The highly anticipated NBA playoffs have finally arrived and many contestants in this competition were completely unexpected. At the beginning of the NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers were a highly expected team to reach the playoffs while the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic had very low odds of reaching the playoffs.

However, it was the exact opposite. The Lakers ended off their NBA season in the 10th seed while the Nets and Magic reached the playoffs. Many obstacles stood in the way of the Lakers from reaching their goal. For example, many of their key players such as Lebron James, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram suffered injuries. Consequently, their team experienced a massive drop in rankings which eventually eliminated them from playoff contention. This season the president of the Lakers, Magic Johnson, resigned as president and Luke Walton mutually agreed with the Lakers to part ways. Without a president and a coach, the team is in a desperate situation.

Another team that received low odds of reaching the playoffs was the Los Angeles Clippers.

Without their best three players: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Deandre Jordan, many people were sure they were not going to the playoffs. Tay Kim and Ethan Kim from Parks Junior High say,“The Clippers have absolutely no chance at reaching the playoffs.” Additionally,

Tobias Harris and Boban Marjanovic, both very dominant players, were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the season. Nevertheless, their team still went to the playoffs despite their struggles. With the teams set for the playoffs, many people are starting to predict who will win the NBA Finals.

The Golden State Warriors, with 3 championships in the last 4 years, possess the best odds at winning the Champions. Following the Golden State Warriors, the Milwaukee Bucks have the second-best odds at winning the championship.

Even though teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers and the Orlando Magic have the lowest odds at winning the National Title, anything could happen. For example, the Orlando Magic ended with a record of 25 wins to 47 losses, one of the worst records during the 2017-2018 NBA season, yet they clinched a position in the playoffs this season.

The NBA playoffs this season is full of many great teams, but only team can take the championship home. Which team do you think has the highest potential to win in the playoffs?

<Brian Lee/ D. Russell Parks Junior High School 8th Grad>