2020-2021 NBA Predictions

[Split T]

Here we go, what’s everyone’s guesses for how the season plays out?

West

1. Lakers
2. Clippers
3. Mavericks
4. Nuggets
5. Suns
6. Jazz
7. Blazers
8. Warriors
9. Pelicans
10. Rockets
11. Grizzlies
12. Kings
13. Wolves
14. Spurs
15. Thunder

East

1. Bucks
2. Nets
3. 76ers
4. Heat
5. Raptors
6. Celtics
7. Wizards
8. Pacers
9. Hawks
10. Hornets
11. Magic
12. Bulls
13. Pistons
14. Cavs
15. Knicks

Semi-Finals:

Lakers over Mavs
Nets over Bucks

Finals:

Lakers over Nets

MVP: Kevin Durant
DPOY: AD
ROY: James Wiseman
6thMOY: Caris LaVert(If they flip and start him, Jordan Clarkson)
COY: Carlisle
MIP: MPJ

[specialsauce]

1. Lakers
2. Nuggets
3. Clippers
4. Jazz
5. Suns
6. Blazers
7. Mavs
8. Pelicans
9. Warriors
10. Rockets
11. Grizzlies
12. Wolves
13. Kings
14. Thunder
15. Spurs

East

1. Bucks
2. Celtics
3. Nets
4. Raptors
5. Heat
6. Sixers
7. Pacers
8. Hawks
9. Wizards
10. Hornets
11. Magic
12. Pistons
13. Bulls
14. Cavs
15. Knicks

Finals
Lakers - Nets

MVP
Giannis

[INFORMER]

West

1. Denver
2. LAL
3. Portland
4. Utah
5. Golden State
6. Memphis
7. Dallas
8. Phoenix
9. LAC
10. New Orleans
11. San Antonio
12. Houston
13. Minnesota
14. Sacramento
15. OKC


East

1. Milwaukee
2. Boston
3. Miami
4. Brooklyn
5. Philadelphia
6. Washington
7. Toronto
8. Charlotte
9. Indiana
10. Orlando
11. Atlanta
12. Cleveland
13. Chicago
14. New York
15. Detroit

[Split T]

Woah, Clippers at 9 and Grizz at 6?

[Vladimir_Taltos]

I'll only give a prediction for the Suns...based on what we've seen to date...unfortunately...

[Superbone]

I'll only give a prediction for the Suns...based on what we've seen to date...unfortunately...

That is a tactical error on your part.

[Cap]

I'll only give a prediction for the Suns...based on what we've seen to date...unfortunately...

That is a tactical error on your part.

Yup. Even if you’re right, you’re wrong.

[Democritus]

Boston wins East
Suns eliminated by the Lakers in the semi's
Lakers champs again I hate these MF...

[Vladimir_Taltos]

I'll only give a prediction for the Suns...based on what we've seen to date...unfortunately...

That is a tactical error on your part.

Nobody will be happier to be wrong than me......and this was a bit tounge in cheek, if you're not catching it. I just bought the season and had the ...fun... of actually watching these games...sorry to say, PAIN is an apt adjective to describe us...so far.

[Nodack]

Pain is something we are all used to. I predict some sloppiness from the Suns to start the season before they start to gel until the bench sorts itself out.

[Mori Chu]

Here we go, what’s everyone’s guesses for how the season plays out?

Here are mine:

West

1. Nuggets
2. Lakers
3. Blazers
4. Clippers
5. Jazz
6. Mavericks
7. Suns
8. Grizzlies
9. Warriors
10. Pelicans
11. Spurs
12. Kings
13. Thunder
14. Rockets
15. Wolves



East

1. Bucks
2. 76ers
3. Raptors
4. Heat
5. Celtics
6. Nets
7. Wizards
8. Pacers

9. Magic
10. Hawks
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Knicks
14. Pistons
15. Cavs

Finals: Lakers over 76ers

MVP: Anthony Davis
DPOY: Giannis
ROY: LaMelo Ball
6th MOY: dunno
COY: Doc Rivers
MIP: DeAndre Ayton (probably not but who cares)


Commentary: I like the Nuggets a lot and think they will grow naturally from guys like MPJ and Jamal Murray growing and improving. I think the Clips will underwhelm due to chemistry issues and coaching. Love the Blazers and think they're hungry. I like this Suns team but think they'll take a few games to get going. Hopefully we'll be humming by playoff time. In the East, I think the Celtics will start slow due to injuries to Kemba Walker. I think the Nets are overrated and will struggle a bit with chemistry between Durant/Irving and with a rookie head coach. I like the 76ers; they got a proven coach and keep inching toward having the right roster balance. May trade for Harden, too.

[pickle]

East:
Milwaukee
Philly
Boston
Miami
Toronto
Indiana
Atlanta
Washington
(Chicago)
(Orlando)
---
Indiana
Charlotte
New York
Cleveland
Detroit


West:
Denver
LAL
LAC
Portland
Dallas
Utah
Phoenix
Houston
(Golden State)
(New Orleans)
---
San Antonio
Memphis
Oklahoma
Minnesota
Sacramento

MVP Luka
MIP Jamal Murray (Jaylen Brown, Tyler Herro)
DPoY AD
RoY Lamelo (Hayes, Haliburton)
CoY Doc (Donovan, Malone)

[Split T]

Lot of people really high on Denver. I think they should have a very good regular season, I’m a little skeptical of them though. They benefitted from an unsustainable Murray performance in the bubble. Does he come back to earth? They are deep, so losing Grant isn’t a huge issue, but defense might be a problem. Of course MPJ could take a leap. I still think they are getting too much credit for a total collapse by the Clippers.

[Indy]

West:
Lakers
Suns (this is completely based on my extremely optimistic--borderline insane--prediction of our best record ever)
Denver
---
Jazz (stayed pat for the most part, and I think that will hurt them)
Blazers
Clippers (got worse, could lose both PG & KL this summer, Lou Will is in a contract year at 34--injury waiting to happen--things could get crazy )
Mavs
---
Warriors
Wolves
Rockets (too much turmoil)
Pels
Grizz
---
Spurs
Kings
Thunder (I think I pick them to drop ever year and they don't--maybe this year)



East:
Nets
Bucks
Celtics
---
Philly
Heat
Pacers
Wiz
---
Hornets
Magic
Hawks
Bulls
---
Knicks
Cavs
Pistons



Conference Finals:
Nets over Celtics
Lakers over Nuggets

Finals:
Lakers over Nets

MVP: Durant (I think he is going to live up to his online handle this year)

COY: Monty (homerism maybe )

DPOY: AD

ROY: Ball (Gives the league a way to celebrate a good pick by MJ)

6th Man: Harrell (repeats on a new team, but same city)

MIP: Wood

[Indy]

Lot of people really high on Denver. I think they should have a very good regular season, I’m a little skeptical of them though. They benefitted from an unsustainable Murray performance in the bubble. Does he come back to earth? They are deep, so losing Grant isn’t a huge issue, but defense might be a problem. Of course MPJ could take a leap. I still think they are getting too much credit for a total collapse by the Clippers.

You don't see the Clippers collapsing again? They are not built for championships.

[Split T]

I don’t think they can beat the Lakers, but I don’t see why the Clippers can’t beat anyone else. They fell apart in the bubble, but I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that happens again. They are obviously good enough to have a 20 point lead in the 2nd half with a 3-1 series lead. If you’re good enough to get to that point, you’re good enough to close that out. Need to resolve their chemistry issues, and Kennard/Ibaka replacing Shamet/Harrell is an upgrade. I still worry about their lack of a primary ball handler that can keep everyone involved, Kawhi and PG will just need to step up there.

[pickle]

Indy, PG already signed an extension with the Clips, FWIW...

[Indy]

Indy, PG already signed an extension with the Clips, FWIW...

Yeah, I totally blocked that out. Thanks pickle.

[Indy]

I don’t think they can beat the Lakers, but I don’t see why the Clippers can’t beat anyone else. They fell apart in the bubble, but I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that happens again. They are obviously good enough to have a 20 point lead in the 2nd half with a 3-1 series lead. If you’re good enough to get to that point, you’re good enough to close that out. Need to resolve their chemistry issues, and Kennard/Ibaka replacing Shamet/Harrell is an upgrade. I still worry about their lack of a primary ball handler that can keep everyone involved, Kawhi and PG will just need to step up there.

I don't think it is cut and dry that Kennard/Ibaka > Shamet/Harrell. And it might be that Denver was playing shitty enough to be down 3-1 in the series as opposed to the Clippers being great. I just don't trust PG. Maybe that is my bias. Their top guys are KL, PG, Marcus Morris, Ibaka, Pat Bev and Lou Williams. Only Kawhi is under 30.

[Split T]

I don’t think they can beat the Lakers, but I don’t see why the Clippers can’t beat anyone else. They fell apart in the bubble, but I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that happens again. They are obviously good enough to have a 20 point lead in the 2nd half with a 3-1 series lead. If you’re good enough to get to that point, you’re good enough to close that out. Need to resolve their chemistry issues, and Kennard/Ibaka replacing Shamet/Harrell is an upgrade. I still worry about their lack of a primary ball handler that can keep everyone involved, Kawhi and PG will just need to step up there.

I don't think it is cut and dry that Kennard/Ibaka > Shamet/Harrell. And it might be that Denver was playing shitty enough to be down 3-1 in the series as opposed to the Clippers being great. I just don't trust PG. Maybe that is my bias. Their top guys are KL, PG, Marcus Morris, Ibaka, Pat Bev and Lou Williams. Only Kawhi is under 30.

Kennard gives them someone that can actually run a little offense as opposed to shamet who is just a catch and shoot guy. Ibaka may not be the regular season player Harrell is, but he’s going to be more playable in the playoffs. Harrell wasn’t good in the bubble.

And I guess I’m still a PG believer. Think he’s become underrated because he hit the backboard on that one shot.