By AARON MARASIA
The NBA returned last month for a shortened 72-game season. Unfortunately, fans will not be allowed due to COVID-19 guidelines. But many other fanatics and I are still ecstatic amidst a season of change. I predict that the Los Angeles Lakers will repeat as league champions, however, there are a plethora of teams with championship aspirations, headlined by the Brooklyn Nets. Here are my full predictions.
Eastern Conference
- Brooklyn Nets
A healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, along with newly acquired James Harden, look to be one of the league’s elite trios. Hall of Famer Steve Nash is making his coaching debut, so it will be interesting to see how well he manages the moody Irving and Harden. I can see some chemistry issues arising, with Irving already missing several games due to personal reasons. They are my pick to make it to the finals in the East, but Harden may not fit well with two other ball dominant players.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
For the past 2 seasons, the Bucks have been led by back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately, they have failed to make it past the Eastern Conference finals in both of these seasons. The Bucks are in a win-now situation and spent the offseason trading away future picks for current assets to make a more complete championship roster. I do think they have improved, but they will ultimately lose to the Nets and miss the finals.
- Miami Heat
After a finals loss to the Lakers, the Heat should continue to be a premier team. Star players Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will continue to lead, but the continued development of Tyler Herro can push the team to another level. I don’t expect a finals repeat, but I think they will have a good run in the playoffs.
- Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers cleaned up their roster and front office this offseason after another early playoff exit. They brought in former Rockets Executive Daryl Morey and ex-Clippers coach Doc Rivers, even though both are known for coming up short in the playoffs. They traded away Josh Richardson and Al Horford and added two sharpshooters in Seth Curry and Danny Green. These two will help the roster, centered around Ben Simmons and Embiid, with some much-needed perimeter shooting.
- Boston Celtics
The Celtics should continue to get better with the improvement of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Following another disappointing postseason, this team will be competitive, although I still think they are missing a vital factor strong enough to stop the likes of Antetekumpo, Embiid, or Adebayo in the playoffs. The addition of Tristan Thompson should help this problem, but with Kemba Walker out with a knee injury, they are missing their lead playmaker for the start of the season.
- Toronto Raptors
While being temporarily relocated to Tampa due to Canada’s COVID-19 guidelines, the Raptors should continue to win games with a core crew made up of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Kyle Lowry. The key questions for their team are how much more can Siakam develop as a player, and will Lowry continue his all-star level playing as he ages (he will turn 35 this season). Despite the losses of big men Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, this team will most likely make the playoffs again.
- Indiana Pacers
Last year the Pacers played even better than originally expected, finishing as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. I don’t expect this team to make it past the first round of the playoffs, but nevertheless, they are a solid team with underrated stars including Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon. Caris LeVert, who was just traded for Victor Oladipo, will be another key player for Indiana.
8. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks spent a large sum of money on free agency, signing Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Rajon Rondo. Their offense will be electric headed by Trae Young, but it is their defense that will determine their success. I like this team’s depth and would not be surprised if they do make the playoffs. However, their key free-agent signings need to remain healthy as all 3 have been out with injuries.
9. Washington Wizards
Newly acquired star point guard Russell Westbrook should create a cohesive dynamic duo with Bradley Beal. The Wizards have started off as one of the worst teams in the league, but it will take time for Westbrook and Beal to develop chemistry. I will be surprised if they don’t turn it around, but injuries to Westbrook and starting center Thomas Bryant derail their playoff aspirations.
10. Orlando Magic
It seems every year the Magic are mediocre, but somehow manage to squeeze their way into the playoffs. This year the East is stronger, so I expect them to be in the middle of the pack, but not good enough to make the playoffs. They probably should trade Aaron Gordon or Nikola Vucevic at the deadline, as they are not going to be contending any time soon, and should rebuild fully. An ACL tear to Markelle Fultz really hurts them, as he has been continuing to improve.
11. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets confuse me. They draft potential superstar point guard Lamelo Ball to be the cornerstone of the team, but then sign aging star Gordon Hayward to a massive 4-year, 33 million dollar per year contract. Hayward will make this team more competitive in the short term, but he won’t make them a lock to make the playoffs. Ball, Devonte Graham, and PJ Washington are a good, young core group, but Hayward will prevent them from getting another top pick.
12. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have quite a few talented young players, but they have underperformed and failed to meet expectations in past years. Under new coach Billy Donovan I think this team will be better and can push for a playoff spot if Coby White develops into a star guard and Wendell Carter Jr. stays healthy. Carter, White, Zach Lavine, Lauri Markkenen, and rookie Patrick Williams prove to be a young and exciting group of players, but I think it will take one more year for them to compete for the playoffs.
- New York Knicks
As an avid fan, it pains me to say that despite their semi-hot start led by Julius Randle, the Knicks will probably once again be one of the worst teams in the league. The best thing for this team to do is grow defensively under new coach Tom Thibodeau, and let the young guys play. RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and Immanuel Quickley need to get consistent minutes this season. If any of these players develop into long-term starters, this season should be seen as a win for the Knicks.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers need to trade away Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. as soon as possible. They are only getting older and do not help chances of getting the first overall pick. Trading for Andre Drummond last season was a questionable move as he also does not fit the profile for their rebuilding. Collin Sexton, who was underrated last-season, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr., and Isaac Okoro are all intriguing prospects but none of them has the superstar potential to become the next Lebron James or Kyrie Irving of the franchise. Like the Knicks, if this core plays well, the season should be seen as positive.
- Detroit Pistons
The Pistons’ offseason was very confusing. In the first round, they drafted French point guard Killian Hayes, small forward Saddiq Bey, and center Isaiah Stewart. Then they signed 4, yes, 4, big men in the following days. None of which were as good as budding star Christian Wood, whom they let walk in as a free agent. The Pistons should have gone full rebuild and built around Hayes and Wood. But they decided to make win-now moves, that won’t even help them win now. On the bright-side, Jerami Grant has been putting up all-star level numbers in his first year in Detroit.
Western Conference
- Los Angeles Lakers
The reigning champions added the 2 best bench players to their roster in Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrel. Barring an injury to Lebron James or Anthony Davis, this team should be favored to win the finals again. They are the most dominant team in the league, and somehow managed to get even better this offseason.
- Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers responded to a blown lead in the Western Conference semifinals by replacing head coach Doc Rivers with Tyronn Lue. In addition, they lost the reigning sixth man of the year, Montrezl Harrel to their Los Angeles counterparts, the Lakers. I don’t like the Tyronn Lue hire, but at least signing Serge Ibaka will fill the shoes left by Harrel. However, they are still without a dominant guard that Kawahi Leonard was pushing for, and without a lead creator, this team will remain inferior to the Lakers.
- Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets surprised everyone by coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs to the Clippers and Jazz. Nikola Jokic will continue to dominate, but only if Jamal Murray can consistently score 25-plus points will they be true contenders to win the title. Another player that can push them to contention will be Michael Porter Jr. who has shown a few quick flashes of stardom but has continued to be plagued by injuries.
- Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will continue to lead this group. With the help of a strong and supportive team, they will certainly perform well, but they are still missing a third star to truly contend. A bounce-back season from Mike Conley may be the solution to this problem.
- Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is my predicted favorite to win MVP this season, but with Kristaps Porzingis slowly coming back from an injury, they may not be ready to compete with the league’s top teams. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Richardson need to up their scoring in the absence of Porzingis, but, overall, I expect the Mavericks to have a good record.
- Portland Trail Blazers
After barely making the playoffs last season, I do think the Trail Blazers will be better. As long as Damian Lillard stays healthy, this team will be good, but not great. They upgraded their depth by adding Robert Covington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Enes Kanter. Like the Jazz, however, the Blazers are still missing the third star needed to compliment the abilities of Lillard and CJ McCollum.
- Phoenix Suns
The Suns had a great run in the NBA bubble, going 8-0 before falling just short of the playoffs. Building off of that strong showing from Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the additions of Chris Paul and Jae Crowder will make them a playoff-worthy team. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson are 2 underrated key players who deserve more recognition.
8. Golden State Warriors
With Klay Thompson suffering from another devastating injury, the Warriors’ championship aspirations have been destroyed. They have a solid starting lineup, so I expect them to be competing for one of the final playoff spots, but Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins need to be consistent on both ends of the court for them to win games. If Steph Curry can return to his MVP level of play, they will have a chance at an upset in the postseason.
9. Houston Rockets
After trading disgruntled superstar James Harden, the Rockets are led by Victor Oladipo, John Wall, Christian Wood, and Demarcus Cousins. Wall and Cousins are extremely injury-prone, but if they can remain on the court I believe this team can possibly squeeze into the postseason.
- New Orleans Pelicans
I expect Zion Williamson to continue his ascension to stardom. I love him and Brandon Ingram as a young dynamic duo, but I don’t think coach Stan Van Gundy is the best hire to develop the two along with Lonzo Ball. Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams add to the depth of this team and bring playoff experience. I can see them competing for the final playoff spot, but I still think they need 1 more year.
- Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies surprised everyone last year by being the 9th seed. Like the Pelicans, this team is young and their success falls into how much more Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and their surrounding core can grow. The thing that worries me about this team is Morant getting hurt, as his electric play style reminds me of a young Derrick Rose. This team is good, but in a loaded Western Conference, I doubt they will make the playoffs.
- Minnesota Timberwolves
You would think 2 all-star, caliber players and the first overall pick in this year’s draft would be projected higher. However, I don’t think this is a winning team. Karl Anthony-Towns and D’Angelo Russell are great offensively, but their defense will be their major flaw. They lack the depth of a playoff team, but if rookie Anthony Edwards can turn into their third star, they have a chance.
- Sacramento Kings
The Kings are in a tough place. They are not bad enough to tank the season completely but are not good enough to make the playoffs. De’Aaron Fox and rookie Tyrese Haliburton will be a strong backcourt for years to come, but the rest of their team is questionable. Marvin Bagley III has shown some potential but cannot stay healthy, and it seems like Buddy Hield wants to be traded. Regardless, this team will once again maintain its spot at the bottom of the league.
- San Antonio Spurs
For the first time in more than 20 years, the Spurs are expected to rebuild. Demar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are only getting older, and they should be traded before their deals expire. They have 4 young, intriguing guards in Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, and rookie Devin Vassell, but none look to be the next franchise cornerstone. The best bet would be to rebuild and hope for a top pick in this year’s draft.
- Oklahoma City Thunder
After a surprising playoff season, the Thunder have gone full rebuild-mode. They accumulated a massive amount of picks by trading all of their good players and are left with Shai Gilegous-Alexander. No one else on their roster looks to be someone to build around, so Gilegous-Alexander will have to embrace the “tank” and accept that his team is going to be bad.