NBA Predictions
2014-2015
10-2-14
The season begins October 28th.
10-2-14
The season begins October 28th.
I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't excited. Last season I predicted a Miami Heat Three-peat. I was wrong, and I apologize for not giving the Spurs more respect. They were definitely the best team last season, and they're the favorites to repeat. But before we talk about who I expect to be hanging out with Larry's trophy, let's predict the standings!
Last seasons predictions - I was 5/8 on predicting the Eastern Conference playoff picture. West? I was 7/8. 12/16 overall, so 75%. Not bad, but not good.
This season? I'm hoping 16/16, but only time will tell!
Here we go though:
EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS -
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers could exceed expectations, and compete for the title of Greatest of All Time. They have one of the greatest players ever, the best PF in the league, and a PG who is on pace to be historically great in his own right. The rest of the pieces? They'll do just fine. LeBron ALWAYS makes the other players around him better, and it won't stop now.
Worst Case Scenario? The Cavaliers take a while to mesh, and it results in a lower seed than what most expected, which means the #2 seed. Unless LeBron gets injured, and then it's over, and the NBA would not be worth watching.
Predicted Record - 65-17.
2. Chicago Bulls
If Derrick Rose stays healthy, the Bulls will compete for the #1 seed. They also should be the standard for Defense, with Joakim Noah being the anchor. This team has all the tools to win it all, but truthfully, I think injuries will plaque them at some point. Derrick Rose has played just 49 games the past three seasons, out of 246, so just over 20%. For that reason, I do not see him playing the whole season, and without Rose, this Bulls team is just another team competing for the playoffs. Loved the pick up of Pau Gasol though.
Predicted Record - 53-29.
3. Atlanta Hawks
I realize that any predictions made at this point are clearly skeptical, so I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta was instead the 8th seed, but let's look at this team. Last season, they finished 8th and gave the Indiana Pacers a run for their money in the playoffs. That was without their best player, the oft injured Al Horford. I think he should remain healthy, at least for the most season, and with him, this team becomes pretty competitive. I don't expect them to do much in the playoffs, or at least not be in the running for Eastern Conference Champions, but a good regular season is expected.
Predicted Record - 49-33.
4. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors surprised a lot of people last season as they won their division and took the third seed in the Eastern Conference. I see a lot of the same from them this season, with a very similar team. I don't expect them to make much of a run in the playoffs though. I will say this though, their home fans for the playoffs rule, and the more we get to see of that crowd, the better!
Predicted Record - 48-34.
5. Washington Wizards
With John Wall, Nene, Bradley Beal and the newest addition, Paul Pierce, I expect the Wiz Kids to compete, but I'm not sold on them. I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish as high as #2, but we'll just have to see. Good defense, but I'm sure about the offense.
Predicted Record - 46-36.
6. Miami Heat
Well this is different for the Heat. Everyone is saying the Heat are on the way out, but not so fast. I'm sure D-Wade will miss some time this season, and they'll have stretches where the offense will struggle to score, but now that LeBron is gone, they can go back to a more balanced style of basketball, and they have Chris Bosh, who I believe is still a top 10 talent in this league. There is a reason why Houston was willing to give this guy the max deal. When they get to the playoffs, I expect them to do very well.
Predicted Record - 46-36.
7. Charlotte Hornets
Added Lance Stephenson, but I'm not sure how much better that makes them. Expect him to work his butt off though, and a more exciting team.
Predicted Record - 45-37.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Not a huge fan of the team in Brooklyn. B. Lopez is a great player, when healthy, and Deron Williams is a shell of himself. Don't expect much from them.
Predicted Record - 44-38.
Lottery Teams -
9. Indiana Pacers
If the Pacers are smart, they'll miss the playoffs, get a good lottery player, and team him with Paul George for next season. Vogel is a good coach though, and so he'll probably find a way to get this team back to the playoffs and keep them competitive. Shame though. Also, based on how the season goes, don't be surprised to see Vogel fired.
Predicted Record - 42-40.
10. Detroit Pistons
I want them in the Playoffs, and I love Stan van Gundy, but I don't like the team he was handed. Love Drummond though!
Predicted Record - 40-42.
11. New York Knicks
You want me to pick the Knicks as a playoff team? With a first year coach and one good player? Carmelo is one of the best players in the league, top three in pure scoring, but I don't like the players around him. Watch Carmelo lead the league in games with at least 30 points, and also lead the league in games lost when he scores 30 or more.
Predicted Record - 38-44.
12. Boston Celtics
Poor Brad Stevens. The man is an excellent coach, but he has a very weak team. Hopefully Rondo will not be a distraction going forward.
Predicted Record - 32-50.
13. Orlando Magic
I got nothing on these guys. They have a young team, and they'll make the playoffs soon enough, but not yet.
Predicted Record - 28-54.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
Now presenting, Jabarii Parker!
Predicted Record - 24-58.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
The lottery Sixers are building a team for the future. They'll be losing a lot this season, but they should be very entertaining!
Predicted Record - 20-62.
Predicted Record - 53-29.
3. Atlanta Hawks
I realize that any predictions made at this point are clearly skeptical, so I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta was instead the 8th seed, but let's look at this team. Last season, they finished 8th and gave the Indiana Pacers a run for their money in the playoffs. That was without their best player, the oft injured Al Horford. I think he should remain healthy, at least for the most season, and with him, this team becomes pretty competitive. I don't expect them to do much in the playoffs, or at least not be in the running for Eastern Conference Champions, but a good regular season is expected.
Predicted Record - 49-33.
4. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors surprised a lot of people last season as they won their division and took the third seed in the Eastern Conference. I see a lot of the same from them this season, with a very similar team. I don't expect them to make much of a run in the playoffs though. I will say this though, their home fans for the playoffs rule, and the more we get to see of that crowd, the better!
Predicted Record - 48-34.
5. Washington Wizards
With John Wall, Nene, Bradley Beal and the newest addition, Paul Pierce, I expect the Wiz Kids to compete, but I'm not sold on them. I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish as high as #2, but we'll just have to see. Good defense, but I'm sure about the offense.
Predicted Record - 46-36.
6. Miami Heat
Well this is different for the Heat. Everyone is saying the Heat are on the way out, but not so fast. I'm sure D-Wade will miss some time this season, and they'll have stretches where the offense will struggle to score, but now that LeBron is gone, they can go back to a more balanced style of basketball, and they have Chris Bosh, who I believe is still a top 10 talent in this league. There is a reason why Houston was willing to give this guy the max deal. When they get to the playoffs, I expect them to do very well.
Predicted Record - 46-36.
7. Charlotte Hornets
Added Lance Stephenson, but I'm not sure how much better that makes them. Expect him to work his butt off though, and a more exciting team.
Predicted Record - 45-37.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Not a huge fan of the team in Brooklyn. B. Lopez is a great player, when healthy, and Deron Williams is a shell of himself. Don't expect much from them.
Predicted Record - 44-38.
Lottery Teams -
9. Indiana Pacers
If the Pacers are smart, they'll miss the playoffs, get a good lottery player, and team him with Paul George for next season. Vogel is a good coach though, and so he'll probably find a way to get this team back to the playoffs and keep them competitive. Shame though. Also, based on how the season goes, don't be surprised to see Vogel fired.
Predicted Record - 42-40.
10. Detroit Pistons
I want them in the Playoffs, and I love Stan van Gundy, but I don't like the team he was handed. Love Drummond though!
Predicted Record - 40-42.
11. New York Knicks
You want me to pick the Knicks as a playoff team? With a first year coach and one good player? Carmelo is one of the best players in the league, top three in pure scoring, but I don't like the players around him. Watch Carmelo lead the league in games with at least 30 points, and also lead the league in games lost when he scores 30 or more.
Predicted Record - 38-44.
12. Boston Celtics
Poor Brad Stevens. The man is an excellent coach, but he has a very weak team. Hopefully Rondo will not be a distraction going forward.
Predicted Record - 32-50.
13. Orlando Magic
I got nothing on these guys. They have a young team, and they'll make the playoffs soon enough, but not yet.
Predicted Record - 28-54.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
Now presenting, Jabarii Parker!
Predicted Record - 24-58.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
The lottery Sixers are building a team for the future. They'll be losing a lot this season, but they should be very entertaining!
Predicted Record - 20-62.
