The ripple effect of LeBron James' move to Los Angeles is more like a series of tidal waves.
Sure, the Golden State Warriors remain commanding favorites over the league, but this season our Basketball Power Index (BPI) preseason projections paint a different picture of the NBA -- and many of the changes can be attributed to James' departure from Cleveland.
The Los Angeles Lakers, with James at the helm, have a 5 percent chance of representing the West in the NBA Finals this season. That might not sound like a ton, but it's their best chance to pull off the feat according to preseason BPI since the 2011-12 season.