In a regular appearance on Undisputed, American rapping legend Lil Wayne revealed his picks for the two Western Conference finalists this season, and his answers may surprise you. Instead of picking the defending champs, he picked the 10th seed in the West and a Timberwolves squad that has yet to prove anything in the postseason.
“These new teams, this their time and that's why I believe they will be there. This is their league now. And I believe the Lakers, they are one of the only teams in the West who can beat the Nuggets.”
Lil Wayne is a lifelong Lakers fan, so it is no surprise to hear his faith in the Purple and Gold this season. Somehow, he firmly believes they have a chance against the Denver Nuggets, who they are almost sure to face in the first round. While it is true that LeBron James and Anthony Davis have enjoyed unusually good health this season, the Lakers are still flawed in so many ways and it will be a miracle for them to match their performance from last year.
But what's even more surprising with Lil Wayne is his sudden belief in the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have yet to prove anything in the postseason. Whether it’s the presence of Anthony Edwards or the defensive dominance of Rudy Gobert, Wayne thinks it will be enough to give them the edge in these playoffs.
With the Conference so jumbled up, we can surmise that the gap between these top 8 teams isn’t as wide as it has been in years past. The West is more unpredictable than ever, and it’s impossible to be certain who will come out on top right now.
The Denver Nuggets Control The West
From the Lakers to the Clippers to the Oklahoma City Thunder, several teams look to be in contention for the title this year, and fans are still split on who should be favored to win it all.
As good as the Lakers have looked recently, the West still belongs to the Denver Nuggets, and their place atop the standings is proof that they are still far ahead of the field. Between the likes of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets have the best core unit in the league right now, and Jokic himself is leading the way with another masterful performance.
Through 77 games this season, the Joker is averaging 26.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game on 58% shooting. He’s on the verge of winning his third straight MVP and has never looked better. As he continues to elevate his teammates, they are growing more and more comfortable with his game and it has given the Nuggets seamless chemistry throughout the rotation.
For the Lakers, or whoever else matches up against Denver, their chances of survival are slim, and only a fool would bet against the defending champs right now. Sadly, no matter where the Lakers finish in the West, it may not even matter if it earns them a rematch against the Nuggets. The West runs through them right now and probably for the foreseeable future.
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