2016-17 NBA Predictions
The 2016-17 NBA Season is less than a week away and it looks like we are in store for an extremely entertaining season and everybody seems to be making their predictions on who will win what, so I am going to take a swing at this. Here are my predictions for Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 6th Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Most Valuable Player, Biggest Surprise and Biggest Letdown, Winner of the Eastern and Western Conference and the NBA Finals Champion.
Rookie of the Year
One of the biggest stories since Preseason games has begun is the play of Joel Embiid. "The Process" is what he calls himself and he has looked extremely good. If Embiid can stay healthy and do what he has done in the postseason he may just find himself winning Rookie of the Year and helping the 76ers improve a lot this season.
Defensive Player of the Year
I think anybody that thinks Kawhi Leonard will not be in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year is crazy. He is the best all-around defender in the NBA and nobody is really close to catching him. Kawhi Leonard will take home the DPOY Award for the 3rd season in a row.
6th Man of the Year
New head coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies came out and said that Zach Randolph would becoming off the bench and he has immediately been in the 6th Man of the Year award conversation. This move will allow Zach to feast on team's second and possible third strings. If Randolph stays health and plays like he always has, he will snatch the 6th Man of the Year Award
Most Improved Player
Devin Booker has quickly become one of my favorite players to watch. He is the future of the Guard position and he will have a big season for the Phoenix Suns. After averaging 13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and shooting 34% percent from the 3-point arch, Booker is poised to breakout and become a star in the NBA. I predict Booker to average 20 points, 4 assist, 5 rebounds and shoot over 40% from 3 and take home the Most Improved Player award.
Most Valuable Player
To me, this is will go down to two players, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. With Kevin Durant departing to the team that defeated the Thunder in the playoffs, Westbrook is determined to prove he can carry the Thunder now. LeBron James, should have won the MVP last season, proved why he was the most valuable player in the NBA when he brought Cleveland an NBA title. LeBron James will take the MVP by only a few points ahead of Russell Westbrook.
Coach of the Year
Going into his 4th season as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens is poised to continue to push the Celtics to being a dominant threat in the NBA. He is a basketball genius and he continues to get better and better as the years past. He is becoming a top 5 NBA coach and with another big year from the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens will take home the Coach of the Year award.
Biggest Surprise
Going out on a limb and claiming that the Los Angeles Lakers will snag the number 8 seed. With new head coach, Luke Walton, the Lakers have a mix of youth and veteran talent. They may struggle to open up the season but once they get used to Walton's system, the Lakers will click and make a run for the playoffs and will get that number 8 seed.
Biggest Letdown
The biggest letdown will be Chicago Bulls not making the playoffs. Fred Hoiberg seemed to have little control of the team last year and I am not sure what he will do this season. With the additions of Rajon Rondo and Chicago-native, Dwyane Wade, this Bulls team will struggle with figuring out who the leader of the team and they may run Fred Hoiberg out of Chicago.
Western Conference Champion
This is practically a no-brainer in who will win the West. It is a race for 2nd place and the Golden State Warriors are miles ahead of everyone else. Adding Kevin Durant has made them a favorite right off the bat. I do not anybody in the West will be able to compete with the Warriors and they will take care of the West fairly easily.
Eastern Conference Champion
The Cleveland Cavaliers, since LeBron has returned, has been on top of the Eastern Conference. Nobody is going to dethrone the King and his army. The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors may be two teams that will go after Cleveland but Cleveland will be too good to be stopped.
NBA Champion
Going back-to-back. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the kryptonite to the Warriors. After the Warriors went up 3-1 in last years Finals, LeBron, Kryie and company stormed back and won Game 7 in Oracle Arena. The King will reign again for the second straight season when they take down the almight Warriors in 6 games. All Hail King James.