NBA PREDICTIONS 2019-2020

**EDITS MADE ON 11/17/2019 ONLY IN WESTERN CONFERENCE DUE TO STEPH CURRY INJURY ON WARRIORS

 

I am strongly biased, but if you are a sports fan I think you would agree the NBA has a strong argument for most exciting professional sport right now. After a frantic summer of free agent signings, the league is incredibly balanced and multiple teams have legitimate title hopes. Just making the playoffs is going to be hard for many teams!

Maybe this is my year to get these predictions totally right…

Or probably totally wrong, tbh.

The West is so deep that predicting correctly is almost impossible. I think there are 11 teams with realistic playoff hopes. The East is still weaker, but now there are two strong title contenders in the Sixers and Bucks.

So to skip all the blah blah here we go…

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) Sixers

The starting 5 will be one of the biggest and longest teams in NBA history. Watching the Sixers shut down other teams will be fun. Embiid seems ready for an MVP campaign. Biggest question: Who scores off the bench and hits 3s?

2) Bucks

Giannis will look to repeat as MVP and lead this team to their first title. I like the Korver and Wesley Matthews additions. Losing Brogdon may hurt, but I don’t think he’s as valuable as some others seem to believe. Biggest question: Can they defend the huge Sixers lineup?

3) Celtics 

I think the Celtics are going to be a strong side this year. Brad Stevens is an excellent coach and I think his competencies will shine through once again. Kemba will be great and Tatum and Brown are about to take bigger steps with Irving out of the picture. Also, Tacko Fall for rookie of the year, anyone? Biggest question: Do we see prime time Gordon Hayward again or only flashes?

4) Raptors

Too many are writing off the Raptors this year. Siakam going for 34 points and 18 boards last night in an OT win? Damn, maybe he can make the jump to superstar conversation. I think they are such a solid side and Van Fleet is going to provide a lot of swagger and confidence. Biggest question: If Siakam isn’t their clutch guy at the end, then who steps up?

5) Heat

I am really interested to see how this Jimmy Butler experiment turns out for this squad. I could see it going really well and also horribly. Or probably both at different times. Eric Spoelstra gets his guys to play hard at all times and Butler buys into that kind of culture. Tyler Herro may be a big draft steal. I think they will surpass most expectations. Biggest question: Can they avoid intra-squad drama and injuries?

6) Nets

Atkinson is a great coach who got a less talented Nets squad last year to over-perform and play well. Kyrie Irving is the big X-Factor here. Will he buy in totally or hurt the team culture? I think he will mostly buy in and I expect them to be a very solid team. Next year they will be incredibly dangerous with Durant. Biggest question (other than Kyrie): Do Deandre Jordan and Jarrett Allen play well together?

7) Magic

If Vucevic plays like he did last year, Gordon improves to All-Star level, and Fultz comes anywhere close to where people expected him to be, this team will be solid. They will beat the teams they should beat and steal wins from more talented teams. They play great team defense and buy into their coaches system. Biggest question: What will Fultz do for this team? He can raise them to another level. 

8) Pistons

This could end up being rather high for this team if they fall apart, but I’m betting on Coach Casey to get this team to snag the 8th seed. If Blake Griffin stays healthy, they will be in the fight until the end. Excited to see how Derrick Rose does this year for the team. Drummond rebounds like a monster. Biggest question: Who scores consistent buckets other than Griffin and maybe Rose?

9) Pacers

Perhaps my biggest surprise pick in the East. Some believe this team could finish as the 3rd seed, but I don’t see it happening with this roster. Not this year anyway, maybe in the future. Oladipo would need to return to superstar level quickly after a lengthy injury and Brogdon would need to play amazingly well. I love Sabonis and expect him to have a great year, but I really think this team is going to be on the playoff bubble as the season progresses. Biggest question: Does Brogdon play at the level some believe he can?

10) Bulls

This team seems more exciting and some think they may sneak into the playoffs. I do not think they are there yet, but they could be much better than last year. If Lavine has a high shooting percentage and Markkanen plays at a higher level, they will be good. I like the Thadeus Young and Satoransky pick-ups. White from UNC could turn out to be a great pick. Keep an eye on this team. Biggest question: Does Markkanen take the next step towards being an All Star?

11) Hawks

C’mon Vince Carter! Time for a lovely farewell season. Perhaps a playoff bid? Probably not this year, unfortunately. Trae Young will look to continue his hot finish from last season and John Collins will want to take another step. They could be a hard team to beat. Biggest question: How productive will De’Andre Hunter be for them?

12) Wizards

Not sure what’s going on here. Good for them getting Beal to sign an extension, but they are just not that great. I’m definitely rooting for Isaiah Thomas to show some of his old self, but other than that, who knows. Biggest question: Will Beal get traded at some point?

13) Knicks

This team is going to try to bully other teams. With Booby Portis, Taj Gibson, Marcus Morris, and Julius Randle I would avoid a scuffle at all costs. However, this tandem with the guards on the squad will not result in a great basketball team. They could beat some much better teams though on the right night. Biggest question: How do Randle and Mitchell Robinson do playing together?

14) Cavaliers

Ugggg this team is concerning. Cheering for Beilein in his first year as an NBA coach, but they don’t have the pieces. Hoping Kevin Love gets traded to a playoff squad. Biggest question: How do Sexton and Garland play together?

15) Hornets

Putting all your money on Terry Rozier was a horrible choice. It may end up only being a bad choice, but right now it seems horrible. I have nothing against Rozier, but based on last year he is at best a really good back-up point guard. We’ll see what they can put together. Biggest question: Who steps up and shows some promise for the future?

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Clippers

Leonard and George are two of the best players in the league. Leonard is arguably the best. Their crunch line-up could be crazy good when you consider they have sweet Lou and Montrez Harrell. Biggest question: Can they stay healthy and peak at the right time?

2) Nuggets

This team could be so good, but they fly a bit under the radar being in the West. Jokic will be an MVP candidate and Grant will turn out to be a huge pick-up. If Porter Jr. is helpful at all and Murray takes the next step then they might be making the Finals. Biggest question: Do their youngsters take that next step to get them through the deep West?

3) Lakers

How good can Lebron be at 34 and 35? Can AD stay healthy all season? If these two play the whole season with limited time missed, this team can finish this high in the standings. If they don’t, then this team may struggle. The roster other than the top two is strange, but they have some really solid role players. If this team figures it all out, they could win the championship. Rooting for Dwight Howard to make it through the whole season without being released. Biggest question: Can Lebron stay healthy and play as well as he has his whole career? 

4) Rockets

This team could self-implode, but I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt. I was never a big Westbrook fan, but I think it would be exciting and better for the league if he and Harden figured out how to co-exist. This team could be really great, or they fall apart and struggle to make the playoffs. Hats off to Harden though for being one of the best scorers of all time. Biggest question: Do Westbrook and Harden play well together?

5) Jazz

Quinn Snyder is a boss and coaches a great basketball team. Adding Mike Conley should only help matters. I think Bogdanovic and Ed Davis are great pick-ups and I really like Ingles. If Donovan Mitchell takes the next step and Gobert plays at Defensive Player of the Year level, then this team could finish higher and compete in the playoffs. Biggest question: Does Mike Conley stay healthy all season?

6) Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is ready to go off again. He is ice-cold and I love his mentality. They rely a little too heavily on their wings and I’m not all about Rodney Hood, but I could be. Getting Nurkic back at some point will help, but Whiteside has a chance to show he is actually a good player. LETS GO CARMELO ANTHONY! Biggest question: Does CJ McCollum play at an All Star level?

7) Spurs

Coach Pop will continue his amazing playoff streak. I think getting Murray back alongside White will make for a great back court and I expect them to figure it all out somehow. Pop is such a great coach and I think Derozan and Aldridge will still be really good. Biggest question: What happens if they are out of the playoff picture? Trades?

8) Mavericks

How can you not be excited for Doncic and Porzingis to play together? Carlisle is such a great coach so expect this team to compete. They are still lacking for talent around their top two, but they may sneak into the playoffs. I always loved Dirk, so I’m cheering for this team to surprise. Biggest question: Other than Doncic and Porzingis, who becomes their main third option?

9) Suns

I really like the Rubio pick-up. He gets a ton of hate, but I think he will really help this squad, especially Booker. Rubio is a leader and he just helped Spain win FIBA. He also outplayed Westbrook in the playoffs at times. Cheering for former Sixer Saric to have a productive year. Biggest question: Does Booker play at an All Star level all year?

10) Pelicans

Oh Zion, please stay healthy after this injury. This team has the potential to be so good and who doesn’t want to see Reddick keep his playoff streak alive? The West is just so deep. Excited for Lonzo Ball to play in a different environment than LA and cheering for Jrue Holiday. Biggest question: What will their best lineups be with so many options?

11) Kings

Expect the Kings to be competitive and maybe knocking on the playoff door. Buddy Hield is an amazing shooter and Fox has lightning speed. Bagley should be really good this year. If Luke Walton figures things out quickly, they could be a playoff squad. Biggest question: What kind of production do you get from Barnes and Giles?

12) Timberwolves

This squad puts too much trust in Wiggins, but they have to because of how much money they pay him. Towns is an amazing player, but he will have to wait to play on a competitive team. I hope Covington is healthy all year. Biggest question: Do they over-perform and compete for a playoff spot?

13) Thunder

Chris Paul will ultimately get traded, but he might help the team snag some early wins. They are all-in on Alexander from the Clippers. Gotta love Steven Adams. Biggest question: Which other youngsters step up for the future?

14) Warriors

*Due to Steph Curry injury, this team is unfirtunatley already out of the playoff picture.

15) Grizzlies

Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson are a future worth betting on, as they Grizzlies have decided to do. I love Valanciunas, but this team has little to no playoff hopes in the West. Nice time to develop their youngsters. Biggest question: Can Morant win Rookie of the Year?

Eastern Conference Finals: Sixers over Bucks in 6

Western Conference Finals: Clippers over Lakers in 6

 

NBA Finals: Clippers vs. Sixers

NBA Champions: SIXERS in 7

 

MVP: Giannis, Bucks

Rookie of the Year: Zion, Pelicans (pending a mostly healthy season)

First Team All NBA: Harden, Doncic, Leonard, Giannis, Embiid