Eastern Conference:
1. Milwaukee
2. Philadelphia
3.
4. Cleveland
5. Miami
6. Toronto
7. Brooklyn
8. Atlanta
9. Chicago
10. Orlando
11. Detroit
12. Washington
13. New York
14. Charlotte
15. Indiana
Playoffs:
· (play-ins): Brooklyn over Atlanta; Orlando over Chicago; Atlanta over Orlando
· Milwaukee over Atlanta, Philadelphia over Brooklyn, Toronto over Boston, Cleveland over Miami
· Milwaukee over Cleveland, Philadelphia over Toronto
· Milwaukee over Philadelphia
Western Conference:
1.
2.
3. Phoenix
4. Dallas
5. Memphis
6. Minnesota
7. LA Clippers
8. New Orleans
9. Sacramento
10. LA Lakers
11. Portland
12. Houston
13. Oklahoma City
14. San Antonio
15. Utah
Playoffs:
· (play-ins): New Orleans over LA Clippers; Sacramento over LA Lakers; Sacramento over LA Clippers
· Denver over Sacramento; Golden State over New Orleans; Minnesota over Phoenix; Memphis over Dallas
· Denver over Memphis; Golden State over Minnesota
· Denver over Golden State
More notes:
· The East has six legitimate threats to come out of the conference, and Indiana is the only team that is likely to be tanking. I think Boston has too much chaos, and Milwaukee still has both the best player in the East and a deep roster.
· The West might be even more chaotic. At one point I had the Clippers as a top 2 team in the conference, which indicates how volatile the conference is. I also have zero faith in the two Los Angeles teams staying healthy enough to be serious threats. Golden State is the smart team, but I think they might lose just enough from playing so many games last year that someone will take the crown... and if Murray and Porter can get back to 80%, Denver could be awesome.
· There are multiple players that look like they could be franchise-level stars in the draft. Which means teams are going to tank. Utah, San Antonio, and Indiana are already tanking. And there's another 8 teams that if they start slow may blow up the team and try for Wembeyana
· MVP? Jokic has won twice in a row, so it's nearly impossible to win again. Maybe Giannis- but I think this is Luka's to lose.
· ROY? I've got Orlando making the play-in game... I'll go with Paolo
· Finals? Two teams desperate to overcome their past. Denver is deep... but Milwaukee has Giannis. The Greek Freak wins his first title, 4 games to 2
(NOTE: I had this exact prediction a few years ago... I'll go with it again)
