FINALS PREDICTION: Los Angeles Lakers over Brooklyn Nets
MVP: Giannis Antetokounpo
I was 16-14 and 3-3 for my locks for the 2019-20 season (adjusted win totals)
I was 15-14-1 and 0-2 for my locks for the 2018/19 season
I was 12-18 and 2-3 for my locks for the 2017-18 season
I was 18-12 and 4-3 for my locks for the 2016-17 season.
I was 16-13-1 and 4-1 in my locks for the 2015-16 season.
I was 18-12 and 4-3 for my locks for the 2016-17 season.
I was 16-13-1 and 4-1 in my locks for the 2015-16 season.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Milwaukee Bucks - O/U - 50.5 - OVER - 51-21 - - The Bucks did flame out in the playoffs but are poised to make a good regular season run as not many teams have Bam that can slow down Giannis at the rim
Kyrie Irving burning sage before a preseason game
2. Brooklyn Nets - O/U - 44.5 - OVER - LOCK - 47-25 - Durant looks like he's close to 100% or at least effective enough to provide a boost to what was already a playoff team. Kyrie Irving could be a scutttlebutt although they still have Spencer Dinwiddie to be an effective guard. Plus the Nets are sleeper team to make a James Harden trade which may not translate in the postseason but would cement them as a great regular season team.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - O/U -42.5 - OVER - 43-29 - The 76ers have done enough to allow for shooters like Seth Curry and Danny Green to come in. Joel Embiid and Simmons do play well together in the regular season despite their playoff struggles.
4. Miami Heat - O/U - 43.5 - OVER - 44-28 - Miami looks like a team that is really well suited for this condensed format with a deep roster. Dragic could take a step back coming off his injury but the Heat could make that up with a step forward. That being said they did lose Jae Crowder. For the same reason they could take a bit of hit in terms of fatigue. Still, Bam Adebayo, Herro, and Duncan Robinson are good enough to cary the Heat in the regular season once again.
5. Boston Celtics - O/U - 44.5 - UNDER - 42-30 - The Celtics have great young guys in Tatum and Brown but could take a step back in the short term with the departure of Hayward plus Kemba Walker is going to be out to star the season. Tristan Thompson could be a good add for the postseason if they go against the Heat.
6. Toronto Raptors - 42.5 - UNDER - 40-32 - The Raptors bigs definetely took a hit for the regular season. And of course Kyle Lowry could dake a step back. That being said, the Raptors keep finding gems in the draft and develop them into decent prospects. Siakim lack of a jumper could force him to play more center
Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards
for John Wall and a lottery protected first round pick in 2023
7) Washington Wizards - O/U 33.5 - OVER(LOCK) - 38-34 - The Wizards have gotten better from last season by upgrading from Isiah Thomas the worst defender in the league to Russell Westbrook. Much has been made about how the Wizards are one of the worst defensive teams of all time but they ranked 11th defensive after trading IT and before the-bubble. The Wizards can take a big leap if Bradley Beal gets off to quick start similar to his 36 points per game post all star snub although it could be difficult for him to reach that level off the bat given his history of starting the season slow. It looks like the Wizards hit it with their 1st rounder in Avidja who looks like the best rookie they have drafted since Bradley Beal..
8) Indiana Pacers - O/U - 37.5 - UNDER - 36-36 - This team has a lot of talent with Sabonis returning. That being said for a Nate Bjorkgen could get off to a slower start with the departure of Nate McMillan. This is certainly a very deep team though that could be a playoff team.
9) Atlanta - O/U - 35.5 - UNDER - 33-39 - Trae Young does have a much better supporting cast but it still looks like the defense isn't great and it could take awhile for things to gel even despite the massive team influx including Galinari, Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanavic, and Capella. That being said, Trae Young is talented enough to take a big step but there are still questions on his defensive ability.
10) Orlando - O/U - 30.5 - OVER - 31-41 - The Magic still could put together a decent number of wins because they were a decent defensive team that did manage to take the Bucks to 6 games. Plus they get Jonathan Isaac.
11) Detroit - O/U - 23.5 - OVER - 28-44 - The pieces do not seem to make sense to some but Troy Weaver as the GM could see value where others do not. Blake Griffin can still fill it up and Dwayne Casey does get his team to play hard in the regular season.
12) Chicago - O/U - 28.5 - UNDER- 25-47 - The Bulls did hire Billy Donovan as an upgradeand could get a lot of Lavine and Markkanan. That being said, it looks like Wendell Carter and Otto Porter are question marks and Patrick Williams looks too much like a project at least as a rookie.
13) New York Knicks - O/U - 21.5- OVER - 22-50 - The Knicks do have talent with RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Mitchell Robinson. Still, their are big questions about the Knicks backcourt with Dennis Smith Jr. and Elfrid Payton as starters in their backcourt although Quickly out of Kentucky could give them boost.
Lamelo has a lot of potential although I struggle to see him
making an immediate positive impact on winning
14) Charlotte Hornets O/U - 26.5 - UNDER (LOCK) - 21-51 - Lamelo Ball is still a big project despite his great vision. He still has question marks from the field. Gordon Hayward could be an upgrade and could make noise but there are still questions about how long he can stay healthy.
15) Cleveland Cavaliers O/U 22.5 - UNDER - 20-52 - - Okoro looks like a promise pick. Sexton, Garland, and Porter Jr. all have high potential. Still, the Cavaliers are a rebuilding team that may likely trade winning pieces like Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr, or Andre Drummond.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
LeBron James was told in high school
1) LA Lakers - O/U - 48.5 - UNDER - 48-24 - The Lakers look poised to win the west again. LeBron may be motivated to put it all in the regular season to win another MVP. The Lakers also get two 6th men of the year candidates. That being said, it could be hard for the Lakers to be extra motivated in a shorter regular season and could choose to rest its starters for the postseason.
2) LA Clippers - O/U - 48.5 - UNDER - 48-24 - The Clippers are coming in with a chip on their shoulder after blowing a 3-1 series lead. Still, the Clippers should be better than they were last season in the regular season if they have a healthy Paul George. One can still expect Kawhi Leonard to take days offs meaning that their ceiling for wins is not high. Ibaka could be a better fit than Harrell at least in the postseason.
3) Denver Nuggets - O/U - 44.5 - 48-24 - The Nuggets may have lost a few key pieces including Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee but can expect to get a boost from the return of Will Barton, the improvement of Michael Porter Jr, and possible addition of 2019 2nd rounder Bol Bol. Jamaal Murray was great in the bubble. JayMychal Green could be a relative fill in nicely for Grant. .
4) Utah Jazz - O/U - 41.5 - OVER (LOCK) 47-25 - Donovan Mitchell also looked great in the playoffs. Mike Conley also appeared to find his footing in the bubble after a slow start. Plus they also return Bojan Bogdanovic which can add to their supporting scoring. Rudy Gobert will help anchor the defense effectively in the regular season. Derrick Favors could be an adequate back p center to help preserve Gobert for the playoffs.
5) Portland Trailblazers O/U - 39.5- OVER - 41-31 - Portland brings back a really nice team with a lot of depth. The bright side is that Dame Lilllard looks like a top 10 player and they hae a lot of depth. WHile Covington does improve their defense a bit, their upside may not be as high because of their smaller backcourt. Still, they are explosive offensively and a team to be reckoned with in the regular season.
6) Dallas Mavericks O/U - 42.5 - UNDER - 39-33 - The Mavericks upside may not be as high for the regular season is not high with Porzingis. While Luka is a great player and could win against any team any night, things could get messy if Doncic misses any time although perhaps they have guard depth with Brunson and Trey Burke. That being said, their defense may be patched up by Rick Carlilse.
7) Phoenix Suns O/U - 37.5 OVER - 38-36 - The Suns have a lot of star power including Booker Ayton and Chris Paul. They even have skilled spacers including Mikael Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cam Johnson. People are hating on the Jalen Smith pick although the Cam Johnson picked worked out for them
8) Golden State O/U - 38.5 - UNDER - 37-35- Steph Curry can carry this team to a playoff appearance. However, the supporting cast is a bit questionable especially with high potential wings like Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre. James Wiseman could provide a lift to the front court if Draymond Green indeed declines. Of course, there could be injury risks for Steph Curry who has been a bit injury prone.
9) Houston O/U - O/U- 35.5 - OVER - 36-36 - James Harden could easily sabotage his way of the Rockets. That being said, a drop off for Harden could still make them a .400 team unless harden throws in the towel. There's also a possibility that the Rockets trade
10) New Orleans - O/U - 36 - UNDER - 35-37 - Zion Williamson apparently is not under a minutes restriction plus they have a solid roster around them at least for the regular season including Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsoe, and JJ Reddick.
11) Memphis Grizzlies - O/U - 31.5 - 34-38 - Memphis really exceeded expectations last season with Ja Morant. Still, it appeared that the Grizzlies were a worse team than the Grizzlies down the stretch than the Pelicans.
12) Minnesota Timberwolves - O/U - OVER - 30-42 - The Wolves add another number 1 pick in Anthony Edwards. Plus Karl Anthony Towns can carry the Wolves to some wins. That being said, it remains to be seen if Russell can be the same player he was in the final season with the Nets.
13) San Antonio - O/U - 29.5- UNDER - 29-43- The Spurs could do enough to be competitive against bad teams but they could break up their team of Lamarcus Aldridge and Demar DeRozan. They have not embraced 3 point shooting and their not as high defensively.
14) Sacramento - O/U - 27.5 - UNDER - 27-45 - Fox can be a really good point guard to carry the Kings out of depth of the league but someone has to lose. Plus they lost Bogdan Bogdanovic. Haliburton could make the Kings more interesting. That being said, Bagley has been a bust so far and Luke Walton could be on the hot seat.
15) Oklahoma City - O/U - 20.5 - 25-47 - The Thunder have more distressed assets including Al Horford who gets to play his natural position. In strike shortened season, perhaps the Thunder could get some improvement from SGA and Dozier which could lead them to exceed expectations.
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