Golden State-Cleveland Round 4 is on the horizon. I can’t wait!
I decided to wait a week before giving my preview/predictions just to see how things would shake out. I’m glad I did! Haywood went down with an injury, an injury that changes the landscape of the East. Memphis is looking great! The Thunder have some things to figure out offensively.
This should be a fun season to watch!
Courtesy: allbasketball.org
The MVP race this year could go any of five or six ways. I think the real competitors are LeBron James, James Harden, John Wall, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard. I think Harden and Durant have too much around them to make a serious case this year. Despite being the favorite, Durant has two other candidates on his team as well and there’s only one ball. People forget that. My personal favorite is LeBron James. With Kyrie gone, LBJ is going to get serious touches and be able to facilitate the offense. Coming off a season averaging 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, I could see those numbers sneak up a little even. A 28/9/9 season would absolutely lock up his 5th MVP trophy.
This year’s rookie class has exciting players to watch. Ben Simmons has become the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. Right behind him is Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr, Markelle Fultz, and Jason Tatem. Despite Simmons’ hot start, there’s injury concern. That why I don’t like Simmons for this pick. While Lonzo has a lot to prove, I think he has the skills to back it up. He’s one of the best passers around and has a deadly jump shot, too. I think we’ll see a smooth 14 point, 4 rebound, and 8 assist year for Lonzo and a playoff push for the Lakers. That will be plenty to get him the ROTY award. For comparison, last year Malcolm Brogdon averaged 10/2/4 and won the award.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
My pick for Defensive Player of the Year is Kawhi Leonard. He has been the favorite year after year, and this season is no different. He’s as sound defensively as anyone I have seen in recent years, and his team has the tools and depth to help him out. If I was a betting man, which I am, I would be putting money on Leonard.
Outside of the top couple teams, the East got so much worse. With players like George, Melo, Paul Milsap, and Jimmy Butler all going West, we’ll see a very top-heavy conference this year. With Boston struggling to replace Haywood, Cleveland should be able to stay ahead of Boston and take the 1-seed with the Celtics right on the Cavs’ heels. Rounding out the Playoff 8, I like the Raptors, Wizards, Bucks, Heat, Hornets, and Pistons. Some people think the 76ers have a shot, but I think they’re still a year or two away–and they also need to stay healthy to contend. I like Boston and Cleveland making easy runs to the conference finals again. I expect the Cavs to handle the Celtics in 5 or 6 and make it back to the finals again.
Courtesy: Fansided.com
The competition in the West gets better and better every year. I think Golden State runs away with the conference again–winning 65 games. I expect Houston to hold the second seed with wins in the high 50s. After that, I like the Spurs at 3, Thunder at 4, and the Clippers, Wolves, Blazers, and Grizzly’s rounding out the playoff picture. The first round should be a breeze but, after that, it should get really interesting. I like the youth and athleticism of the Thunder to give Golden State a hard 6 games before falling. Houston should take care of the Spurs in similar fashion. I like Golden State making its way back to the finals.
That means…Golden State-Cleveland Round 4 is on the horizon. I can’t wait! As a Cleveland fan, this is what I look forward to…starting in July. While I’m clearly biased, I’m not ignorant. It’s going to take some help for the Cavs to win. With Rose battling bad knees and Wade battling age, the Cavs need to keep them healthy down the stretch. A soft conference and a (hopefully) easy playoff run should help. If they can pick up a free agent or two down the stretch, which they typically do, that could change things.
You never really know how things will shake out as the season winds down. If Golden State stays healthy and drama- free all season, they are the clear and heavy favorite. However, nobody remembers the writer who picked the favorites every time.
I like the Cavs in 7 and LeBron for Finals MVP!
(Keep an eye out for my weekly review and updated standings/projections.)
