SBP’s Spot on Sports Forecast

We realize that saying SBP’s sports predictions are spot on is an incredibly risky move, but we had to get you reading somehow—right? Of course, you should know by now that we’re connoisseurs in real estate, but believe it or not we’re pretty darn apt in Los Angeles athletics, too. That’s why we’ve rounded up the ultimate sports forecast for the upcoming year. Sure, it’s subjective, but we’d like to believe SBP is never wrong. Just don’t quote us on that.

For the first time in a long time, there is plenty of excitement in Lakerland. With the off-season acquisition of Anthony Davis to pair with Lebron James and a young core, the NBA’s premier glamour franchise appears to be a bona fide title contender and is poised for a return to glory.

Not to be outdone, the Clippers also made a series of splashy off-season moves and now have their own superstar duo in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. In fact, the Lakers’ biggest roadblock this season just might be their long-ignored rival across town. Regardless of who comes out on top, one thing is clear: the road to the NBA Finals goes through Los Angeles.

With a new coach and generally the same team, the Kings are working towards creating a new identity. They have a great squad with potential but the competition is fierce. That being said, the Kings have always thrived under pressure. So expect to see them struggle before they have consistent success. The season just started last week and we remain hopeful. And in even better news? They’ve decided to cover the Taylor Swift banner in the Staples Center to banish her curse.

It’s a season to forget for the Bruins. Coach Chip Kelly has National Championship and NFL pedigree but has failed to deliver on his promise to turn this program around. The good news for UCLA fans? Basketball season is right around the corner.

Here at SBP, we’re partial to the Trojans. But while they continue to be competitive on the national stage, the recent loss to rival Notre Dame has the fanbase feeling deflated. Perhaps a victim of their own past success, USC football will always be held to the same standard: championship or bust. This season? Bust.

With a record of 2-4, the Chargers are off to a lackluster start this season. Once considered a Super Bowl contender after falling short in the playoffs last year, the Bolts will now look to rebound this weekend as they travel to Tennessee to take on the sputtering Titans. 

The Rams sport a respectable record in the NFC West. However, they are clearly not the high flying offense that LA fans saw in the Super Bowl last year. Quarterback Jared Goff seems to have regressed this year and injuries have taken a toll. Coach Sean McVay will have his work cut out for him if they want to see the playoffs again this year. In the meantime, the state-of-the-art stadium in Inglewood continues to make progress and is set for a grand unveiling next season. 

Fueled by Swedish soccer royalty Ivan Ibrahimovic, the LA Galaxy will kick off the playoffs against Minnesota United FC on October 20th. A win means they’ll advance to face LAFC in a game that’ll have the city torn in two.

In just their second season, LAFC finished first in the West division and enters the playoffs with a first-round bye. They are the new favorite MLS team in LA with their state-of-the-art stadium, celebrity owners (including Will Ferrell) and the best home-field advantage in soccer with their feverish fans who adorn all black every game. We’ll see if they can live up to the hype when the playoffs kick off October 24th in the Western Division Semifinal.  

Division Title? Check. League MVP? Check. World Series Title? Errr…despite performing as one of the best regular-season teams in history, the Dodgers left fans muttering a familiar refrain: there’s always next year. Yet again, hampered by a shaky bullpen and some questionable managerial decisions, the boys in blue fell short of playoff expectations by losing to the Washington Nationals in the NLDS. The future remains bright and the Dodgers are expecting to compete for a title again next season, but long-suffering fans will have to continue to wait for their first World Series title since 1988.