Place Your Bets & Gear Up With A 2016 NBA Season Preview
The season tips off tomorrow night in Cleveland, (Oct 25) as the New York Knicks look to ruin the Cavaliers' ring night.
When the NBA tips off tomorrow night in Cleveland (Oct. 25), there will be no shortage of drama and storylines that come along with it.
We can't remember a season with so many major changes in the league from the season prior. So many faces in new places: Kevin Durant joined a 73 win team in Golden State, D-Wade left the 305 for his hometown Chicago, and the Knicks picked up Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Legends like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan won't ever take the floor again-- that hurts even to type. It's time for younger stars in the league to step up and carry the 'Association' like the icons mentioned prior did, for the past 20 years.
Here are our predictions on who will take home this upcoming season's awards, as well as who will be raising the Larry O'Brien trophy, come June 2017.
Enjoy the season everyone, it's going to be a fun ride.
EAST
Cleveland Cavaliers
Toronto Raptors
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Indiana Pacers
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland will once again rule the Eastern Conference and are a near lock to meet up with Golden State in the finals. The Knicks and Pacers will be some of the most improved teams in the conference and will look to make some noise with their new personnel. Chicago is another interesting team, a lot of talent fused with some egos gives this a chance to really go well or blow up in their faces.
WEST
Golden State Warriors
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Clippers
Portland Trail Blazers
Memphis Grizzlies
Utah Jazz
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
All roads lead to Golden State, coming off a 73-win season and blowing a 3-1 NBA Finals loss, the dubs will be locked in this year looking to avenge last season's defeat. Also, they happened to add a top-5 player, this is going to be fun. I wasn't a huge fan of the moves the Blazers made this off-season but they possibly have the most depth in the backcourt of any in the league. As a great home team, they should win close to 50 games. Surprise teams in the conference: Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, don't sleep on these young teams, as they get ready to make the leap.
NBA Season Awards
MVP: LeBron James
Most Improved Player: Devin Booker
6th Man Of The Year: Brandon Jennings
The Compton native inked a 1-year 5 million dollar deal to come to the Knicks. The 27-year-old looks to bring that swag back to 'The Garden' as well as get his own career back on track. Jennings will look to give the Knicks a jolt off the bench. Brandon has a great opportunity to do something special. If healthy, Jennings looks to be the first Knick to win the award, since J.R. Smith took home the honors back in 2013. I feel like it was destiny that Brandon was always meant for NYC.
Defensive Player Of The Year: Kawhi Leonard
Coach Of The Year: Tom Thibodeau
Rookie Of The Year: Joel Embiid
Conference Finals Prediction:
EAST: Cavaliers Over Celtics
WEST: Warriors Over Clippers
2016-2017 NBA Finals Champion:
Cleveland Cavaliers Over Golden State Warriors (LeBron Overtakes Michael Jordan As The Greatest)
If LeBron James can conquer the tall task of taking out the super-team formed in Golden State, he will cement his legacy as the greatest. Catching the 'ghost in Chicago' he famously referenced this summer, known as Michael Jordan. Barring major injury, we are staring down another epic rematch between the Warriors and Cavaliers. #Round3
