Jamal Crawford picks the Nets to win title, Lakers to win the West

Former Nets guard and basketball innovator Jamal Crawford has the Brooklyn Nets winning it all next season according to Landon Buford. While also predicting the Los Angeles Lakers to come out of the West, Crawford is calling for a Nets-Lakers Finals matchup come June:

“The Brooklyn Nets are my favorites barring injuries winning it all, but the Lakers will come out the West.”

Of course, injuries were the downfall for both these teams’ success last year during the postseason. Without James Harden at 100% and Kyrie Irving in the closing games of the series versus the Bucks, Milwaukee overcame this star-studded Nets team. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers didn’t stand a chance against the Phoenix Suns.

Crawford later told Buford about the advantages Kevin Durant has in one-on-one matchups that separates him from other stars in the league. This alluded to his ability to shoot over anybody even when it is a good contest:

“When he shot over me it wasn’t like he couldn’t see [me] with his wingspan.”