As great as the NBA is right now with so much talent and exciting players, it’s a bit hard to actually get excited for the season.
Why? Because we know how this is going to end. We’ve read this book. In June, when the Warriors and Cavs are going to tip off for their fourth straight NBA Finals, it will be the culmination of another season of dominance by just a few teams.
Despite the efforts of teams like the Celtics, Rockets and Thunder, the rest of the NBA are simply playing out the stretch with some hope that LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry all fall apart or get hurt for extended periods of time.
Considering that Gordon Hayward’s season may have ended just five minutes into his Celtics debut, that only further solidifies the notion that we’re destined for more of the same at the end of this season. And we’re not reading too much into Golden State’s loss to Houston.
The NBA is by far the most top-heavy league in North America, but continues to grow, worldwide. Just imagine if every team truly had a chance to contend.
Let’s break down what we think will happen this season.
PREDICTED STANDINGS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland
Boston
Toronto
Washington
Milwaukee
Miami
Charlotte
Philadelphia
– – –
Detroit
Brooklyn
Indiana
New York
Atlanta
Orlando
Chicago
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden State
Oklahoma City
San Antonio
Houston
Utah
Minnesota
L.A. Clippers
Denver
– – –
Portland
New Orleans
L.A. Lakers
Memphis
Sacramento
Dallas
Phoenix
AWARDS
MVP: Kevin Durant, GS
TOP ROOKIE: Lonzo Ball, LAL
DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Kawhi Leonard, SA
TOP SCORER: James Harden, HOU
EAST FINAL: Cleveland over Boston in six
WEST FINAL: Golden State over Oklahoma City in six
NBA FINAL: Golden State over Cleveland in five