1. Who is the biggest threat to prevent a L.A. Lakers repeat?
If KD and Kyrie have their heads on straight, I think Brooklyn could be the biggest threat. That's a MetLife Stadium sized "if" though so I will say Milwaukee. Although as
@Baby Shoes mentioned, their playoff track record is NOT GREAT. I'd be very surprised if someone other than the Lakers wins, barring injury to LeBron or Anthony Davis.
2. Where will James Harden end the season?
Philadelphia. Philly seems desperate enough to get over the middle of the pack, that they'll gamble their future.
3. Team you think will overperform this season
So many people including ITT have picked Suns as surprise team that I don't think they're really that much of a surprise. Of all the other non playoff teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves stand out to me as the team that I think could be better than people expect. I've also seen San Antonio Spurs listed as one of the worst teams which I think is mildly confusing. They were a middling team last year and they haven't got exponentially worse and rest of conference hasn't gotten a lot better. I'm assuming they stay in 30-40 wins area but I wouldn't be shocked if they are back in race for 7-10 seed.
4. Team you think will underperform this season
If KD and Kyrie, don't have their heads on straight, they could be eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Also tbh, I wouldn't be shocked if the Phoenix Suns
underperformed and narrowly missed the playoffs again.
5. What is your hot take prediction for the '20-'21 NBA Season?
I don't think it necessarily SHOULD be a surprise since he has won it 2x but I think Steph Curry is a MVP candidate again and more or less wills his team into playoff race ala circa '06 Kobe.