The NBA is back! We had a jammed packed off-season with all sorts of player movement and drama. The NBA is doing a ton right in terms of keeping the NBA relevant and interesting. The other sports leagues should be taking notes.
Most notably of all, we will have a new representative from the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. With LeBron’s decision to leave Cleveland and join the Lakers, for the first time since the 2009-10 NBA Finals, LeBron’s team will not be the Eastern Conference representative.
And finally, there is at least a possibility that the Warriors won’t make the Finals this year, it may be microscopic, but it is there. The West is absolutely loaded, especially compared to the East. Expect to hear plenty of talk around March about how the NBA should allow the best 16 teams regardless of conference to make the playoffs.
Now on to the predictions:
Atlantic Division:
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Central Division:
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Southeast Division:
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Northwest Division:
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Pacific Division:
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Southwest Division:
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Playoffs:
Eastern Conference:
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Western Conference:
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Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics over Raptors
Western Conference Finals: Warriors over Rockets
NBA Finals: Warriors over Celtics
Awards:
MVP: Kawhi Leonard (Raptors)
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons (76ers) (just kidding) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Clippers)
Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse (Raptors)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
Sixth Man of the Year: Terry Rozier (Celtics)
Most Improved: Brandon Ingram (Lakers)
Hot Take: At least two Western Conference teams won’t make the playoffs that would’ve made the playoffs if they were in the East.