This article is about my prediction on where all the teams will rank in their conferences. I am also predicting which players will win awards and which team will win the NBA Championship.
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers probably had the most impactful offseason this year out of all the teams in the East. They improved their team and I believe that the process will lead them to an NBA Championship appearance and possibly a win.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
With the loss of Malcom Brogdon the Bucks got worse while most teams around them got better. They still have most of their team and the reigning MVP so I think they won’t fall too far without Brogdon.
3. Boston Celtics
Even with the loss of Horford, Morris, Rozier, and Irving I think the Celtics will be better than last year. They have better chemistry and they have added Kemba, Enes Kanter, and a lot of good rookies too. I also believe Tatum and Brown will have a better year than last.
4. Indiana Pacers
With Victor Olidepo coming back and adding Malcom Brogdon, TJ McConnell, Jeremy Lamb, and Goga Bitadze this Pacers team has gotten a lot better. They are going to be a team to beat this year.
5. Brooklyn Nets
More additions than subtractions will put the Nets team at a higher seed than last year. Kyrie Irving is better than D’Angelo Russell and they added De’Andre Jordan. The Nets can be scary in the postseason if they also get KD back from injury.
6. Miami Heat
With an easy schedule and an easy division this team will have a solid record. Having added a star like Jimmy Butler to a starless team will help them get into the postseason.
7. Toronto Raptors
With losing Kawhi this Raptors team isn’t gonna go too far this postseason. Their team has gotten worse while many other teams have improved. They are in the toughest division in the Eastern Conference.
8. Detroit Pistons
With being a playoff team last year and getting Derek Rose, this team will be good enough in the East to be a playoff team yet again. The addition of Sekou Doumbouya will really help this team fill out the bench. Bruce Brown and Luke Kennard will have better seasons than last year and this will help the Pistons be a playoff team.
9. Orlando Magic
The team that I believe will just miss the playoffs is the Magic. They made no key additions going into this year. Nikola Vucevic will also not have the season he did last year. I don’t see the Magic being quite as good especially since the Heat and Hawks should be better.
10. Atlanta Hawks
With an older and more mature team this Hawks roster may be in the playoff picture. They have made some key additions through the draft and with the pickup of Jabari Parker they will be a team to watch.
11. Washington Wizards
With no John Wall because of an injury, this will just be a repeat of last year for the Wizards. The best thing the Wizards can do is to go into tank mode and trade Beal this year and trade Wall next year. If they fall enough in the draft they can get RJ Hampton who is basically John Wall with a jumper and a little bit taller.
12. Chicago Bulls
With the Bulls young talent getting older I feel like the Bulls are just a season or two away from a playoff team. If the Bulls can stay healthy they will be a contender for that 8 seed.
13. The New York Knicks
With all of these additions, I can see the Knicks being a little higher than where I have put them right now. They are still the Knicks and they will probably find a way to mess something up.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
With the hardest schedule in the Eastern Conference the Cavs are going to be seeing another season at the bottom. The pairing of Garland and Sexton is interesting because it has a good chance to be successful or the pairing could just hurt both basketball players.
15. Charlotte Hornets
With probably the worst roster in the NBA it really isn’t much of a surprise to see the Hornets here. With more subtractions than additions this Hornets team had the roughest offseason. They lost Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb which were their best two players. By adding Terry Rozier the Hornets should hope they see a lot more of Scary Terry this season, if they don’t want to finish last.
Western Conference
1.Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are looking to put their 17th banner up in the rafters. With all the pressure on the Lakers to succeed, I can’t see this team falling past a 3 seed as long as everyone stays healthy
2. Los Angeles Clippers
What is there to say about the Clippers that hasn’t already been said. They went to six games against the Western Conference champs last year and that was without Kawhi and Paul George. This team is gonna be a scary team this season
3. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are a young and fun team and if Michael Porter Jr can come back then I can see this Nuggets team being a playoff team for years and years to come.
4. Utah Jazz
With the addition of Mike Conley the Jazz are going to get better. I think Utah will have a big year but I still don’t think they have enough to topple the Lakers or Clippers.
5. Houston Rockets
By adding Russell Westbrook, I think the Rockets will be better than last year. I can’t see the Rockets having a big playoff run with two ball hogs on their team. It will be interesting to see how Harden and Westbrook play together.
6. Portland Trailblazers
This Trailblazers team had a big postseason last year and I expect them to have a better year now that Jesus Nurkic will be back and that they have added Hassan Whiteside.
7. Golden State Warriors
Even with the departure of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson being out due to injury, I see this Warriors team as a playoff team. I think Curry is going to have a monster year. Draymond will be a beast defender and Russell will fit in nicely with Golden State.
8. San Antonio Spurs
I think the Spurs will just beat out the Pelicans and the other teams because of there coaching and veteran players. Demar Derozan and the rest of the team is really good, especially with their deep bench and experienced players and amazing coaching staff.
9. New Orleans Pelicans
With all of their additions, I can see the Pelicans reaching the playoffs. However, they have two big problems, they are a really young team and they are in a stacked Western Conference.
10. Dallas Mavericks
Luka and Kristaps playing together will be scary but they are still a young team. If they were to get one more big name, then I can see them being a playoff team but we will have to see what they can do.
11. Sacramento Kings
De’aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley and most of the Kings roster is getting better. However, I’m not sure this Kings team is old enough or good enough to make the playoffs and I do think they will be in contention for that 8 seed.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
With a stacked Western Conference, the Timberwolves would need a miracle to make the playoffs. Karl Anthony Towns is gonna have a big year but I don’t really know what the rest of their team can do.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
With Jaren Jackson Jr getting better and a solid bench, this Grizzlies team has a solid roster. However, in the West this isn’t good enough. Ja Morant is the cornerstone of this Grizzlies team. With Ja’s potential, the Grizzlies might just have an NBA Championship team in the future.
14. Phoenix Suns
With Devin Booker wanting to win now, it is in the Suns best interest to try to make the playoffs this year so they can keep Booker happy. With Booker and Ayton I don’t see them being the worst team this season in the West.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
With the loss of Russell Westbrook and Paul George this Thunder team will be hoping to lose a lot of games this year. They want to trade CP3 and this would make the Thunder team starless for the first time.
NBA Awards and NBA Champions
MVP: Stephen Curry
ROTY: Zion Williamson
DPOTY: Giannis Antetokounmpo
MIP: Jayson Tatum
All Defensive First Team:
Guard: Jrue Holiday
Guard: Paul George
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Forward: Anthony Davis
Center: Rudy Gobert
All Defensive Second Team:
Guard: Lonzo Ball
Guard: Marcus Smart
Forward: Kawhi Leonard
Forward: Draymond Green
Center: Myles Turner
All Rookie First Team:
Guard: Ja Morant
Guard:RJ Barrett
Forward: De’Andre Hunter
Forward: Zion Williamson
Center: Jaxson Hayes
All Rookie Second Team:
Guard: Jarret Culver
Guard: Darius Garland
Forward: Rui Hachimura
Forward: PJ Washington
Center: Goga Bitadze
All NBA First Team:
Guard: Lebron James
Guard: Stephen Curry
Forward: Kawhi Leonard
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Nikola Jokic
All NBA Second Team:
Guard: Kyrie Irving
Guard: James Harden
Forward: Paul George
Forward: Anthony Davis
Center: Joel Embiid
All NBA Third Team:
Guard: Damien Lillard
Guard: Ben Simmons
Forward: Luka Doncic
Forward: Blake Griffin
Center: Karl Anthony Towns
NBA Champions: Los Angeles Clippers
Lebron James is an absolute beast in the postseason but so is Kawhi. Lebrons kryptonite is Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers have a deep bench which the Lakers don’t. Kawhi beat the 76ers last year with a worse team than he has this year. I do believe the 76ers got better but not enough to defeat the Clippers.
Tyler's Take 