NBA season predictions
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Alec Burks (18) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden on Dec 4, 2021. Credit: Brad Penner
Recent weeks have shown that timing on predictions matters. If we had tried this a month ago, we might have wondered if the Nets would have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in place.
We’d have put faith in the Boston Celtics’ leadership under Ime Udoka and praised the expected contributions of Danilo Gallinari. And we might have talked about the leadership of Draymond Green influencing Jordan Poole.
Things happen.
So maybe we’d like to wait even longer, but with the season beginning this week, here’s a guess at what the 2022-23 NBA season might bring.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: It takes a village, or at least a team, to make this happen — the award will go to a player from a team that finishes in the top four in its conference. So let’s guess that in the East, that means Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia and the Nets; in the West, it means Golden State, Phoenix, the Clippers and Denver. It’s tiring by now, but the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has put together amazing campaigns — and a jump in the standings with a healthy cast around him could lead to a third straight MVP for him. NIKOLA JOKIC.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: There was a clear tier in the draft with the top three plotted out in some order, even if the final pick might have surprised. But with that top pick, Paolo Banchero has emerged as the favorite — playing impressively in preseason with a team in need of him to put up numbers. But we’ll go to Sacramento with the fourth overall pick, left out of the conversation with Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith. KEEGAN MURRAY
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: I’d put this one in the hands of the doctors and trainers. A year ago at this time, Zion Williamson looked as if his career might be in doubt. He was idled by injury again, and videos and photos appeared of him with alarming added weight. But the Pelicans put their trust in him, he did the same for the team and now, maybe, he’s healthy enough to play a nearly full season. That would put him in front for this award, ahead of Tyrese Maxey and Anthony Edwards. ZION WILLIAMSON.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Speaking of health, if — big if — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy and back to form, the Los Angeles Clippers can make a big jump this season. And if they do, expect the praise that has long followed the coach to an award that he’s been in the mix for in years past. TY LUE.
.
EAST
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Boston Celtics
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Miami Heat
5. Nets
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Knicks
10. Chicago Bulls
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. Washington Wizards
13. Detroit Pistons
14. Indiana Pacers
15. Orlando Magic
EAST CHAMP
Bucks over 76ers. Too many questions for Celtics even with the experience of last year’s run. The Nets could always implode.
WEST CHAMP
Golden State over Nuggets. Golden State has another run in it with depth and balance.
NBA FINALS
Bucks over Golden State.
Too much Giannis
Antetokounmpo.
WEST
1. Golden State
2. Denver Nuggets
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Memphis Grizzlies
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Minnesota T-Wolves
9. Los Angeles Lakers
10. Sacramento Kings
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Utah Jazz
13. Houston Rockets
14. San Antonio Spurs
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
