Who has better odds at winning a title this season. Lebron James or Steph Curry?

Once again the NBA preseason 2025 is upon us, basketball junkies rejoice with gusto!. Lebron James, aka:”LBJ” is entering his 23rd season. Some say at age 40, his last dance. After owning four chips, best scoring title, gold medals and then some, controversial narratives back home.

Championships galore with three different teams. Averaging 24.4 PTS/7.8 REB/8.2 AST last season with the Lakers (2024-25). With a whooping 51.3% FG overall stat, at age 40 is goat like impressive.

“Bleat…”

LBJ championship aspiration roster this season.

At center: Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko. Power Forwards: Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber. Shooting Guards: Austin “Pistol Pete” Reaves, Marcus “hopefully Boston” Smart and Bronny James. LBJ’s kid. Yes indeed, making NBA history in almost every single category. The first father/son duo playing for the same team is a magical feast to see.

Small Forwards: Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero.

While at the point, Gabe Vincent and the one and only Luka “is the franchise” Doncic. According to ESPN news, Lebron is experiencing nerve issues on his right leg. Bummer dude!

He will miss the season opening on October 21st vs the Warriors.

For the first time in his illustrative career, LBJ will not play his first season opening game. Expecting a mid November return due to unforeseen circumstances, wear and tear at year 23 mostly.

The First 20 Games. Championship Predictions

My early Laker prediction start is for a 15W-5L run. Furthermore, the Western Conference competitive stance is challenging. LBJ/Luka dynamic “lets get that fifth” duo is up against baby goats, rising. While managing time, rotation and maintaining healthy players. Must be central to JJ’s direction this season. Focusing on 3rd Quarter effort and runs, runs, runs.

Is essential.

According to ESPN BPI statistics, the Lakers are projected to end 8th overall in the West. With Luka Doncic on the wing, I project better odds for LA (3rd place). Luka is determined to prove himself against the Dallas trade. He aims to represent Laker-nation as that dude in charge. Hence, the next goat must get rings.

The One Championship Club:

In OKC, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, aka: “SGA” holds the best player in world title (1) chip and MVP for the (2024-25 season). In Denver, Nikola “I Iove my horses more than winning another ring” Jokic and Jamal Murray (1) chip between each. While back East, the Bucks still own Giannis “the Greek freak” Antetokounmpo (1) chip. On a side note, I would love to see a trade between Giannis and the Knicks. Landing the freak in NYC. Spreading the floor for Jaylen and Towns. In Boston, Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown (1) baby goat chip as well. The Lakers are second to the Celtics in most championships in NBA history. Blah!

Lebron is not different from NBA stars of year’s past. MJ needed Scottie. Bird managed his squad. Kobe tolerated Shaq. Stephen Curry rotated with Klay Thomson, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. While Magic co-anchored Kareem. While the Detroit “bad boys” handled MJ without Phil Jackson for two consecutive seasons, winning two back to back titles.

Contrary to these legends, Lebron has never been capable of keeping consistent dynamic duos. His time was short-lived in Cleveland with Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Love, earning 1 chip. Similarly in Miami with Wade and Bosh, where he got 2 back to back rings. Winning with the Lakers in the 2020 bubble. This season, LBJ is competing for another championship.

The Warriors “golden child” is Stephen Curry. Both LBJ and Stephen Curry are competitively battling to get to five or dare I say, six rings. What about KD in Houston? we shall wait and see what the season reveals. To the moon and back the Rockets expect out of Kevin Durant.

Indeed, KD needs to grab one more chip on his own. Since Golden State had won titles without him. Further cementing his chance at goat conversation status. Not yet, for Kevin Durant.

Both LBJ and Curry hold the high ground with four chips each. Two equally opposing twenty first goats of basketball. With powerful reach on the court and beyond. Pure shooting composer with Curry while power assisting and defensive dynamism with Lebron. LBJ is essentially Karl Malone in Magic Johnson body. Magically passing the rock with ease while defending during key post-season moments.

Lebron was ready to play ball from the start, unlike Zion Williamson with the Pelicans. Zion, was advertised as the second coming to LBJ during his woeful recruitment. Having been labeled “a big dude” with an obsessive eating disorder. Eating BBQ chicken, ribs, watermelon and corn bread before games. According to fried food “ghetto” sources. Leading to injuries galore and lack luster dynamism on the court.

Contrary to Lebron, Steph Curry is the best 3-PTS shooter in the history of the game. Curry averaged 24.5 PTS/4.4 REB/6.0 AST. With a commanding 44.8 FG% during the 2024-25 season.

Further, with Luka on the wing and Ayton playing the five. LBJ is position to compete with Steph’s dynamic squad: Jimmy “playoff” Butler and Draymond Green.

Draymon is Golden State vocal leader and anchoring defensive wall. Deandre Ayton challenge is to become the same for LBJ and Luka. I want to see 20 PTS / 12 Reb double-doubles from Ayton on daily engagements as the season moves on.

On the Lakers side, we should see high action pick and roll ball screening this season. The plays will primarily involve Luka, Lebron, and Ayton, imho. Provided JJ Redick communicates readily between his staff and court play. Notable feedback loop conversations on ESPN news point to a lack of 3rd quarter effort and lackluster energy. Toppled with defending against transition offense while properly communicating effort. I give the coach a B+ grade with ample room for improvement.

Should JJ Redick implement the triangle, offense? Uncertain as Luka needs a stationary isolation spot on the floor to score and run.

With longevity comes a body of responsibilities and healthcare decisions for coach JJ Redick. Needing to keep a healthy Lebron til June while hopefully starting the season with wins. Will prove to be both challenging and didactically cumbersome. The Western conference heavy hitters: Nuggets, The Rockets, Warriors, Timberwolfs and last year defending champs in OKC Thunder. All have baby goat talent ahead of Luka’s championship run aspirations with the Lakers.

Unlike Steph Curry, LBJ will enter his 23rd season with new a new roster. He has yet to feel comfortable with this array of new talent while playing one entire season with Luka. I see Doncic as lebron final Robin.

Both players dynamic benchmark towards getting that final and remaining “par with Kobe” fifth championship.

Never mind MJ vs Lebron goat narratives being separated by two centuries. Lebron James is the goat of the 21st Century while Michael Jordan, the goat of the 20th. Overall, we will need to wait further analysis. MJ played ball in a different era from Lebron. Emphasis on defense, mid-range and fade away jump shoots dominated Michael’s six chip run.

Ultimately, the question between Stephen and LBJ boils down to who will make further inroads this post-season. I don’t believe either player will win a fifth title but the question remains. Which player has the roster get further in the Western conference finals?

I believe The Los Angeles Lakers is that team. Luka should play for most valuable player status. Hopefully allowing JJ to implement ball rotation to allow movement, effort and defense. The ball is in Luka’s hand way too much at times.

Is Luka Doncic the Next Goat?

Luka Doncic is a phenomenal basketball player. He is also the face and golden star for Laker-nation. Averaging 28.2 PTS/8.2 REB/7.7 AST with a total 45.0 FG% last season (2024-25). Luka’s poise, candor and shooting talent is ripe for several championship to come. Sharing and spreading the floor between Austin Reeves and Ayton rim protection, strategies.

In contrast to OKC, Shai Gilgeous Alexander defending 2024-25 champ and league MVP. Luka is entering this year with a brand new roster. After a mid-season controversial trade from the Dallas Maverick’s last year. I expect to see Luka surpass Shai’s numbers from last season: 32.7 PTS/5.0 REB/6.4 AST averaging 51.9% is certainly, MVP status for SGA.

When the defense collapses on Luka, does he turn the ball to LBJ? and how will time management til June look for both players?

Furthermore, I envision Doncic first chip will arrive without Lebron James. Foreseeing the Lakers getting further this season than Golden State, yet not close enough to get pass “SGA”. Its difficult to win a championship with a first run rooster. Lebron’s Miami Heat felt short to Dallas during that team first finals appearance in 2011. The lakers need time to properly work out kinks between Luka, Reeves and Ayton. Reeves should turn out to become Clay Thomson to Doncic, a second Scottie Pippen, Luka desperately needs.

Doncic must fit into a system where he balances rotating the ball and maintaining a strong defensive stance. This is necessary for him to surpass Shai Gilgeous Alexander for the “best player in the world” NBA category.

Too often, I see Luka standing around at the top of the key. Meanwhile, his teammates try to score (4on4) instead of 5. To conclude, Luka has both talent and skill to get at least four to five rings with the Lakers. He must learn to fit into systemic offensive rotation between JJ and team.

Imho. All rings lead to Luka in a post universe LBJ epoch. The NBA will miss you Lebron and company.

SGA, The Greek Freak, Jokic, Tatum, Mitchell, Luka, Ant-Man, Victor, Flagg and Buttler are next gen baby goats, in training. In the 21st Century, the goal is to get to 4 chips, instead of five or six rings.