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| Ringo H.W. Chiu/Associated Press You know the NBA offseason was wild when Anthony Davis joined the Lakers and they aren't even the headliners in their own city anymore. |
It's time to unveil my picks for the upcoming 2019-20 NBA season but first, here's one last look at how the rosters will shape out (with the names listed in order of how many wins shared I see each player getting) and a little note to summarize what's to come for each franchise.
(Rosters as of October 21st, 2019)
+ = Injured to begin season
* = Rookie
Atlanta Hawks
Head Coach: Lloyd Pierce
I really want to get excited about the prospect of Collins, Young, Hunter and Cam Reddish playing together as a sleeper eighth seed but, the additions of Evan Turner and Jabari Parker feel like negatives after the two former #2 picks have flamed out in multiple locations.
Boston Celtics
Head Coach: Brad Stevens
The locker room has begun the rehabilitation process by dropping two point guards that didn't seem like Team-first guys (or at least, Kyrie certainly didn't play like it come playoff time) and Kemba Walker should make the second round for the first time in his career.
Brooklyn Nets
Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson
It won't take much for the hype behind Brooklyn's offseason to result in a serious disappointment for this one year at least as they still had to sacrifice the identity of "flashy young upstarts" carried by D'Angelo Russell for an unavailable Kevin Durant and two streaky vets in Kyrie and DeAndre Jordan.
Charlotte Hornets
Head Coach: James Borrego
If James Borrego is going to fit in the NBA long-term, he'll need to get this team to 30 wins and that seems like too tall of a task for a team that NEEDS Miles Bridges to be a budding superstar.
Chicago Bulls
Head Coach: Jim Boylen
Is that optimism in the air for the Bulls? I think so. The young core looks even better with Denzel Valentine healthy and a new point guard in Coby White who looked positively Derrick Rose-ish in the preseason plus, they have that needed steady veteran presence in Thaddeus Young to help push this team into the 40-win territory either this year or next.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Head Coach: John Beilein
Good on Kevin Love for sticking it out with this team headed nowhere fast but, his time on the trading block is all this team will generate in terms of interest.
Detroit Pistons
Head Coach: Dwane Casey
They're one Blake Griffin injury away from being pretty, pretty bad. Derrick Rose could be the next annual Sixth Man of the Year candidate though.
Indiana Pacers
Head Coach: Nate McMillan
Oladipo will probably miss the first 10-15 games which gives the new guys (Warren, Brogdon, Lamb, McConnell and Justin Holiday) a chance to work things out together before the offense is run through their best player. Domantas Sabonis doesn't want to come off the bench anymore and between he and Turner, someone might be dealt if the team only hovers around .500.
Miami Heat
Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Jimmy Buckets will get plenty of buckets as the face of the new Miami Heat. Hassan Whiteside's defense will be missed but, the opportunity is there for Bam Adebayo to make a huge leap.
Milwaukee Bucks
Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer
A former basketball purgatory, Milwaukee is now home to one of the NBA's top teams thanks to GM Jon Horst and the shocking development of Giannis Antetokounmpo. They've added some veteran savvy and clutch shooting this offseason in Korver and Matthews but, losing Malcolm Brogdon hurts them more than it helps the Pacers.
New York Knicks
Head Coach: David Fizdale
The New York PowerForwards are a confusing team that will probably limp to 25 wins despite nice showings from Randle & Robinson and the opportunity is there for R.J. Barrett to become a huge name right away. It is New York after all.
Orlando Magic
Head Coach: Steve Clifford
Last season's eight seed is another year wiser and an Al-Farouq Aminu stronger. Is Fultz ever going to be anything? What about Mo Bamba? It might end up making the difference between a return to the postseason or none.
Philadelphia 76ers
Head Coach: Brett Brown
One hell of an offseason saw Philly drop Jimmy Butler for Al Horford, Josh Richardson and Trey Burke. Will it be enough to make the finals? How about the conference finals? If Ben Simmons can shoot, Yes is the answer.
Your Defending NBA Champion Toronto Raptors
Head Coach: Nick Nurse
Just enjoy last season's highlights.
Washington Wizards
Head Coach: Scott Brooks
Without John Wall, the Wizards should be listening to offers for Bradley Beal. Davis Bertans will surprise some people that ignored the post-Kawhi Spurs.
Dallas Mavericks
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle
They're one Kyle Lowry trade away from creating some real havoc in the West. Patience will be key in easing Kristaps Porzingis back onto the court as a Maverick for the first time. The Mavs are a year away.
Denver Nuggets
Head Coach: Mike Malone
Now is the time for Denver to strike and the one wildcard here is Michael Porter Jr. If he lives up to the hype he carried when he came to Missouri, these are the favorites in the West. They might just be that good without him too.
Golden State Warriors
Head Coach: Steve Kerr
They aren't at 100% health and had to completely rebuild the bench but, miss me with that "They might miss the playoffs" BS, Stephen Curry is still at the "could carry anyone to the playoffs" level that ensures they have no problem easing D'Angelo Russell and Willie Cauley-Stein into that winning culture.
Houston Rockets
Head Coach: Mike D'Antoni
Of all the offseason moves, Russell Westbrook to Houston makes me most nervous. I can't envision this team winning a championship with Mike D'Antoni on the hot seat and things could go south FAST as they did in OKC last year.
Los Angeles Clippers
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Yes, getting Kawhi and Paul George were amazingly shrewd maneuvers but, adding vets like Moe Harkless, JaMychal Green and Patrick Patterson to the bench should keep their leads safe when it comes time for the starters to rest. A top-four team in the West for sure.
Los Angeles Lakers
Head Coach: Frank Vogel
The Lake Show is going to be a reality show again with Dwight Howard in town but, the dude can still get boards! If not, JaVale McGee was actually a highlight from last year's disappointing results so they at least have him to fall back on.
Memphis Grizzlies
Head Coach: Taylor Jenkins
If Ja Morant has the immediate success that many think he'll have, it might not make much of a difference with this roster. Andre Iguodala quite possibly doesn't play a single minute for this team as he has demanded a trade already. Look for him to get his wins shared elsewhere.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Head Coach: Ryan Saunders
The Timberwolves took some chances on young players with flashes of brilliance in their fledgling careers. Jordan Bell, Jake Layman and Shabazz Napier don't necessarily put this team in the postseason but, they aren't going to fall under 35 wins.
New Orleans Pelicans
Head Coach: Alvin Gentry
A completely new team with Jrue Holiday as the only returning starter, there is reason for optimism here. The playoffs seem too tall of a task for a bunch of Laker rejects though.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Head Coach: Billy Donovan
Everyone wants Chris Paul and his contract to get moved but, there's a very real team here with the right coaching. SGA and Gallinari thrived under Doc Rivers and now, Billy Donovan gets one more chance to prove his worth.
Phoenix Suns
Head Coach: Monty Williams
The ownership hasn't changed so, they're screwed. Devin Booker needs to improve his defense.
Portland Trail Blazers
Head Coach: Terry Stotts
The Blazers do not have any depth that isn't super raw (Simons, Skal, Little) or super old (Pau Gasol). Jusuf Nurkic's return will do wonders for this potential playoff team but, returning to the conference finals looks really difficult.
Sacramento Kings
Head Coach: Luke Walton
I'm not sure why the King dumped Dave Joerger after their most optimistic season in a decade for an unproven Luke Walton. Teams are expecting their speedy offense now so, they may be prime candidates for a surprise regression (Key word: MIGHT).
San Antonio Spurs
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Do not sleep on the Popovich-coached team getting it's starting point guard back from injury (Murray) with a new veteran presence (Carroll) and another foreign talent (Samanic').
Utah Jazz
Head Coach: Quin Snyder
They took last season's disappointing first-round exit and added Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Ed Davis to replace Ricky Rubio (Conley's an improvement), Derrick Favors and Thabo Sefolosha (the other two even out a bit). One of the few NBA teams with a real, identifiable Big 3 remaining.
2018-19 Predictions
Western Conference
1. Denver Nuggets
2. Utah Jazz
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. San Antonio Spurs
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. Houston Rockets
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
11. Sacramento Kings
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Phoenix Suns
15. Memphis Grizzlies
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Boston Celtics
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Miami Heat
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Orlando Magic
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Washington Wizards
13. New York Knicks
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Utah Jazz
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. San Antonio Spurs
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. Houston Rockets
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
11. Sacramento Kings
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Phoenix Suns
15. Memphis Grizzlies
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Boston Celtics
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Miami Heat
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Orlando Magic
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Washington Wizards
13. New York Knicks
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
MVP: Kawhi Leonard
ROTY: Ja Morant
DPOTY: Marcus Smart
6th Man: Derrick Rose
Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich
Most Improved: Miles Bridges
Western Playoffs
1st Round
DEN 4 - HOU 1
UTA 4 - POR 0
LAC 4 - LAL 2
SAS 4 - GSW 3
2nd Round
SAS 4 - DEN 3
LAC 4 - UTA 1
Western Conference Finals
SAS 4 - LAC 3
Eastern Playoffs
1st Round
MIL 4 - ORL 1
PHI 4 - IND 0
BOS 4 - BRK 0
MIA 4 - TOR 3
2nd Round
MIL 4 - MIA 2
PHI 4 - BOS 2
Eastern Conference Finals
PHI 4 - MIL 1
Finals Prediction - 76ers over Spurs in 6.
Finals MVP - Tobias Harris.
Good luck to the team or player of your choice (It is a players driven league now). Otherwise, I hope I'm not too far off with some of these fairly baseless predictions for an unpredictable year.
1st Round
DEN 4 - HOU 1
UTA 4 - POR 0
LAC 4 - LAL 2
SAS 4 - GSW 3
2nd Round
SAS 4 - DEN 3
LAC 4 - UTA 1
Western Conference Finals
SAS 4 - LAC 3
Eastern Playoffs
1st Round
MIL 4 - ORL 1
PHI 4 - IND 0
BOS 4 - BRK 0
MIA 4 - TOR 3
2nd Round
MIL 4 - MIA 2
PHI 4 - BOS 2
Eastern Conference Finals
PHI 4 - MIL 1
Finals Prediction - 76ers over Spurs in 6.
Finals MVP - Tobias Harris.
Good luck to the team or player of your choice (It is a players driven league now). Otherwise, I hope I'm not too far off with some of these fairly baseless predictions for an unpredictable year.
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