Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
I knew this already, but was reminded of it when reading their coach calling them soft: the Clippers won’t win the championship. Paul George can’t be the same player he was before his injury. He keeps this a secret to make money, but his old self is gone. Harden is clearly on the decline due to age. And Kawhi is in constant load management because he was never a great athlete and his body has struggled to stay healthy for several years already. It won’t get better for any of these players.
I’d be more inclined to say the Lakers have the best chance in LA because they have an outside player with a lot of talent who is playing well. Though I think he is overvalued in general, the Lakers are lucky to have Austin Reaves. I’m less thrilled with D’Angelo Russell after getting to know him on podcasts. I don’t judge him as a person, but as a professional, I can’t have faith in his personality.