NBA Playoff Predictions, Analysis, Awards, and More

The NBA this year is going to be as balanced as it’s been in recent memory. With Kevin Durant leaving the Warriors, every team has an equal opportunity to take the Larry O’Brien trophy in June. There are lots of exciting duos set to play alongside each other this season. There are also some very, very hyped up rookies who are set to play their first seasons. This NBA season should be wild and one of the more unpredictable ones in recent history. It is going to come down to who’s healthy at the right time, who’s hitting on all strides, and who has what it takes to win it all.

Western Conference Standings:

1. Los Angeles Clippers (57-25)
2. Houston Rockets (54-28)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)
4. Denver Nuggets (51-31)
5. Utah Jazz (49-33)
6. Golden State Warriors (48-34)
7. Portland Trail Blazers (47-35)
8. San Antonio Spurs (46-36)

The biggest surprise to some people may be the Pelicans missing the playoffs. The Pelicans are loaded with exciting young talent. They have nice core pieces built for the future, but they just don’t have the experience. Newly drafted rookie phenom, Zion Williamson, will get a lot of buzz this season along with new teammates Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram aside him. There will be plenty of growing pains with this team. They are not equipped with a sufficient amount of shooters to compete in the loaded west. The team has too many new players and it will take time to mesh and learn how to play together. They will come close and probably contend for years to come, but right now is not their time.

Other than that, these teams make the playoffs regardless of standings. The Clippers added two of the best two-way players to an already loaded team full of dawgs on the court.

The Houston Rockets still have runner-up MVP James Harden and basically subtracted aging CP3 for the super athletic superstar Russell Westbrook. The Clippers are stacked from top to bottom and they have capable scorers on that team for when Paul George or Kawhi decide to take a rest.

I have super high expectations for the Lakers. The Lakers would have been a playoff team last season without all of their injuries. They were just never able to all be on the court at the same time, and once they did, it was too late. Brandon Ingram was out for the year, Lonzo Ball was out for the year, Lebron missed a couple months, Kuzma missed some games. The team was crippled. This offseason the Lakers added arguably the most dominant player of the 2010’s to run the offense alongside LeBron James. They also added reigning NBA Champion Danny Green, former DPOY candidates in Avery Bradley and a rejuvenated Dwight Howard. They did all this while keeping Kyle Kuzma. They are loaded and anything short of a trip to the NBA finals would be a disappointment.

The Denver Nuggets were one of the best teams in the league last year and they’re getting former No.1 college player Michael Porter Jr. to the mix. The Warriors lost KD to free agency and Klay Thompson should be out for a majority of the season with injury. They added D’Angelo Russell who should be enough to keep them competitive. People seem to forget what Stephen Curry is capable of because he took a backseat to KD.

The Jazz got better with Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic. The western conference should be a dog fight and I can’t wait.

Notable Acquisitions: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, J.J. Reddick, Derrick Favors, Jaxson Hayes

Eastern Conference Standings:

1. Philadelphia 76ers (58-24)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (55-27)
3. Toronto Raptors (52-30)
4. Boston Celtics (50-32)
5. Miami Heat (48-34)
6. Brooklyn Nets (47-35)
7. Indiana Pacers (46-36)
8. Detroit Pistons (44-38)

The Eastern Conference is full of young teams. The team who can most likely sneak into the playoffs is the Orlando Magic who made it last season with virtually the same team + Markelle Fultz. The Atlanta Hawks should also be in contention with rising star Trae Young and young guns: Cam Reddish, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter by his side.

The 76ers have arguably the best starting five in the NBA with lots of size. If Ben Simmons is able to shoot three 3-pointers around at a reasonable clip, watch out. The Bucks kept the same core in place while adding Brook Lopez’s twin brother, Robin. Giannis and co. should be enough to propel them to the top of the East.

The Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard ,which is obviously huge, but the team remained much the same. They also lost 3-and-D player Danny Green who fled to Tinsel Town. Pascal Siakam will be placed in a superstar role and I think he will prove he can be trusted to carry the load.

Yes, the Celtics lost Kyrie and Horford, but this team can arguably be better than last season. Kemba is a smaller, lesser version of Kyrie, but with a better attitude. Jayson Tatum will finally be the number one option on offense and will thrive. The Heat should be decent with the addition of Jimmy Butler.

The Nets added Kyrie, KD (sidelined for season), and Deandre Jordan to a team who already made the playoffs lead by D’Angelo Russell. The Pacers were already good, but a season-ending injury to Victor Oladipo crushed all their dreams of sniffing a title. He is back and should be ready to terrorize teams with his new teammate Malcolm Brodgdon.

Last, but not least, the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are one of the more underrated teams in the league in large part because, well, they’re the Pistons. Blake Griffin has quietly been killing it over there. With the addition of Derrick Rose they should only be better and should sneak in to that final spot over a team like the Magic.

MVP: LeBron James, G/F. Los Angeles Lakers

Honorable Mentions:

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Giannis Antetoukounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Rookie of the Year: Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Coach of the Year: Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Lakers

Honorable Mentions:

Mike Malone, Denver Nuggets

Brett Brown, Philadelphia 76ers

Defensive Player of the Year: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Honorable Mentions:

Anthony Davis, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers

Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz

Most Improved Player: Lonzo Ball, PG, New Orleans Pelicans

Honorable Mentions:

Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs

Dennis Smith Jr, New York Knicks

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, G, Los Angeles Clippers

Honorable Mentions:

Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers

Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers

J.J. Reddick, New Orleans Pelicans

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Prediction: Lakers win in 5

MVP: LeBron James