I’m feeling like a combination of Nostradomus and Charles Barkley so here are my picks for everything you wanted to know about this NBA season and more! Let’s start at the bottom…
Worst team: Atlanta Hawks
If you look at their roster, the casual NBA fan might not find a single name they know. The other contenders for “best” worst team all have at least one established name or hot rookie. De’Aaron Fox, Dirk Nowitzki, Eric Bledsoe, and the Lakers young guys are all much more notable than the Hawks lineup. A close second to the Hawks is the Bulls roster…ouch.
Surprisingly Good team: Milwaukee Bucks
Okay, okay. Maybe not a huge shock but I could see the Bucks reaching as high as the third or fourth spot in the East this year. They will win more than 45 games this year.
The “Yikes. They’re making the playoffs?” team: Charlotte Hornets
Dwight Howard is clearly a problem. He’s seemingly transitioning to now his 24th new team after everyone else has passed on such a headache. I think he and Kemba Walker will butt heads big time as the season progresses. The East as a whole is pretty bad so they will make the cut even while dealing with chaos. Poor Malik Monk. I wished better for you.
Most Likely Eric Bledsoe Destination: Denver Nuggets
It doesn’t seem like the Nuggets are too high on Mudiay the past couple months. He has been involved in more trade discussions than I can count. Bledsoe could give Denver the point guard they need to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
The “Nothing Has Changed” Team: Toronto Raptors
The only thing that has changed with this Raptors team in the past two years is a trade for Serge Ibaka. Other than that, this is the same exact team that got swept by a mediocre Wizards team two years ago. Drake is the only person that shakes things up for this team.
Most Annoying Topic: Will Lebron go to L.A. after this year?
I want to hear this as much as Blake Griffin wants another surgery.
MVP: James Harden, Houston Rockets
James has been so close to winning MVP the past two season, but instead was outlasted by Curry and Westbrook in historic fashion. I think he finally gets it this year as he pairs up with Chris Paul.
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Kawhi Leonard should be healthy enough to potentially win this award. He will also have to contribute more on the offensive side this year so his defense might slip a little. Draymond is another likely candidate and could very well outlast Gobert for this title. Gobert on the other hand will lead the league in blocks and be among the leaders in rebounds, along with a definitive role in the Jazz system.
Rookie of the Year: De’Aaron Fox, Sacremento Kings
Most of the hype has been around Lonzo Ball this preseason. Not only do I not think Lonzo wins, but I don’t think he finishes second either. Ben Simmons was the other contender I thought about winning this title since both he and Fox with have the reigns of the offense to experiment with. I think Fox is a super athlete who could be a difference maker at both ends right away.
Most Improved Player: Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
I expect big things from Paul George this year. I never really saw Paul George as an alpha in the first place so I think his new spot alongside Russell Westbrook is perfect for him. This would be his second time winning this award if he does so.
Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, L.A. Clippers
Some guys just have a knack for winning certain awards. Lou Williams is a Jamal Crawford clone in this way. Jamal won two of these bad boys so I would assume Lou would want to match him. He is in a good scenario to do so as the Clippers will need all the offensive help they can get.
Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
This Celtics team is much improved from a talent standpoint than rosters in recent years. If the Celtics win 58+ games this year, Stevens is a shoe-in for the award. I wanted to go contrarian and pencil in Jason Kidd since the Bucks should also be much improved. It’s hard to go against one of the best coaches in the league, who has something to prove, and most likely to do so.
Shaqtin’ a Fool MVP: Joakim Noah, New York Knicks
Joakim better steer clear of Shaq’s list. He has a knack of finding a favorite player to make fun of and attack then all season. Joakim’s game has taken a downturn since his peak in 2014 and his mid range shot has been…well, lets just hope Joakim can keep it together this year.
West Playoffs (by seed)
Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Blazers, Jazz
East Playoffs (by seed)
Celtics, Cavaliers, Wizards, Bucks, Raptors, Heat, Hornets, 76ers
Western Conference Finals
Warriors vs Thunder
Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics vs Cavaliers
Finals
Warriors vs Cavaliers
NBA Champions: Golden State Warriors
Finals MVP: Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
