Another NBA season is upon us and there’s certainly no way to tell how this one might play out.
There are a host of legitimate contenders in both conferences while very few teams can be dismissed as lottery-bound clubs.
The Celtics enter the season as the lukewarm betting favorite but even they have significant questions to answer, most notably whether an interim coach can lead them to the promised land. The Nets looked to be breaking apart during the offseason but with Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving suiting up after all, they’re going to be a force. The Heat, Bucks and Sixers also have enough talent to make a serious run for Eastern Conference supremacy and the Cavaliers, Raptors and Hawks could contend if everything falls into place.
In the West, the championship runs through Golden State until someone knocks the Warriors from their perch. They have all of their top rotation players back, plus some young talent ready to contribute. The Clippers and Lakers have their dynamic duos, the Suns are only a year removed from a Finals appearance and the Timberwolves, with the addition of Rudy Gobert, are eager to join the elite. The same can be said for Grizzlies and Pelicans, while the Mavericks and healthier Nuggets are also knocking at the door.
Individually, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo know what it takes to win the Most Valuable Player award but Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid are actually the betting favorites to gain that distinction this season. Vets like Stephen Curry, Durant and LeBron James can’t easily be eliminated from that discussion.
The Rookie of the Year chase should also be spirited. Chet Holmgren won’t be able to compete due to injury but top pick Paolo Banchero and fellow top-five selections Jabari Smith, Keegan Murray and Jaden Ivey will have prominent roles on their teams. The sixth pick, Bennedict Mathurin, should also put up big numbers on a rebuilding team.
With all that mind, it’s time to make your picks: Which teams do you predict will represent their respective conferences in this season’s Finals? Who’s your top choice for the MVP award? And who do you believe will gain Rookie of the Year honors?
Please take to the comments section to give us your selections. We look forward to your input.
After a hard fought 7 games series with the Clippers the Nuggets will beat Boston in 6.
Jokic will deserve his 3rd consecutive MVP but voter fatigue will result in Tatum winning his 1st.
Keegan Murray will win R.O.Y. on the back of the Kings surprising run to the 8th seed.
Tari Eason will prove he’s the steal of the draft and win ROY
G.S. Wins again (unfortunately) over Miami in 6
MVP : Embiid
RoY : Jabari Smith
GSW win the ring
Curry wins MVP
Gunna be the like this for a few years here…
Hey Kiddo, it was a hell of a run and I actually enjoyed watching it unfold but I hope you enjoyed the festivities this evening. This will the last ring ceremony in the Bay Area for a long time.
The A’s, Eathquakes and Sharks suck, the Giants and 49ers are mediocre and the Warriors are getting old.
Curry established himself as an all time great and the 2nd best PG of all time but how much longer can those old brittle ankles hold up? How many more teammates will Green piss off? There’s some good young talent but you know in deep in your heart that none of them are as good as Wiggins let alone Thompson and Curry. This is the last chance but Leonard will once again break the hearts of the Warriors faithful only this time in the Western Conference Semis and then the proverbial window slams shut.
Don’t worry though, not all is gloomy for “A’sfaninUK”. He’s looking forward to changing his name to something like ARockiesfaninGermany and jumping on the Nuggets bandwagon.
I predict the Clippers will beat the Bucks in the finals.
MVP- Luka Doncic
ROY- Bennedict Mathurin
Nets over Clippers in 7
Luka for MVP
Keegan Murray for ROY
Celts over Clips in 7
MVP Tatum
ROY Keegan Murray
COY JB Bickerstaff
DPOY Andrew Wiggins
Following the season, James Dolan shocks the league with the surprise planned sale of the Knicks and MSG
Finals for the EC is a toss between BRK, MIL & PHI… the WC is easier DEN is the clear favorite!
MVP – Luka
ROY – Chet was the clear favorite… so now it will go to Banchero.
Denver? I think not, personally. I see clippers, warriors and suns as the top 3 out west, Boston Milwaukee and Philly in the East. League is pretty deep in both conferences so it should be fun to find out
It’s the Clippers in six over the Bucks. The MVP award will go to Kawahi if he stays healthy. I will go with Mobely as the dark horse.
Luka – MVP
Bucks over Nuggets in finals
ROY – Paolo
76ers over Clippers in 6
MVP Giannis
MIP Maxey
ROTY Paolo
DPOTY Ben Simmons
COTY Spolestra
Executive Morey
Luka for MVP and first round exit.