NBA Finals and Award Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Rookie – G Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves

Coach – Lloyd Pierce – Atlanta Hawks

Defensive Player – C Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat

Most Improved – G Markelle Fultz – Orlando Magic

Sixth Man – F Montrez Harrell – Los Angeles Lakers

Executive – Travis Schlenk – Atlanta Hawks

Playoffs Continue reading →

Pacific Division

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1. Los Angeles Lakers

As long as Anthony Davis stays healthy, they will be championship contenders for many years.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

After the way last season ended the only way to erase that memory is to make it to the Finals and win. Do they have it in them?

3. Phoenix Suns

Adding Chris Paul puts them in the ‘most interesting team to watch’ category in the Western Conference.

4. Golden State Warriors

Not having Klay Thompson does diminish the thought of contending for a title, but if Stephen Curry is healthy this roster has some good complimentary pieces in place.

5. Sacramento Kings

It is clear that De’Aaron Fox is the face of this franchise. Now will the rest of the roster take the next step with him? Continue reading →

Northwest Division

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1. Denver Nuggets

They boast one of the best rosters in the league. There’s no doubt that they are contenders.

2. Portland Trail Blazers

When Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are clicking they are just about unstoppable.

3. Utah Jazz

Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert aren’t going anywhere. That means Utah will continue to be a playoff team.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

Is this going to be Karl-Anthony Towns’ team, D’Angelo Russell’s or Anthony Edwards? All three were top-two picks with Russell being selected #2 by another team.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

With the amount of assets they have, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them become instant contenders sooner rather than later. Continue reading →

Southwest Division

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1. Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic is the real deal and proved it in the short playoff appearance last year. He will be a MVP candidate his entire career.

2. Houston Rockets

Even if James Harden does force his way out, this team has enough talent to be a playoff team. With Harden they should be better obviously.

3. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is a star in the making and will be getting some looks as a possible MVP candidate this year.

4. New Orleans Pelicans

They were close to a playoff spot last year, but it was a good learning experience for the group they’re building around.

5. San Antonio Spurs

The rest of the conference and their division for that matter are passing them by very quickly. Continue reading →