* – 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
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
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
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
1. Miami Heat
The rest of the conference took notes from their run to the Finals last season. That doesn’t mean Miami won’t be able to replicate it.
2. Atlanta Hawks
Their roster rebuild is starting to take shape and it could result in a surprise playoff appearance.
3. Orlando Magic
Losing Jonathan Isaac will be a tough pill to swallow. If Markelle Fultz continues to improve they could move up in the standings.
4. Charlotte Hornets
They missed out on Gordon Hayward when he was a restricted free-agent. Now that they got him this last offseason will he be worth the wait?
5. Washington Wizards
As first John Wall wasn’t going to be traded. Then he was just as training camp got under way. I don’t see Russell Westbrook or Bradley Beal staying long-term. Continue reading
