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NBA Predictions: The Rivalry Continues

By Bryan Gibberman

Nov 29, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls a time-out during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls a time-out during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Take a look at some NBA predictions for the 2014-15 season.

The NBA season tips off less than a week from today. The Eastern Conference has been turned upside down, while the Western Conference looks reasonably similar.  Here is a look at my predictions for each conference and end of season awards.

Eastern Conference 

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers
  2. Toronto Raptors
  3. Chicago Bulls
  4. Atlanta Hawks
  5. Washington Wizards
  6. Charlotte Bobcats
  7. New York Knicks
  8. Miami Heat

Lets start with the bottom. I really didn’t want to pick the Heat to make the playoffs, but I respect Chris Bosh enough I couldn’t go with the Brooklyn Nets over them. Miami’s players after their top three of Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng is insanely weak. I go back and forth on the Knicks over and over again. If I could get a contract signed by Derek Fisher that Cole Aldrich/Jason Smith at center would play with Carmelo Anthony, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Jose Calderon for 1,000 minutes or more I’d feel way more comfortable picking them seventh. There are scenarios based on the rotation Fisher plays I’d pick New York to win less than 35 games.

The next three are pretty much all interchangeable. The Hawks, Wizards and Bobcats are in a similar place. They’re solid basketball teams in position to succeed in a mediocre East. There are certain scenarios with each team I could see them making a jump if scenarios play out in their favor. Atlanta needs Al Horford to stay healthy, John Wall ceiling potential and a possible Lance Stephenson jump in Charlotte are all interesting angles to watch.

The Cavaliers, Raptors and Bulls are my top three and I’m probably one of a few to have the Raptors ahead of the Bulls. I love this Toronto team. Chicago has more variance and if I was to pick which team has the best chance at the one seed besides Cleveland it would be them.

Eastern Conference Finals 

  • Cleveland Cavaliers versus Toronto Raptors

Western Conference 

  1. San Antonio Spurs
  2. Los Angeles Clippers
  3. Oklahoma City Thunder
  4. Houston Rockets
  5. Memphis Grizzlies
  6. Golden State Warriors
  7. Dallas Mavericks
  8. Phoenix Suns

The only change I made from the playoffs from last season to this one was replacing the Portland Trail Blazers with the Suns. Despite my concerns regarding not brining back Channing Frye I think Phoenix is good enough to steal that eighth seed. I really wanted to pick the Pelicans because of Anthony Davis, but they don’t have the bench to deal with any injuries.

I didn’t have the balls to put the Rockets or Grizzlies higher even though I really wanted to. The Warriors I have at just a level below those two which isn’t an insult in any way.

Losing Kevin Durant sucks, but it’s nice to have Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka to fall back on. If they can win games vs. Nuggets, at Nets, vs. Kings, at Bucks, at Celtics, vs. Pistons, at Jazz, vs. Knicks, at Pelicans, at 76ers, at Pistons, vs. Bucks, at Timberwolves, at Kings, at Lakers, vs. Pelicans that gets them to December 23rd and at worst Oklahoma City is 16-12. That’s a low ball estimate and there’s definitely room for more wins. If they get Durant before that point it’s only a bonus. There will be plenty of time left in the season for the Thunder to put together victories.

It’s scary how good Blake Griffin is going to be this season. If the Clippers can shore up the small forward position I’d probably pick them to win the West. The Spurs are the Sp

Oct 17, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

urs and will keep doing what they do.

Western Conference Finals 

  • San Antonio Spurs versus Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Finals 

  • Cleveland Cavaliers versus San Antonio Spurs

Well that’s an extremely boring pick. Cleveland has too much talent for anyone in the East to compete and San Antonio will continue to get the most out of all of its parts. Most thought Durant vs, LeBron was going to end up being the next Magic vs. Bird, but this generations NBA Finals battle might well end up being the Spurs vs. LeBron. If it happens again that will be the fourth time since 2006-2007 the two have collided.

I’ll pick the Spurs to repeat. It’s the one thing Gregg Popovich hasn’t accomplished during his incredible run with the team and this could be the time it finally goes down. San Antonio has never even made the finals the year after a championship — they were eliminated in the first round once, conference semifinals twice and conference finals once.

NBA Awards

MVP

  • Blake Griffin

The correct answer is LeBron James especially with Durant hurt, but my finals pick was boring so I’m getting a little creative here. I’m going with Griffin making another jump this year.

All-NBA First Team 

  • Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Chris Paul

Defensive Player of the Year

  • Dwight Howard

Banking on this be the year Howard returns to Orlando form and is completely dominant on a night to night basis.

Rookie of the Year

  • Jabari Paker

Going back to the obvious here. Parker is going to be able to rack up all sorts of stats on a bad Bucks team. As we saw last year with Michael-Carter Williams that’s an easy way to win this award.

Sixth Man of the Year

  • Isaiah Thomas

I’m in on the Suns three-headed point guard monster. All three guys are going to get plenty of run and plenty of opportunities to make plays in head coach Jeff Hornacek’s uptempo system. Thomas has another big year.

Coach of the Year

  • Scott Brooks

My guess here is Brooks is going to get a ton of positive press if the Thunder keep it together or overachieve while Durant is out. This will help garner votes in an award that doesn’t always end up with who the best actual coach is.

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