against Denver Nuggets in the Conference Semifinals, some fans were already looking ahead to a Conference Finals clash with the Lakers. But the Nuggets weren’t done and won the next 3 games, leaving the Clippers dream sunken. After laying the foundations, head coach Doc Rivers departed, which means it’ll be interesting to see where this team goes next.
Miami Heat Almost Torch the Entire NBA
We’re ready.#HEATFirstFive pic.twitter.com/xqlLms5DXm
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 11, 2020
When the Miami Heat last mounted a serious challenge for the NBA Championship, they had three amazing players burning up the league. That trio consisted of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, who led the franchise to three NBA Finals in four years between 2011 and 2014, winning twice. Inevitably, the trio eventually departed and the rebuild began.
Erik Spoelstra remained as head coach, and after reaching the playoffs just twice in the last four years, nobody really expected the Heat to make such a strong impact this year. Their .603 winning percentage was nothing dazzling, although enough to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference and through to the playoffs, hitting blazing form at just the right time.
Packed with a roster of genuinely good but not great players, the emphasis here for Spoelstra was all about the team and the collective effort. After sweeping past the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics, the Heat unexpectedly made the NBA finals. Once there the Lakers were just too strong, although the Heat will surely be dark horses next year.
Special Mentions
Giannis Antetokounmpo became only the fourth NBA Most Valuable Player from outside the USA in 2019. Winning the coveted award again in 2020, the 25-year-old Greek has been truly exceptional for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he keeps getting better every year.
Speaking of getting better, it’s hard not to conclude with Luca Doncic, the 21-year-old Slovenian with a brilliant future ahead of him. Voted fourth in the 2020 MVP awards, he became the youngest player to register a 40-point triple-double in postseason, when the Mavericks beat the Clippers. Potentially, he’s an MVP of the future.
