2022-2023 NBA Predictions

[Rich]

The season is almost upon us and with that, it's time for another round of predictions. I'll start off with seeding for each conference playoffs.

EAST

1. Boston- Boston is the odds on favorite to come out of the East again and with the addition of Brogdon they should be the odds on favorite to hoist the Finals Trophy

2. Milwaukee

3. Miami- I hesitate to keep Miami this high, just because of how old Lowry looked last year. But Butler is better than he's given credit for and Spoelstra can coach em up as well as anyone. But I COULD see a dropoff here.

4. Atlanta- I'm super high on Atlanta and think they could be a dark horse Finals team. On paper, their starting 5 is loaded to the teeth and in my mind, Murray is a near perfect backcourt partner for Young. I don't expect the early season struggles they've had the last two years.

5. BKN- I don't know where to rank them. On paper they're probably the most talented team in basketball at the top end. But Irving is likely to be half-assing it all year, Durant doesn't like his coach, and you have absolutely no clue about Ben Simmons at all at this point. So, I'm sticking them here with the caveat they could win the title of be in the play-in again. Absolutely biggest question mark in basketball.

6. Cleveland- I worry about floor spacing, but if healthy, we've got a pretty versatile roster that can do a lot of things well. Coaching big question mark for me.

7 Philly- This is where I think a lot of people will think I'm crazy. But we've been calling Philly a Contender for like 5 years, and they've yet, in any year, to make it past the 2nd round. I'm done believing till they show me.

8. Toronto- I could see them moving higher. Siakim was very, very good last year. Better than a lot of the players ESPN ranked ahead of him a few weeks ago. Super young. Loved the Otto Porter addition

9. Charlotte

10. Chicago- They fell off a cliff last year and I don't see any type of reason why they'll be turning it around this one. Ball just had surgery and his injury was a big reason they dropped off. Combine that with the fact that DeRozan basically had a career year that I don't think he'll be repeating and I wouldn't be surprised if this is a 41 win team this year.

No new comers to the top of the East, though I think New York will challenge and could make it in.


WEST

1. Los Angeles Clippers- I'm gonna bank on their health here. And, if healthy, they are absolutely stacked. If they do anything other than win the West, it's a disappointment.

2. Denver- Again, banking on health here. If Murray and MPJ are playing, this should be a team that has their sights, at minimum, on the WCF this year.

3. Phoenix- A step back year, as Paul gets older, Ayton plays maybe a little selfish, and the Sarver thing hangs over the team

4. Golden State- I think they got somewhat lucky last year to have so many injuries keeping their best competition down, but everyone needs some luck to win.

5. Memphis- Could easily be higher. Hard to look at the names on the jerseys and put them ahead of the above teams, but there is something there besides talent level. They know how to play, they are well coached, and the roster just fits. Wouldn't be shocked if they're a top 3 seed again.

6. Minnesota- I don't know how I feel about the addition of Gobert. Losing Vanderbilt is a bigger deal than made out to be and until I actually see Gobert play with Towns, I'm not gonna buy into the hype

7. Dallas- Big step back year, and it shouldn't have been. But losing Brunson while adding Woods is a pretty big net negative imo.

8. LAL- I'm gonna say the Lakers make the play-in this year just because LeBron is LeBron and he won't be THAT bad two years in a row. Beverley will help.

9. New Orleans- I could be rating them way too low, but I just don't like the roster?? I know they had a spark when CJ joined, but I don't like how that team fits together overall.

10. Sacramento- this is almost by default. Utah and the Spurs, by all rights, should be out of the equation this year with the moves they made in the off-season. OKC and Houston won't be ready to challenge for a spot yet imo. That leaves Sacramento and Portland. I'll take Sacramento, though they'll still be a below .500 team.

Finals: Denver vs. Boston, with Boston victorious.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Boston odds on to win it all? Over 50% chance? I'll take that bet.

I agree Philly is a perennial disappointment in the playoffs but 7th seed is crazy.

100% re: Nets.

If Milwaukee is healthy for the playoffs I think they're the best.

Clippers on the other hand are probably the #1 health risk in the game. Fans of that team have to be terrified of injuries. If they're healthy they will be tough to beat in the playoffs for everyone.

We might be able to do some damage in the playoffs but we need another year or two.

 

[foucault87]

I think we will get our first 5x5 since Draymond. Feels like it has been long enough...tho I'm not sure who gets it. Current expectation is Cedi

 

[jjvors]

The season is almost upon us and with that, it's time for another round of predictions. I'll start off with seeding for each conference playoffs.

Okay, here's my take.

EAST

1. Milwaukee - They almost beat Boston last year with their 2nd best play out. He is healthy and they are the team to beat. There is no answer for Giannis by anyone. With outside shooting (Middleton & co.) I don't see anyone beating them.

2. Boston- Boston improved with the addition of Brogdon, but their front court is weak and can't stop Giannis or Brook Lopez. They always get outrebounded. I think they'll have a lot of trouble with the Cavs.

3. Cleveland- I'm super high on the Cavs this year and have them at 53 wins. This is about where I expect them to land with 53. Basically, no one will be able to stop us offensively, and people will have trouble scoring inside on us, like last year. Our Achilles heel is perimeter defense, and I think that'll improve.

4. Atlanta- Is really tough and it'll be a dog fight between them and Brooklyn and the Cavs for the 3-5 spots. But Atlanta's frontcourt isn't as strong as ours and we can outscore their backcourt, so I put them behind us.

5. BKN- I agree with Rich that on paper they're one of the most talented teams in basketball. I doubt their espirit de corps. I don't know how well they'll work together. There'll be tough games and tough losses and I can see them turning on each other or on the coach. They'll be able to score with the Cavs but I don't think they can defend. I agree with Rich: Absolutely biggest question mark in basketball.

6. Philly- They can score with us, but they only have one Embiid. We have Allen and Mobley and Embiid can't guard both of them. Thus we have a perpetual mismatch. Allen did a credible job on Embiid. With Mobley healthy, every time Embiid beats Allen, Mobley will come from the weak side to block him. He'll get tired of that and turn to jump shots. He'll hit a lot, but not enough to beat us.

7. Miami- Lowry is old and Butler is getting older. Adebayo is really good, but like Embiid, there's only one of him. They can't match up with Mobley and Allen, let alone Garland and Mitchell. They may fall out of the playoffs.

8. Toronto- May pass Miami. Siakim is their star, but their frontcourt and backcourt do not match up against ours. Against us, they'll live or die by the jump shot. We'll win with our inside game.

9. Charlotte - Conceivably could pass Miami or Toronto. Gotta see how the young players develop.

10. Chicago- I can't improve on what Rich said: "They fell off a cliff last year and I don't see any type of reason why they'll be turning it around this one. Ball just had surgery and his injury was a big reason they dropped off. Combine that with the fact that DeRozan basically had a career year that I don't think he'll be repeating and I wouldn't be surprised if this is a 41 win team this year."


WEST


1. Golden State- They're the champs and with their center back, they'll be better this year. But Klay never has recovered his old form. They are vulnerable due to Klay and Curry aging.

2. Denver- I'm eager to see Jocic and Murray and Porter at it. I'll take that trio over Kawai and George.

3. Los Angeles Clippers- Have we ever seen Kawai and George together and healthy? I'm skeptical


4. Phoenix- Ayton controversy and Chris Paul is a year older, doesn't bode well for the team. Plus the Sarver distraction might hurt them.

5. Memphis- Could easily be higher. Hard to look at the names on the jerseys and put them ahead of the above teams, but there is something there besides talent level. They know how to play, they are well coached, and the roster just fits. Wouldn't be shocked if they're a top 3 seed again.

6. LAL- If Lebron and Davis are healthy and play as they did in 2020, they have a chance to win it all. Can Westbrook fit in with the new coach? Can he coach? We'll find out. They are like the Nets in the East, a big question mark.

7. Minnesota- Gobert playing with Towns gives them a legitimate big two, like the Cavs. You add Ant-man and I think 7 may be low for them. But integrating new stars isn't easy.

8. New Orleans- I see the addition of Zion moving them up at least a notch. The question won't be scoring for them, but defense. Can they stop the other team?

9. Dallas- They lost Brunson and added Woods. At worst I see this as an even deal, and it has a chance to add more rebounding and defense. But again, can they create teamwork with the new personnel? Can they defend and diversify their offense around Doncic?

10. Sacramento- Rich has this one. I can't beat his assessment: "this is almost by default. Utah and the Spurs, by all rights, should be out of the equation this year with the moves they made in the off-season. OKC and Houston won't be ready to challenge for a spot yet imo. That leaves Sacramento and Portland. I'll take Sacramento, though they'll still be a below .500 team."

Finals: Denver vs. Bucks, with the Bucks winning.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I think we will get our first 5x5 since Draymond. Feels like it has been long enough...tho I'm not sure who gets it. Current expectation is Cedi

What means this, 5x5?

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Boston sucks my balls.

That is all.

 

[foucault87]

What means this, 5x5?

5x5 is getting 5 points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in the same game

 

[jjvors]

This message was entered in error. I can't see how to delete it.