Basketball

Southwest Division

Standard

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 →

Southeast Division

Standard

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 →

Central Division

Standard

1. Milwaukee Bucks

This is as good a time as any for them to finally punch their ticket to the Finals.

2. Indiana Pacers

They have a solid core to be contenders in the East, but having a new head coach could cause some growing pains.

3. Detroit Pistons

Chances are they will be a bottom seeded team in the playoffs, but is that enough for a once proud franchise?

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

If everything goes right they could be a sneaky good team, but that hinges on the health of Kevin Love and the development of Collin Sexton.

5. Chicago Bulls

An identity needs to be established with a new regime taking over from the front office to the bench. Continue reading →

Atlantic Division

Standard

1. Boston Celtics

It’s Jayson Tatum’s show now. He could be primed for a MVP caliber season in Boston.

2. Brooklyn Nets

We’ll get to see Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving play together with former two-time MVP Steve Nash as the head coach.

3. Toronto Raptors

They don’t have the flashiest roster, but they get the job done with a great coach in Nick Nurse.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

The direction of this teams is in flux with Doc Rivers aboard as the new head coach.

5. New York Knicks

It’ll be another work in progress at Madison Square Garden with Tom Thibodeau as the new head coach. Continue reading →