[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

1.) The Cleveland Cavaliers will not make it to the NBA Finals – This is my boldest statement, but I believe the eastern conference have improved a bit, while the Cavs took a step back this offseason. They lost their back up point guard and their third string might retire. Also, they have Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye as key members on the team, they are old. I can see a team like Toronto or Boston beating them in a 7 games series.

2.) Neither Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram will win Rookie Of the Year – The ROTY award is awarded to the player that put up the best stat line in their rookie year. I don’t believe Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will put up great stat lines. I believe Kris Dunn can have a great stats year and win rookie of the year.

3.) Dallas Mavericks Surprises – I know people love to bash Harrison Barnes for making all that money and be trash in the finals, but I believe he will have a breakout year for the Mavericks. They have a solid team, while being coached by a top 5 coach in the league. Wouldn’t surprise me if the were a 6-8 seed.

4.) Big Time Surprise Trades – I believe John Wall will be traded if the Wizards are off to a poor start. He been given questionable comments about the fans, teammates, and city for a little minute. I believe he might get traded, Paul Millsap, and Zack Randolph might get traded.

5.) Indiana Disappoints, Milwaukee Shines –  I believe the Pacers made sideways moves all offseason. They suppose to go more "pace and space", but they added Al Jefferson and now Kevin Seraphin. They hired a coach known for having poor offenses. And they went sideways w/ the Jeff Teague v. George Hill. While, Milwaukee got things figued out the end of the season w/ Giannis, Khris, and Jabari leading the way and role player like Miles Plumlee played well w/ them. I expect them to be great next season.

6.) Miami Struggles – At first I thought the Heat will be a top 6 team in the east, but then I looked at how much teams improved, while the Heat lost 3/5 starters and still have Chris Bosh out. The only teams I see them being better than in the east is the 76ers and Nets.

7.) San Antonio Defense plummet – With the loss of Tim Duncan will drastically hurt the Spurs outstanding defense. If their starting 5 is Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, LA, and Pau Gasol, then they will have 3 players that are minus defenders.

8.) James Harden MVP??? – I know the Rockets and James Harden are the laughing stock in the league right now, but Kevin Durant and Steph Curry basically cancle each other out and LeBron is getting up there + LeBron fatigue. I believe the number 2 seed in the west is up for grabs and that James Harden will average over 30 points per game this season.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

[BornaskulParticipant]

For Harden to win MVP Houston should win over 50 games which is not that crazy actually but still it will be hard to disregard  Curry or Durant if the Warriors are close to 70 wins.
Also Lebron hasn’t won the mvp last 3 seasons so the fatigue should be gone 

You made some good points about Miami, now when I think about it they could really be out of the playoff race.

What would it take to say the Spurs plummet? winning around 48 games? 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 Their defense will plummet. Not the team. I believe they will win upwards of 60 games, but their defense will be a liability when it matters the most.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

I agree the Cavs, Heat and Pacers will disappoint. Mahinmi and George Hill were better than anyone the Pacers acquired, the Cavs are aging, and the Heat are very shallow without Bosh. The Spurs defense was historic last year and they could "plummet" by 5 points and still be top 5. I’m not an Aldridge fan but he is at least average defensively, and Green and Leonard are the best wing defense combo in the league. I think the Wizards would rather trade Beal, and maybe include Gortat. I think the Mavs could nab the 8th seed, but I doubt much of it is due to Barnes.

[festar35Participant]

1.) The Cleveland Cavaliers will not make it to the NBA Finals – While possible I don’t think it is likely, no team has improved enough to knock them off there spot, Irving and James are both top 5 talents in the Eastern Conference. Even if Horford shows us he can be a 20-10 guy in another offense it ain’t enough.

2.) Neither Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram will win Rookie Of the Year – Highly possible all though my money is on Simmons to take home the hardware.

3.) Dallas Mavericks Surprises – Carlisle always finds a way to win, I totally agree with this. I really hope Barnes steps up.

4.) Big Time Surprise Trades – Paul Millsap I could see happen and Wall is interesting, I think that Washington would move Beal first and try get a guy like Cousins (who I think Sac-Town finally parts with)

5.) Indiana Disappoints, Milwaukee Shines – I believe my Pacers are more improved with a legitimate PG in Teague and the other reason they will improve is because PG13 is back and comfortable again, as has been said 100 times Myles Turner is the X-Factor in this team and I think Indiana are a bit better than last year if Turner gets better they could be very tough (McMillan runs slow offenses, but his teams were always high scoring). Agree with Milwaukee, 3-pt shooting could still let them down though.

6.) Miami Struggles – Agreed.

7.) San Antonio Defense plummet – Poppovich will put a good team together that plays cohesive defense.

8.) James Harden MVP??? – Not even a little. You have James, Curry, Durant, Westbrook, George to name a few.

[LovebugParticipant]

Beal isn’t worth Cousins 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

You didn’t waste any time going bold. Toronto was completely overmatched by CLE in the playoffs last year…every game they lost was basically by 20+. Boston hasn’t made it out of the first round the last 2 years. They’re not all of a sudden winning the conference because they added Al Horford. Now if Cleveland were to lose JR Smith, I might consider them as beatable, but Delly isn’t that big of a difference maker to stop them getting back to the finals. If Mo retires they’ll probably just go add Norris Cole or Chalmers and keep it moving.

2-4 I agree with.

If anyone made lateral moves it’s Milwaukee. They added Delly and Teletovic to a team that couldn’t score or protect the paint well enough to win last year. It does help them some in the 3pt department where they also struggled, but those 2 aquisitions don’t move the needle enough to elevate them. Unless Thon Maker is ready to contribute at a high level much earlier than expected, this team isn’t anything more than a fringe 8th seed, even with the expected improvements of Jabari & Giannis. As for Indiana, if any team can push Cleveland in a series it’s probably them. They have the star player in PG who has some of his brightest moments in the playoffs against LeBron. They have the speed at the guard spots to penetrate and put pressure on Cleveland’s interior defense. They have big Myles Turner in the middle who can create problems on both ends. They also have a bench that can put some points on the board.

6 & 7 are spot on IMO

As much as I’d love Harden to win MVP, I just can’t see Houston winning enough games as currently constructed for him to get serious enough consideration. Westbrook has a better shot than Harden. I agree Curry & KD are going to cancel each other out. My sleeper MVP picks are Paul George and Chris Paul.

 

 

Here’s my bold prediction. The Clippers finally get over the hump and knock off the Warriors in the WCF.

 

 

 

 

 

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I disagree w/ Milwaukee. The Bucks were great on offense and defense post all star break. They were a top 5 team on offense and defense when Jabari Parker, Giannis, and Khris Middleton was on the floor at the same time. Miles Plumlee is not a household name, but he played great w/ that group. Delly should also drive w/ that group. They didn’t make tons of moves, but the additions of Mirza Teletovich was one of the best bargain additions in the offseason. I believe they will be a 5-6 seed this year.

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

True, but they were still a below .500 team (11-17) during that period. The problem is those guys can’t play all 48 and they still lack reliable backups on the wings. I like Mirza, but playing him at the 3 is probably not the best idea.

I respect your opinion, I just don’t see how they get 15 wins better and leapfrog 6 teams when only 2 of the teams ahead of them (Charlotte & Miami) really regressed.

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

The only way Cleveland does not make the NBA Finals is if Lebron is injured. Toronto & Boston especially are No Where near Cleveland. Boston was just Manhandled by Atlanta in the 1st round & it was not Horford who was doing the manhandling. At 6’9”+ & 30 years old Horford is even More of a perimeter player than usual now.

And I Luv your Clippers call. No one ever talks about this but Golden State avoided OKC, San Antonio & the LA Clippers in their 2015 run & were a game 1 OT from being down 3-0 to a One man Cleveland team. OKC & Cleveland beat GSW up Badly in the playoffs last year & Durant really showed that he is just Not a clutch player. W/ OKC out of the mix for Top 4 it looks like Utah or Portland or maybe even OKC will win that Division & capture the #3 seed.

Why does this matter b/c Golden State will have to play the Clippers in the 2nd round & then if they do get by the Clippers (which will be a blood bath) they will Absolutely have to face San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals & then Cleveland in the Finals.

I just don’t think the Warriors are going to even make the Finals. That first year will be growing pains. And the Clippers & Spurs are Better suited to use the style that OKC & Cleveland used to beat down the Warriors last year.

The other things I don’t care about. I like Harden a lot but I just can’t see him winning MVP. So I agree w/ you there. Milwaukee is Not a good team. I agree they made laterall moves. The ROTY award is meaningless. Dunn will have to fight for stats w/ KAT & Wiggins & Simmons has Saric & Embiid to compete w/ for stats. I don’t see Simmons scoring a lot & he’ll be fine w/ that b/c he’s so unselfish. Simmons & Embiid are going to terrify the East though b/c we’ll get a glimpse of the future of that conference (same thing w/ Minnesota)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs the L.A. Clippers in the NBA Finals & Cleveland wins in 7 games, (Whoever comes out of the West is going to be so beat – it’s Lebron’s time for one more year – then GSW prob takes over after a year to Gel)

 

 

 

 

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 

1.) The Cleveland Cavaliers will not make it to the NBA Finals – I doubt about this one. Could happen though.

2.) Neither Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram will win Rookie Of the Year – Highly likely. I had Hield winning it if Simmons won’t.

3.) Dallas Mavericks Surprises – This is not shocking at all. They somehow made the playoffs every year so it’s not surprised.

4.) Big Time Surprise Trades – Not one big name got traded this past year so I doubt about this one as well.

5.) Indiana Disappoints, Milwaukee Shines – Totally disagree with this one. Indiana got better and I see them being a threat to Cleveland but Milwaukee will shine.

6.) Miami Struggles – Sadly, I agree but I see them being better than Orlando though and not just Brooklyn and Philly.

7.) San Antonio Defense plummet – Yep.

8.) James Harden MVP??? – Not likely since this is pretty much Westbrook’s to lose. I see Houston not making the playoffs though.

[Hype Machine]

Save your bold predictions. NBA is every bit as rigged as Ayesha Curry tweeted.

The best place to start when making predictions is to try and develop a scenario in your mind that results in the most $$ for the league.

And theres a decent chance that outcome will happen.

In 2016 theres no Kobe farewell tour…no excitement around 73 win season…no Believeland…

Gonna be tough for to top those narratives for revenue streams. 

 

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 So your predicting a lakers v celtics finals?

[Hype Machine]

Lakers Celtics?

Maybe you bumped your head…cos no-ones tuning in to a Jordan Clarkson/Marcus Smart finals series.

The cash spinning narrative this year is the KD story. Hes my tip for MVP. Best player on best team. Lebron now slips into the John Cena role…where he ‘puts over’ KD.

Ben $immons will dominate merchandise sales. 99% of casual fans dont watch entire Philly games…just see vines of him dropping dimes. Already top 10 in jersey sales. 

 

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 You don’t think if Jordan Clarkson and Marcus smart somehow Miraculously got the 2 most storied franchises to the NBA finals it wouldn’t get viewers! Please! That would be bigger than Leicester City winning the EPL and watched in record numbers. 

[AwardedBallerParticipant]

 Huh? Lol it would most definitely not get more viewers then Warriors/Cavs III and you know this.

[SubZeroParticipant]

The NBAcant rig Klay to have the best shooting game in playoff history, and that’s 99% of the reason they beat us in the WCF

[Hype Machine]

OKC and GSW had equal amounts of star power and the league was counting the cash regardless of who won that series.

This year, its Cavs vs Dubs part III. Since no other narrative comes close in terms of matching potential revenue…pondering another outcome is just dellusional thinking.

Does anyone think the league would let Boston beat the Cavs in 16/17? Great city….great franchise with basketball history…but worldwide viewership for the Finals drops 50% the moment you replace Lebron James with Al Horford in the Finals series. It would be a disaster.

Who wins from that scenario? Less fans = Less money.

Less money for players, referees, owners, nike, espn etc etc

[HitsterParticipant]

Rookie of the year – There is a strong feeling that Ingram won’t start and will have to earn his minutes so I could see him not being ROY. If Simmons gets the keys to Philly and has the ball I think he has a strong shout as the next guys down in the draft are very much works in progress. Hield does stand out as an NBA ready guy who will see good minutes. A wildcard could be Embiid IF he is sound and as good as we hope, his minutes could be built up and he could put up good numbers.

James Harden could well average over 30ppg in a D’Antoni offence but unless Rockets are in legit contention he will struggle to be MVP. Kobe averaged 35.4ppg in 2005/06 and 31.6ppg in 2006/07 but didn’t win MVP in either year.

[Author]

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