NBA Prediction time!
The NBA Bubble ended 72 days ago and here we are getting ready for another NBA season. No Bubble just vibes for this season though, while it is exciting that we are getting to as close to a normal NBA season as possible, I’m going to miss watching games at 3:30PM EST. The NBA decided to go back to what they know, teams will be traveling to different cities on a condensed schedule, and fan attendance is being governed by each individual team. I would say the NBA did an amazing job with the Bubble over the summer so I will trust that they will try and keep their players as safe as possible until they’re able to get the vaccine.
With the start of a new season, come new predictions from Princeadamus! So I’ll give you all my predictions for this season and a few sneaky darkhorse candidates that could make the season spicier than Bonchon Chicken Wings (if you know, you know)
MVP:
Luka Doncic
Barring injury, the MVP is Luka’s to lose this year. Last season he had his coming out party, he made the All Star team, was 1st Team All NBA and averaged 29/9/9 during the regular season and gave the Clippers the blues in 6 games on a bum ankle to the tune of 31/10/9. Those are MVP numbers right there now if he takes another leap this season and shoots the ball better, he can put up James Harden numbers easily.
Darkhorse: Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant
My MVP Darkhorse candidates are Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. I can make a case that with Lebron taking a few games off for load management AD can really go out there and run the show as a number 1 option and show the world how he is the best big man in the league.
A healthy Kevin Durant should always be in the MVP conversation. From the 7 minutes of Brooklyn Nets preseason basketball that I’ve seen, I can attest the KD is back! But seriously if KD is healthy the Nets have a chance to contend for a top seed in the East, their defense will be atrocious but defense only matters in the postseason as MVP is a regular season award. I can see the redemption story being written for KD from his multiple burner accounts.
Defensive Player:
Anthony Davis
AD should’ve won this award last year, the voters need to make it right.
Darkhorse: Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo
That block on Jason Tatum in the bubble is what should have put Bam on everyone’s radar, now that everyone is watching it’s time for him to show how he can defend multiple positions, he put y’all MVP Tzatziki Josh Smith in the blender last playoffs so he already has the reputation. Since no one knows how to really judge defensive performance, the reputation alone can have him walk away with the award next summer.
Speaking of Kalamata Tyrus Thomas, listen he may not know how to shoot but he can defend
Rookie of the Year:
LaMelo Ball:
As an honorary member of the Big Baller family, there is nothing that I’d like more seeing lil bro Melo accepting the Rookie of the Year Award. Charlotte needs to do what is right this season and give Lamelo the ball and let him cook. Tell Scary Terry and Gordon to move aside and give the keys to the franchise to the No.3 overall pick and the face of the franchise.
Darkhorse: Obi Toppin
Obi is 45 years old and his offensive game is more polished than the other rookies in his class, the Knicks are terrible so somebody gotta put up some points. With the New York hype machine behind him I don’t see why he
Sixth Man:
Caris Levert:
If he’s not traded for James Harden he can have a good season coming off the bench for the Nets. Caris has shown that he can play at a high level and asking him to come in the game and get buckets should suit him well.
Darkhorse: Montrez Harrel
He was Sixth Man of the Year last year, now that he’s on a better team I don’t see how he cannot replicate his production from last season.
Most Improved:
Michael Porter Jr:
Bad tweets aside MPJ is a walking bucket, at the very worse he could be vegan Tobias Harris but if he stays healthy he can be a borderline All Star
Darkhorse: RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett wasn’t as bad as everyone made him out to be last season. With that being said I think that the Maple Mamba is due for a better season this year.
East Standings:
Milwaukee
Miami
Boston
Brooklyn
Philadelphia
Toronto
Indiana
Orlando
West Standings:
LA Lakers
Dallas
Denver
LA Clippers
Portland
Memphis
Phoenix
Golden State