The NBA is back! Wait, did it ever leave? The Lakers return to action tonight which concludes the shortest off-season in NBA history at just 71 days since they won the championship in the NBA bubble.
This season is going to be interesting. First it is shorter than usual at only 72 games and it is starting in December rather than October. The teams will be travelling, but most arenas will not have any fans for the foreseeable future. It is a weird season to cap a weird year.
The biggest player news heading into this season was would Giannis sign the supermax extension or would he being playing out a final season before becoming a free agent? He signed and gives the Bucks some stability. Next, this year marks the return of Kevin Durant and the first time we will see him in action with Kyrie Irving? How will that play out, only time will tell. Perhaps the biggest player news is the unexpected headline that stole the show and could have a major impact on the predictions below. James Harden wants out of Houston. Will he get his wish and will it be during this season or after?
Now on to the predictions:
| Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors New York Knicks | Central Division: Milwaukee Bucks Indiana Pacers Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons | Southeast Division: Miami Heat Atlanta Hawks Washington Wizards Orlando Magic Charlotte Hornets |
| Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets Utah Jazz Portland Trail Blazers Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder | Pacific Division: Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Clippers Phoenix Suns Golden State Warriors Sacramento Kings | Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks New Orleans Pelicans Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies San Antonio Spurs |
Playoffs:
| Eastern Conference: 1. Bucks 2. Celtics 3. Nets 4. Heat 5. 76ers 6. Raptors 7. Hawks* 8. Pacers* 9. Wizards* 10. Magic* *Play-in tournament | Western Conference: 1. Lakers 2. Nuggets 3. Clippers 4. Mavericks 5. Jazz 6. Blazers 7. Suns* 8. Warriors* 9. Pelicans* 10. Rockets* *Play-in tournament |
Eastern Conference Finals: Nets over Bucks
Western Conference Finals: Lakers over Clippers
NBA Finals: Lakers over Nets
Awards:
MVP: Kevin Durant (Nets)
Rookie of the Year: LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
Coach of the Year: Erik Spoelstra (Heat)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Sixth Man of the Year: Michael Porter, Jr. (Nuggets)
Most Improved: Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
Executive of the Year: Sean Marks (Nets)
Hot Take: The Knicks will not be the worst team in the Eastern Conference (I say they just miss the 10th seed) this season and Obi Toppin will be in the mix for Rookie of the Year.
