In which I look at the NBA Season 77 landscape and make guesses about the outcome that are certain to age atrociously.
Happy Opening Day!! The 2022-23 NBA season has finally arrived! It’s an exciting time for basketball fans, and the optimism compels us to make predictions about how the campaign will unfold. I’m not above this exercise, so I gleefully submit to you my contribution to this conversation.
I’m doing the full gauntlet of season preview guesses, because why not? Conference rankings, awards, playoffs, finals. I’m sure a few of these will turn out correct, but I’m setting my expectations low. Some of these takes are going to age like Whole Foods produce.
However, that’s the fun of this activity, isn’t it? The prediction is as much a reflection of you as it is of what you are predicting. The ups and downs of the long season will challenge those beliefs that were initially held when the leaves first turned and the ball was just getting tipped off. That roller-coaster experience brings another degree of excitement when watching the game.
While you read this article, don’t forget to let me know what some of your predictions for the season will be. Drop your thoughts on the season ahead in my replies on Twitter @rymndsmms!
EASTERN CONFERENCE
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Miami Heat
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- New York Knicks
- Washington Wizards
- Orlando Magic
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Charlotte Hornets
WESTERN CONFERENCE
- Golden State Warriors
- Denver Nuggets
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- Utah Jazz
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- San Antonio Spurs
- Houston Rockets
AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Joel Embiid, 76ers
Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero, Magic
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Warriors
Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
Coach of the Year: Willie Green, Pelicans
PLAYOFFS
PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT
Raptors def. Bulls
Hawks def. Knicks
Bulls def. Hawks
Mavericks def. Suns
Lakers def. Trail Blazers
Suns def. Lakers
FIRST ROUND
Bucks def. Bulls
Cavaliers def. Heat
Celtics def. Nets
76ers def. Raptors
Warriors def. Suns
Timberwolves def. Grizzlies
Pelicans def. Clippers
Nuggets def. Mavericks
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Bucks def. Cavaliers
Celtics def. 76ers
Warriors def. Timberwolves
Pelicans def. Nuggets
CONFERENCE FINALS
Bucks def. Celtics
Conference Finals MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Warriors def. Pelicans
Conference Finals MVP: Stephen Curry, Warriors
2023 NBA FINALS
Warriors def. Bucks
Finals MVP: Stephen Curry, Warriors