(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
The NBA season is back. I couldn’t be happier. Even if there was baseball distracting me because playoffs in sports do get me. But, hey, it was nice to see the Celtics and Sixers go at it as well as the Warriors and Thunder.
The Warriors had ring night for the third time in four seasons. Chances are that they’ll do it for the fourth time in five seasons at this time next year. Unless they go on a huge tailspin this season (something like going 41-41 this year), fans really shouldn’t be worried about the Golden State Warriors.
I feel like in a way, we give every team a different gauge. Most perennial playoff teams are okay to cruise. But for some that really wanna be taken seriously? They will go for the #1 seed and try to get every advantage they can in the playoffs.
For example, the Warriors just want to get to the playoffs. That’s why I wasn’t worried about them at all when they fell to the second seed. The Rockets really wanted to prove themselves as championship material so they had to go for the #1 seed. Toronto had that same mentality but of course, we know what happened to them in the playoffs.
Sometimes, there are the ones that make the playoffs for 20 straight years. Such as the Spurs. No matter what, we know they’ll be there and they will always be a tough out (well, maybe not this year). For up-and-coming teams like the Sixers? They did well last year but now there is the pressure for them to do better this year. Same for the Celtics. Now they are expected to be in that “championship material” level, especially after two East Finals appearances and with LeBron James moving to the West.
Different narratives bring different expectations for each team. So with that said, here are my predictions for each team’s record. Keep in mind that I tweeted about this before the games started yesterday afternoon, so I’m TOTALLY not cheating on this one.
Where are my playoff predictions? Who am I kidding? The Warriors should win it all again. Unless Draymond Green goes for the low blow…
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. BOSTON CELTICS (55-27): So much rich talent. They’ll have adjustments to get Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving back in the mix but they’ll be fine.
2. TORONTO RAPTORS (54-28): Everyone thinks of the embarrassment they received from LeBron James and the Cavs but that roadblock is gone now. And Kawhi Leonard should keep them on or near the top.
3. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (53-29): This should be a more consistent 53 wins instead of having that huge run in the second half of the season. They know how good they are. Well, not against Boston as seen last night…
4. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (47-35): More of a free-flowing offense should unlock more of Giannis‘s gifts. They should have a bit of a jump this season.
5. INDIANA PACERS (46-36): They won’t surprise anyone this season but Victor Oladipo is legitimately very good. The pairing with Tyreke Evans should be… interesting.
6. MIAMI HEAT (44-38): No matter who’s in the trenches, you know teams coached by Erik Spoelstra are going to pose a threat to everyone.
7. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (44-38): Not sure if they’ll ever put it together enough to get to the upper tier of teams. And adding Dwight Howard might not be the best thing, even though he’s played well the last few years.
8. DETROIT PISTONS (40-42): A full season of Blake Griffin could prove to be beneficial for this borderline playoff team.
9. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (37-45): Say goodbye to four straight trips to the NBA Finals. This should look more like Kevin Love‘s old teams.
10. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (36-46): This team is so nondescript that I’m putting their record at the same spot like their last two seasons.
11. NEW YORK KNICKS (31-51): Who knows when Kristaps Porzingis will return? But some coaching and talent (Kevin Knox?) will put them above the other teams.
12. ORLANDO MAGIC (27-55): They seriously haven’t been the same since Dwight left. They never got the man they can build a team around and it’s been musical chairs for their coaching.
13. BROOKLYN NETS (26-56): I really want D’Angelo Russell to succeed but this team is just young with no potential stars. Back to the lottery for these guys.
14. CHICAGO BULLS (23-59): I kind of wonder if I’m putting them TOO high. Well, Bulls fans can always brag that Michael Jordan played there.
15. ATLANTA HAWKS (22-60): I just want Trae Young and my boy, Jeremy Lin, to have really good seasons.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (63-19): They’re gonna be cruising. And when they get back Boogie Cousins, maaaannnnn…
2. HOUSTON ROCKETS (55-27): I don’t think anyone liked their offseason. I will be interested to see Carmelo Anthony‘s season, though. What kind of adjustments will he make, if at all?
3. UTAH JAZZ (53-29): Donovan Mitchell has been a boon. Now we’ll see if they can take the next step.
4. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (52-30): He may not become the best player this season but he can become the best story. That’s why Anthony Davis is my pick to win MVP.
5. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (47-35): Russell Westbrook may not get that triple-double season again. Either way, they still have enough talent to stay afloat.
6. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (45-37): LeBron James makes a difference. How big a difference, though? Either way, I won’t be surprised if they get like 55 wins or something. That’s how much I respect LeBron.
7. SAN ANTONIO SPURS (45-37): They lost Kawhi, gain DeMar DeRozan, and lose both their point guards (Tony Parker to Charlotte and Dejounte Murray to injury). Still, I think Coach Pop will find a way.
8. DENVER NUGGETS (44-38): I don’t think they’ll be as hot as most people say but they’ll still make the postseason.
9. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (43-39): I’m not sure if their ceiling will get any higher with their current talent. Their ceiling being 50 wins and second round.
10. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (41-41): We’re addicted to you. Don’t you know that you’re toxic?
11. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (36-46): Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are back to lead but these are hardly your big sibling’s Grizz.
12. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (34-48): They’ll be a fun team but Lob City feels like a decade ago.
13. DALLAS MAVERICKS (33-49): Luka Doncic will definitely be fun, though. From what I’ve seen so far, though, the future looks bright.
14. PHOENIX SUNS (27-55): The sun will come out… well, not tomorrow, because it takes six months to finish a season.
15. SACRAMENTO KINGS (27-55): The current longest playoff drought will continue.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.