Golden State Warriors: Top 5 toughest matchups for the 2019-2020 season

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 05: NBA players LeBron James (L) and Anthony Davis talk as they watch a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

#4: Los Angeles Lakers

After attempting to go all-in on a push to sign Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Lakers had to scramble to fill out a team that was basically built for a trio of talented forwards. All things considered, they did a great job scrambling.

Picking up guys like Danny Green, Jared Dudley, and Avery Bradley were all welcomed additions for ‘Lakerland.’ Taking a shot on DeMarcus Cousins was also a huge win, despite his eventual season-ending knee injury.

Evaluating this version of the Lakers will be difficult since it hinges on so many different factors. The team is depending on a resurgence from Dwight Howard. Kyle Kuzma will have to live up to some level of the hype he’s received.

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LeBron James will at least see some time at the point guard position, and who knows if this will be a fantastic move or is just a way to cover up the fact that the guard depth is glaring.

For Warriors fans, the mystique of James has been largely neutered thanks to a boatload of success against him. The challenge this season will be that the Warriors won’t be able to lean on the defensive presence of Andre Iguodala to help out.

It will be Draymond Green’s task to lead the defense to limiting the damage from the tandem of James and Anthony Davis. Even when Klay Thompson returns, it’ll be a tough assignment for him to potentially match up against players larger than him.

Kevon Looney will likely get some tough defensive assignments. In the last couple of seasons, he’s shown an ability to defend bigs who can shoot from the perimeter, so expect him to rise to the occasion.

For Los Angeles, Danny Green will be the biggest x-factor of this matchup. Green has been a killer against the Warriors for whatever reason no matter what team he’s been on.

If Green is able to space the floor and help lock down some of the perimeter, then the Warriors might have trouble getting Russell and Curry going.

Any team that sports two of the top players in the game is going to end up on this kind of list, but there’s still something about the team that feels too good to be true.

A lot of things are going to have to go right for the Lakers if they want to be a serious contender next season. The team, for the most part, feels like a lot of filler, especially after striking out on Kawhi and losing out on Boogie.

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This will certainly be a more intriguing matchup than past seasons, but more because of the allure of the James/Davis duo than anything else. James being pushed out to the backcourt will only help the Warriors with getting away with playing Thompson at the three.

The matchups otherwise should be pretty even. Unless the Lakers coaching staff is able to exceed expectations, then no one should be expecting anything crazy from the team.

And maybe if Davis was more willing to play some center, then they’d have a better shot.

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