The NBA is back! Well, not quite. We have to wait till the 22nd to get the first glimpse of NBA action, but it’s back in principle. The last time the NBA fans saw an NBA game was way back in June when the Toronto Raptors were crowned champions after defeating Golden State Warriors 4-2 in the Finals.
Some might want to argue that the victory was rather fortuitous due to the circumstances surrounding Golden State at that time (Kevin Durant’s absence and Klay Thompson’s injury in games 2 and 6), but who are we to argue? If we really want to put that victory into context, we might as well put virtually every Golden State victory in the past 5 years into context. But we won’t want to do that, right? Good.
Alright, moving on. After being starved of the NBA for what feels like an eternity, it is only right that we are served a mouthwatering game to launch the new season. Two of the favourites to come out of the west, the Lakers and the Clippers, will lock horns at the Staples Center in a game either side needs to win to have that psychological edge over the other.
Last season, the Clippers were 48-32 in the regular season and reached the Western Conference semifinal where they lost to Golden State Warriors. And they didn’t even have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. After adding the Finals MVP and the regular season MVP nominee, the Clippers are the favourites for most people to win the Larry O’Brien trophy come June 2020.
But their dominant next-door neighbours will surely, and rightly so, have something to say about that. Last season, after acquiring the services of arguably the best player in the league, LeBron James, the Lakers failed to make the playoffs after going a disappointing 37-45. The Lakers might have a valid excuse for that though. LeBron James sustained a groin injury on Christmas day of 2018 when the Lakers were 24-10, an injury which eventually limited him to only 57 games last season.
There’ll surely be no room for excuses this time around though as the Lakers have acquired the services of another top five player, Anthony Davis. ‘The Brow’ averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists in 33 minutes per game last season, a season that was marred by trade sagas, resulting in Davis playing his fewest minutes and games since his rooky year.
So, in LeBron James’ words, Staples Center (home of the Lakers and the Clippers) was the biggest winner in the off-season trade as they managed to land 3 of the top 10 players in the league. That is why the winner surely has to come from there, right? Well, not so. There are some teams (especially in the East) that might want to have a word or two. The Milwaukee Bucks is home to the reigning regular season MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they too will surely have a say. With help from fellow all-star, Khris Middleton, the Bucks can stake a claim to the trophy.
Not forgetting the Sixers who were narrowly beaten by eventual winners, Raptors, in the Eastern Conference semis last year. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have formed quite a partnership, plus Simmons just got a fresh new max contract so he should be fully motivated. And the Brooklyn Nets looked good in preseason (insert laughing emoji here). They beat the Lakers twice without Kyrie and KD. Although KD won’t be back until the post season at least, they still have Kyrie, who is a top 5 point guard in the league, to steer the ship to April.
There are others with an outside chance of winning it all, but I’m afraid a place in the post season is the best they can achieve, in my opinion. Golden State are no more the powerhouse they used to be, having lost Kevin Durant to the Nets and Klay Thompson to Injury until the post season. They acquired fortuitous All-star D’Angelo Russell to fill in while Klay is out, but let’s be realistic here, Stephen plus Russell is nothing like the Splash Brothers.
The Utah Jazz, who are a perennial playoff candidate, kept their squad together, and acquired the services of Mike Conley, who is a top 10 point guard in the league. Although they have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, I just think they’re lacking that singular superstar to propel them to the finish line. Some teams even boast of two.
The Boston Celtics will be the Boston Celtics. Reigning champions Toronto Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard so they’re a no for me. As for the Portland Trailblazers, they always almost seamlessly make it to the playoffs, but when it comes right down to the wire they’re always found wanting. I like Lillard and C.J, but I don’t think those two can bring a championship to Portland. A Chris Paul led OKC can only go so far. As for Blake Griffin and the Pistons, unless they get their sh*t together, the playoff first round is their final destination.
Then there is the Houston Rockets. Led by the scoring machine James Harden (whom I felt should have been named MVP last season). These guys are in a category of their own. Very unpredictable lot, made even more so by the addition of former MVP Russell Westbrick, sorry, Westbrook. Some people even joke that they might need to play with two balls to accommodate both him and James Harden. Apart from the two L.A teams, this is the team that the whole NBA will be watching to see how they explode, or implode, as the case may be. They’ll have no problem making it to the playoffs, but let’s hope that the ghosts of playoffs past don’t haunt them. We wish them well.
So, let me leave you with my predictions for the coming season;
Eastern Conference
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Boston Celtics
- Toronto Raptors
- Indiana Pacers
- Detroit Pistons
- Miami Heat
- Orlando Magic
- New York Knicks
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
- Chicago Bulls
- Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference
- Houston Rockets
- L.A Lakers
- L.A Clippers
- Golden State Warriors
- Utah Jazz
- Portland Trailblazers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Denver Nuggets
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Sacramento Kings
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Memphis Grizzlies
Regular season MVP – James Harden
Finals MVP – LeBron James
Defensive Player of the Year – Anthony Davis
Sixth Man of the Year – Kyle Kuzma
Rookie of the Year – Zion Williamson
Most Improved Player – Fred VanVleet
NBA Champions – L.A Lakers.
Candid Basketball 