With the NBA season finally upon us, let’s have a look at teams with similar scenarios at the moment. These situations will include records, players, coaching, playoff success, and other factors. With that in mind, let’s get right to it.
1. The Milwaukee Bucks/The Los Angeles Lakers
It might be obvious as to why these teams are matched up. They are both projected to be the top teams in their respective conferences. The Bucks are coming off a much-needed NBA Championship and the Lakers are looking to make their return to The Finals with Lebron and Co. The Lakers didn’t surprise many people, as they had yet another busy offseason. This year, they are really all-in (again). The Bucks, however, didn’t make many moves. Why would they need to? They have proved that their squad is a championship-caliber team. Will we see these teams meet in the championship series? Maybe. But odds are they don’t both make it.
2. The Detroit Pistons/The Oklahoma City Thunder
These two teams are predicted to end at the complete opposite end of the standings asn compared to LA/Milwaukee. Neither team seems to have any postseason hope, even with the return of the Play-In Tournament. Fans can always hope for a miracle! On the bright side, both teams have a future. #1 Overall Pick Cade Cunningham looks to live up to the hype alongside…Jerami Grant and Killian Hayes. As far as the Thunder go, they have one of the brightest futures in the league with all of their draft picks. One of those picks is bound to bring a superstar to Oklahoma. Right?
3. The Atlanta Hawks/The Dallas Mavericks
Dallas and Atlanta showcase two of the league’s brightest up-and-coming stars: Luka Doncic and Trae Young. In fact, these players probably aren’t even classified as up-and-coming anymore. Both players have established themselves as stars. Luka is even projected to finish as a top-3 MVP candidate. Both teams finished as the 5 seed last year, but Atlanta made it farther in the bracket than Dallas. Many fans were expecting the opposite. This year, both teams look good. I expect both of them to finish as top 10 teams in the NBA.
4. The Brooklyn Nets/The Denver Nuggets
You probably read that and wondered what these two teams could possibly have in common. First, I would like to acknowledge the fact that the Nets could very well end up as the top team in the East. But, for the sake of this article, I don’t have them finishing as #1. The Nets and Nuggets both had similar postseasons last season. Both were eliminated in the 2nd Round, with one ending in a Game 7 heartbreak and the other ending in a 4-0 sweep. Nonetheless, neither accomplished their postseason hopes. This season, the Nuggets are without Jamal Murray for the majority of the regular season. One can’t help but wonder if the Nets will be without Kyrie Irving as well due to Covid vaccine issues. So, potentially, both teams are without their 3rd star for a while. The Nets will likely end with the better record, but I bet both squads finish top-5 in their conferences.
5. The Chicago Bulls/The Golden State Warriors
Neither of these teams ended up in the playoffs last year. Golden State came close but lost to Memphis in a due-or-die situation. However, both teams look significantly better this year. Many additions for the Bulls have caused talks of a MUCH better season for Chicago. Golden State is projected to be a top team in the West with their lineup. Klay Thompson should be good to go by the end of the year. Not many offseason moves were made in the Warrior’s front office. But they have no need to. A healthy Golden State is a scary sight.
