NBA Today: Top 5 teams in the league heading into the 2019-20 season

#1 LA Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers introduce Kawhi Leonard & Paul George

The Clippers have forever been the "other team" in Los Angeles with all the fanfare and adulation going to the Lakers with whom they share the Staples Center arena (new Clippers arena expected by 2024). The Clippers moved to LA in 1984 and haven't had much success, with their best result being second round exits. The team has seen a turnaround of sorts since it was purchased by Steve Ballmer in 2014, having only missed the playoffs once since the takeover.

The Clippers exceeded all expectations last season, making it to the playoffs in a highly competitive western conference despite not having a single All-Star on their roster and trading away one of their best players mid-season. They put up a very respectable performance in the postseason, pushing a Warriors team that was at full strength, to 6 games.

The Clippers couldn't have had a better off-season, signing the number one free agent in the market -- Kawhi Leonard and also managing to trade for Paul George who is coming off an MVP caliber season. They also have most of their players from the previous season returning. This includes Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac and Landry Shamet. They are also coached by Doc Rivers who has been a head coach in the NBA since 1999 and is widely regarded as one of the best in the league.

Leonard and George in addition to being offensive geniuses are also the two best wing defenders in the league. With Beverly and Harrell, both of whom are exemplary defenders already on the roster, opposing teams will find it very difficult to score freely against the Clippers.

Although their cross-town rivals probably have the best duo in the NBA, the Clippers have the better, younger team and should be the favorites to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship.