NBA Season Predictions/Discussion

Yay!!1!! More sports threads!!1!!

Ay, JWD here. Today I'm going to talk about the upcoming NBA season and give my predictions. But first, I need to clear up something important...





THE WARRIORS BLEW A 3-1 LEAD IN THE NBA FINALS LOLLL


Now that that's out of the way, let's get into the serious stuff. First, my top 8 Eastern Conference teams.

8 - Washington Wizards: John Wall and Bradley Beal are the keys to this teams success. As long as Beal stays healthy, they should make the playoffs.

7 - Detroit Pistons: The Pistons don't look too much different than last year, but continued growth should let them see some improvements.

6 - Chicago Bulls: I love the Rondo-Wade-Butler trio. Those three might have chemistry issues at first, but once the gel together, they'll be dangerous. The big men are subpar, but the Bulls are looking good otherwise.

5 - Indiana Pacers: Paul George is an MVP candidate this year, and honestly, I'd love to see him win it, even though it's probably not happening. He's got some solid pieces around him in Miles Turner, Monta Ellis, and Jeff Teague

4 - Atlanta Hawks: Even though they lost two starters, the Hawks are still a complete team. I think Dwight Howard is in for a bounce-back year, and Dennis Schroder finally has the starting spot he deserves. With impressive depth, the Hawks can make another run this year

3 - Toronto Raptors: The Raptors have one of the leagues best duos in Demar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, along with a rising big man in Jonas Valanciunas. Add in a healthy Demarre Carrol and this team is dangerous.

2 - Boston Celtics: Lets be honest here, the Celtics are the best all-around team in the NBA. They have good scorers in Isiah Thomas and newly-added Al Horford. They have good defenders in Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley. Combine that with great depth and a great coach, I see the Celtics making a deep run this postseason.

1 - Cleveland Cavaliers: Did you really expect anyone else here? LeBron James is the best player in the NBA, no discussion. Kyrie Irving is vastly overrated, but still a great point guard. Add in Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, JR Smith and a solid bench, this Cavs team is primed for another championship run.


Now, for the Western Conference.


8 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Most people would say the TWolves have another year before they become a playoff team, but I think otherwise. Karl Anthony Towns has already established himself as a great center, and Andrew Wiggins is a rising star as well. Zach Lavine is improving, and the addition of Kris Dunn will help right away

7 - Oklahoma City Thunder: If the Thunder still had Kevin Durant, they'd be #1. Unfortunately, he's on the Warriors now. Fortunately, we'll get to see Russel Westbrook go ham this season. Add in Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, and Steven Adams, this team is still a playoff team.

6 - Utah Jazz: The time is finally here for the Jazz. Gordon Hayward has emerged into a top player, and has a very solid supporting cast that includes Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, and Trey Burke. Even though Hayward is out for a while, they should make a run.

5 - Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard is phenomenal, to say the least. Along with CJ McCollum and newly added Evan Turner, this team could be quite dangerous. They could use some more depth, but it shouldn't be too big of an issue.

4 - Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs quietly became a really good team this season with the additions of Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Both players will be big upgrades. Along with NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, and a capable backcourt, they should exceed most expectations.

3 - San Antonio Spurs: I know what you're thinking. 'Spurs at #3 in the West? Is this guy insane?' Possibly, I am. But hear me out. Tim Duncan is gone. That's a blow. Tony Parker and Manu Ginnobli are slowing down. That's two more blows. Paul Gasol is a big addition, but I honestly think that there are two more talented teams in this conference.

2 - Los Angeles Clippers: 'LOL! He put the Clippers above the Spurs! What a moron?' - Everyone. This might be crazy, but CP3, a healthy Blake Griffin, Deandre Jordan, and JJ Reddick is probably the second best set of four players in the NBA, behind the Warriors. This team has yet to achieve its potential, and I think they can do so much better than they have in recent years. Believe me, this team is great. But there is one team who is greater, and I'm sure you know who it is.

1 - Golden State Warriors:

*sigh*

Do I really even need to talk about these guys? They were already the best team in the NBA, and now they add another top 3 player? Can you say ridiculous? Seriously, this team is going to be scary. Records will be shattered. Demolished. Annihilated. Good luck beating them, you'll need it.


Alright, now, for the playoff predictions.


Eastern Conference:

#8 Washington Wizards vs. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers: This matchup is no question, easy series for the Cavs

Cavaliers win series, 4-1

#7 Detroit Pistons vs. #2 Boston Celtics: These are two good all-around teams, but the Celtics are simply more talented.

Celtics win series, 4-1

#6 Chicago Bulls vs. #3 Toronto Raptors: This will be a good series, but the Bulls weak frontcourt will be exploited.

Raptors win series, 4-2

#5 Indiana Pacers vs. #4 Atlanta Hawks: This would be a very good matchup, these teams are pretty even. The Hawks are better all-around, but I think Paul George would lead his team to a tough win here

Pacers win series, 4-3

Semifinals:

#5 Indiana Pacers vs. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers: I think the Pacers would be underlooked coming into this series, and would put up a better fight than most would expect. However, the Cavs are just too good to lose here.

Cavaliers win series, 4-2

#3 Toronto Raptors vs. #2 Boston Celtics: Woo boy, would this be fun to watch. This would be a seesaw series, with neither team able to grasp an advantage. In the end, I see Lowry and DeRozan leading the Raptors to a very tough win.

Raptors win series, 4-3.

Conference Finals:

#3 Toronto Raptors vs. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers: I don't see this being much different from last years series. Cavaliers win, and James Jones makes his way to his 7th straight NBA Finals. Oh, and also some dude named LeBron.


Now, Western Conference.


#8 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. #1 Golden State Warriors: ....

...

LOL

Warriors win series, 4-0

#7 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #2 Los Angeles Clippers: I actually see the Thunder putting up a really good fight here, but ending up short.

Clippers win series: 4-3

#6 Utah Jazz vs. #3 San Antonio Spurs: ....

...

LOL

Spurs win series, 4-0

#5 Portland Trail Blazers vs. #4 Dallas Mavericks: This is honestly a really tough one. Both teams are great, but I see Damian Lillard going off and leading the way to a win.

Trail Blazers win series, 4-3


Western Conference Semifinals:


#5 Portland Trail Blazers vs. #1 Golden State Warriors: I'm gonna be sick of the Warriors by this point, but they're just too talented to lose here

Warriors win series, 4-1

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Los Angeles Clippers:: These are perhaps the two most evenly matched teams in the league. The each have a great trio, and depth that can get the job done. This would be a fun series to watch, but in the end, I think the Clippers pull it off. Yes, you read that right.

Clippers win series, 4-3.


Western Conference Finals:


#2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #1 Golden State Warriors: I'd love to see anyone else but the Cavs/Warriors in the finals. But sadly, I don't think anything is changing. The Warriors are just simply too overpowered. The Clippers will put up a fight, but it won't be enough.

Warriors win series, 4-2


NBA FINALS:



#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors: Alright, before I talk about this, I'd like to say something about last years finals. Throughout the season, and through three playoff series, everybody loved the Warriors, especially Steph Curry. Then, Curry throws a tantrum in he Finals and the Warriors lose, and suddenly everyone hates Curry and is a huge Kyrie fan? Just goes to show how many bandwagon fans there are in the NBA. Here's my opinion on the Curry/Kyrie debate. Neither of them are the best. Westbrook is the best, period. Behind him, Curry. Curry is a better scorer, passer, defender, and rebounder than Kyrie, but everyone says Curry can only shoot. Not true. I'm not a Curry fan, but Kyrie is way too overhyped. I think CP3 and Damian Lillard are better options than him at Point Guard as well. Call me a hater, but that's just my honest opinion. Now, for the finals. I see the Warriors trying to hard to win out of the gate, and digging themselves a hole 2-1 hole. Then, the storm back and win the next 3 games en route to their 2nd NBA Champoonship in three years. The difference? Kevin Durant. I hate how joined the Warriors, but they're simply too good for any team to win a series against now.

Warriors win Championship, 4-2.



Thanks for reading! I did this on my phone so there are probably numerous spelling/grammar mistakes, but feel free to post your opinion/predictions down below :p Have a good day everyone c:

 

LOL the meme is so overused, but it never gets old!

Too early for playoff predictions for me. As a bulls fan, I think it's a fricken circus with the chemistry issues. One ball, 3 players who need the ball in their hands.

 

The next two NBA seasons (and possibly more if he resigns/extends his contract) are gonna be predictable. Stephen A Smith explains it perfectly.
But yeah, I gotta go with the warriors this year. If LeBron somehow gets the cavs a championship though, he is without a doubt the greatest player in NBA history, no questions asked.

 

Yea, I honestly hated the meme at first, but I've grown to love it. As for the Bulls, there will be chemistry issues at first, but I think Rondos passing skills will work out well with Wade and Butler.

Yea, it is pretty predictable. I'm hoping something else happens tbh

 

the Warriors broke the nba : (.

unfair!1!!1

Me being a Celtics fan, of course I hope for a postseason run but let's be honest here, they're not bringing it home this year. If the Warriors manage to lose, they will literally be the worst choke that basketball ever sees.


Also can we take a minute to appreciate how good my fantasy team is


And how bad Justin's is :>

 

You got them extra points when draymond kicks people in the bonus points spot

 

If he does it 3 times in the season I automatically win the league

 

My team would be better if
1: I didn't accidentally take Deandre Jordan
2: iF yOU DiDnT TaKe AnDrew WiGGiNs

but we can all agree I have the best name