NBA Predictions

East:
1. Celtics
2. Raptors
3. 76ers
4. Bucks
5. Pacers
6. Wizards
7. Heat
8. Cavaliers

1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are my Team to look at to take the Crown for the East because of the momentum that they created last Season with the acquisition of Kyrie Irving along with the rise of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier along with Gordon Haywood added to the mix. Boston took the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers to the very brink as they were within ONE GAME of making it to the NBA Finals. Even though Kyrie was not part of the Series, the Celtics showed what their collective nucleus was made of even without a high profile name. Not saying that Irving was expendable, but Boston was certainly a surprise to make it that far. With LeBron going to Hollywood, I expect Boston to build from where they left off.

2. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors made a huge power move to raise their stock in the East by landing former San Antonio Spurs Franchise Star and Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Things were heading south between Kawhi and the Spurs during the Offseason because he felt a lack of support from the Organization while he was injured. Leonard initially wanted to join the Lakers because he is from that area. However, Gregg Popovich shut that down like Mutombo because he did not want to do business with them. As a result, the only option left was to move to the East and up North. Leonard came in a packaged deal along with Danny Green in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. Leonard adds some needed star power to a team that did very well by winning 59 Games while not having a marquee name. The expectations have been raised even higher.

3. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have a very strong nucleus that they are building piece by piece. With the likes of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the return of Markelle Fultz, the Sixers look to make an even greater leap. Philly already closed the Season with 52 wins, as I expect them to raise the bar to at least 56-57 Games. With Simmons and Embiid continuing to build their repertoire, the Sixers look to be a serious threat and well within the mix of the Top 3 Powerhouses in the East.

4. Milwaukee Bucks
With the Greek Freak Giannis as the Centerpiece, the Milwaukee Bucks will continue to be a dark horse within the Top 5 of the East. However, losing Jabari Parker could create a ripple effect leaving Giannis to carry even more of the weight. Milwaukee's lack of activity in the Offseason could very well prove detrimental moving forward.

5. Indiana Pacers
The rise of Victor Oladipo proved to be a very pleasant surprise in the post-Paul George era for the Pacers. Indy overachieved in some ways by winning 48 Games as I expect them to hover around that same mark. However, Oladipo's shooting touch started to disappear during the crucial second half of the season (January-March) as it nosedived to 30.2 percent. The Pacers supporting cast would have to rally even harder to cover those deficiencies.

6. Washington Wizards
During an offseason with a limited budget, the Washington Wizards made the most with what they were given. The Wizards upgraded their Athleticism at Center by replacing Marcin Gortat with perennial All-Star Dwight Howard. The Wizards also added Austin Rivers and Jeff Green to provide what they believe could be some extra depth. However, the only concern with this is a matter of chemistry.


7. Miami Heat
With Heat Legend and future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade making this Season his Curtain Call, Miami is well into their rebuilding phase as a franchise. The Heat will be entering this season with a 14 player roster, which is one player under the league's average. It's not surprising as the team wants to save around $4 million including salary and tax. With Hassan Whiteside as their Centerpiece, Miami looks to float as a contender within the at least 7th place.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers
No other place for the Cavs to go at this point with the departure once again of their Crown Jewel LeBron James. With King LBJ going to Hollywood, the Cavs are back in the cellar for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The tables have turned significantly for the Cavs, but at least they are not out of the playoffs altogether with Kevin Love as their new Primary Option.







West:
1. Warriors
2. Rockets
3. Jazz
4. Thunder
5. Lakers
6. Timberwolves
7. Pelicans
8. Blazers


1. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have a stranglehold on the Western Conference with the Infinity Gauntlet as they have added perennial All-Star and former Pelicans Center, DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie is going to be Golden State's latest Infinity Stone as the Starting Lineup looks like a Regular Season All-Star Team. I look to see them continue their reign in the West by going 65-17.

2. Houston Rockets
After taking the Western Conference Heavyweight Champs to 7 Games last season, the Houston Rockets will continue to be the biggest threat to the Warriors. With the addition of future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, the Rockets look to open the floor when it comes to their isolation scoring. Houston has a triple threat of their own with the mix of CP3-Harden-Anthony to make some noise, but it won't hold the Champs down completely. The only concern for them is a matter of chemistry, but I don't see that holding them back any further than 2nd Place. I see them going at least 59-23.

3. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is the silent assassins of the West because they aren't treated as the powerhouse that they are. Utah made a surprisingly impressive run even without Gordon Haywood. With the rise of Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz look to duplicate that success while also implementing Jae Crowder and a returning Rudy Gobert.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (51-31)
With the nucleus of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, the Thunder will look to continue to be among the Top 5 Teams to look for in the West. With the exit of Carmelo Anthony, OKC could become more flexible defensively with the addition of Nerlens Noel.

5. Los Angeles Lakers
This is going to be very fascinating. The Lakers got a Shark in the Free Agency pool with the acquisition of LeBron James to add much-needed depth and marquee value to a rebuilding Lakers roster filled with youth. LeBron's Scoring, Playmaking, and experience would prove as very valuable assets for the likes of Lonzo Ball to learn from. However, the Lakers biggest Achilles Heel is their shooting. With Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo, the Lakers have their share of weaknesses in the shooting department. As history has proven time and time again, LeBron can turn lemons into lemonade.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in quite the spot. They have a promising nucleus but are in need to win now. With Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins at the forefront of the future, things seem bright. However, they are facing chemistry issues with Jimmy Butler and an injury prone Derrick Rose. Minnesota would at best finish at the 6th seed.

7. New Orleans Pelicans
I see the Pelicans finishing 7th place at best. Nothing more, nothing less with Anthony Davis keeping things steady in the wake of losing Boogie Cousins.

8. Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers rely heavily on their one-two punch of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in the backcourt with Evan Turner as a complimentary piece. With that said, I see them finishing the season winning at least 48 Games to secure the 8th Spot.


Conference Finals:
Celtics vs. Raptors (Celtics 4-3)
This series would be a tough battle on the road to the Finals, but I see Boston capturing the crown in the East as they capitalize on what they did last season by finishing what they started.

Warriors vs. Lakers (Warriors 4-1)
As great as LeBron James is at making others around him better, the Warriors just have too much strength at all positions as they continue to be his Kryptonite. I see LeBron's Finals streak coming to an end in the West.

NBA Finals:
Warriors vs Celtics (Warriors 4-2)
This is the marquee matchup that I look forward to the most in the Finals. Two very stacked teams giving it everything, but Golden State will continue to keep their grip on the NBA Finals Trophy with Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry winning Finals MVP.