The NBA has laid out a new plan to finish the remainder of the 2019-2020 season in Disney World and with 22 teams invited, only 16 make the playoffs. It should be interesting to see which 16 teams end up staying in Orlando but we know a few will be there for sure. Here are my top 5 teams heading into Disney World:
5. Toronto Raptors- The defending champs have shown this season that they don’t need Kawhi Leonard to be successful. The trio of Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and Normal Powell (yes normal powell) have shown that they are dangerous. The Raptors are tough, defensively strong, and have a very deep roster and it is not out of the question for them to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals
4. Boston Celtics- The Celtics starting 5 might be the most balanced in the league. Kemba Walker is a leader and can go off for 40 whenever he feels like it, Jaylen Brown is one of the best young 2-way wings in the league who can also shoot, Gordon Hayward is still a fantastic do it all player who averaged 17-7-4 and can handle and shoot the ball, Jayson Tatum is blossoming into a star on both ends of the court and is the focal point of this team, and Daniel Theis is a tough defender and good role player. Together they are a force to be reckoned with.
3. Los Angeles Clippers- The Clippers had the deepest and most talented team coming into the season. And that still may be true. With Paul George and Kawhi Leonard missing a lot of games, this Clippers team is still 2nd in the west. Louis Williams, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Montrezl Harrell all can go off at any point but it’s the complimentary pieces like Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson, and Patrick Beverly that will help push the Clippers to a chip.
2. Milwaukee Bucks- The Bucks and Lakers are interchangeable. Both teams could be considered as the best team. The reason I have the Bucks behind the Lakers is that I need to see Giannis Antetokounmpo really show out in the playoffs. This Bucks team is SO talented but the playoffs are always a different animal. This year could be their year though as Khris Middleton is having a phenomenal year, Brook Lopez is still a defensive monster, and they have all the perfect role players for Giannis to really explode in this year’s playoffs.
- Los Angeles Lakers- The Lakers have the best duo in the league. Lebron James is averaging a near triple double at age 35 and Anthony Davis is an MVP and DPOY candidate. Although the rest of the team isn’t stacked, James and Davis make them all better and it should be interesting to see what happens but as of now the Lakers are my clear favorites for the NBA championship this summer.
