Has Damian Lillard’s partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo destroyed LeBron James’ chances of winning a fifth ring?

LeBron James is ready to enter his 21st NBA season. King James was selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 draft and is the only active player remaining from his draft class. Still, he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. At age 38, LeBron is averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. The 19-time All-Star, who won four championships during his career, hopes to put another ring on his finger to tie Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s record .

However, Damian Lillard’s recent trade to the Milwaukee Bucks to join Giannis Antetokounmpo may have ruined King James’ chances of winning a fifth championship ring. Let’s take a deeper look at LeBron’s chances of winning another championship next season following a huge power shift in the NBA.

Can LeBron James beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard?

The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the NBA world by completing a three-team trade that sent superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. That makes the Milwaukee Bucks the favorites. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company were the No. 1 seed last season. They could have made another trip to the Finals if the two-time MVP hadn’t been injured in the first round of the playoffs against Miami.

The addition of Lillard further enhances the Bucks’ already complete lineup. After the DM trade, their projected starting lineup includes Damian Lillard, Pat Connaughton, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. This is a lethal starting five considering four of the five players played at an All-Star level last year. The Milwaukee Bucks will miss the presence of veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who was traded to acquire the seven-time All-Star.

In addition to having a lethal starting five, the Bucks also have a strong bench that can control the game when their stars rest. The Milwaukee Bucks’ bench includes Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic, Malik Beasley and others.

An improvement in the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster could hinder LeBron James’ chances of winning a fifth championship. The Los Angeles Lakers also made major moves this summer to improve their roster. After experiencing a reversal in the middle of last season, the Lakers unexpectedly reached the Western Conference Finals. But they couldn’t get past the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. Clowney and his team dominated LeBron’s team and swept them in the series.

After the Lakers’ impressive comeback, Rob Pelinka gave the team another chance. He signed multi-year contracts with a young core of players including Austin Reeves, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Jared Vanderbilt. The Los Angeles Lakers also signed several solid role players to play alongside LeBron and AD.

Pelinka added Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes and Cam Reddish to the team. The addition of these role players has greatly increased the depth of the Lakers’ lineup. It also gives them the flexibility to experiment with their starting lineup depending on the opponent.

If the four superstars in Los Angeles and Milwaukee cancel each other out, the outcome will depend on the players surrounding the superstars. The combination of LeBron and AD is very similar to the newly formed duo of Lillard and Giannis, with one being the playmaker and the other dominating the paint. Therefore, LeBron’s success in his 21st season will largely depend on his supporting cast.

The Lakers’ current starting lineup includes D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reeves, LeBron James, Jared Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis. But that lineup is likely to change throughout the season. If we look at it from a head-to-head comparison, the Los Angeles Lakers have more firepower off the bench.

They have young players who proved their mettle in the playoffs last season. So even though Dahm and Giannis have changed the power dynamics in the NBA, LeBron James still has a legitimate shot at winning his fifth ring. However, LeBron James will have to overcome other teams besides the Milwaukee Bucks to win a championship.

LeBron has more competition in the West

Only if both teams emerge from their respective divisions and meet in the finals will LeBron James face the newly formed superstars of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo combination. But the road to the NBA Finals won’t be easy for either team. Last season, the West was dominated by Nikola Jokic and his teammates. They will remain NBA champions until they are defeated. Clowney humiliated LeBron and AD in the Western Conference Finals, and there’s no guarantee he won’t do it again this time.

There is also a new force emerging in the West, with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal paired in Phoenix. This trio is an offensive juggernaut with the ability to dominate a game at any given moment. In addition to the Phoenix Suns, several other teams also made significant improvements to their rosters during the offseason. LeBron James will have to go through tough competition if he wants to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the fifth time in his career.

Watch this story: It wasn’t Michael Jordan, but Kobe Bryant who ignited the fire inside Dwyane Wade and redefined LeBron James and his own legacy