We start off with new coaches. Atlanta took the interim title off of Nate McMillian. We also have new coaches in Boston (Ime Udoka), Dallas (Jason Kidd), Indiana (Rick Carlisle), New Orleans (Willie Green), Orlando (Jamahl Mosley), Portland (Chauncey Billups), and Washington (Wes Unseld Jr.). We also saw quite a bit of bigtme player movement in the offseason. The biggest names moved saw Kyle Lowery go to Miami, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago, while the Clippers brought back Kawhi and Chris Paul returned to Phoenix.
So with that being said, here's how the season goes down.
Western Conference:
Northwest Division:
1. Utah Jazz (50-32)*
2. Denver Nuggets (48-34)*
3. Portland Trail Blazers (45-37)*
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-52)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-57)
With Bojan and Mitchell leading the way, it going to be really tough to knock the Jazz off top of the mountain. Utah is just too balanced and deep for anybody to take the division title. The Nuggets could be the lone team in this division to put up a fight. Denver is the closest team to challenge to Utah, with Green, Gordon and Jokic having solid seasons. Then there's the Trail Blazers, who have talent with Lillard, McCollum and Nace, they will be in the thick of things.
Pacific Division:
1. Phoenix Suns (54-28)*
2. Los Angeles Lakers (49-33)*
3. Los Angeles Clippers (48-24)*
4. Golden State Warriors (47-25)*
5. Sacramento Kings (37-45)
The Suns may have the best team in this division and entire conference. This team is loaded with Paul, Booker and Ayton running things, they are going to be very, very tough to beat this year. After last year's quick playoff exit, the Lakers are going to look to rebound and advance into spring ball once again. Anytime you add Carmlo to LeBron and AD and Westbrook and Rondo, you got the talent. Now lets see how well it can gel. Then there's the Clippers, who once healthy can make a lot of noise up top in this division. Kawhi, Ibaka and Paul George are going to make the big plays when needed. The Warriors get both the Splash Brothers back and healthy this season. Otto Porter and Andrew Wiggins add another element to this team, and its enough to get this job done.
Southwest Division:
1. Dallas Mavericks (49-33)*
2. Memphis Grizzlies (40-42)
3. New Orleans Pelicans (38-44)
4. San Antonio Spurs (33-49)
5. Houston Rockets (22-60)
No doubt in anybody's mind that his is the weakest division in the West. The Mavericks are the only team that's going to be playing postseason basketball. Doncic leads a good core in Dallas, along with KP and Reggie Bullock. This team is going to be good. Only one other team is going to win 40 or more games from this division and the Grizzlies have the best chances at it. Ja Morant has a lot of talent and will be the one carrying this team. Then there's the Pelicans, who will be lucky to win 38 if that this year. Zion will be growing more into his role as face of this team this year.
Eastern Conference:
Atlantic Division:
1. Brooklyn Nets (59-23)*
2. Philadelphia 76ers (48-34)*
3. New York Knicks (46-36)*
4. Boston Celtics (43-39)*
5. Toronto Raptors (40-42)
It easy to see that, even with one of its stars missing, the Nets are still the top team in this division. For personal reasons, Kyrie won't be here at the start of the year. Brooklyn still has Harden and Durant leading a loaded club. They are deep and they are good. Next closest challenger are going to be the 76ers. Andre Drummond was brought on to help out Embiid as the star on this team. Philadelphia has Harris in the mix as well, which makes them a solid club. Right behind them are the Knicks, who are hitting their stride quickly as a good team. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are going to be the key cogs in this New York offense. Quigley is going to be a factor this year too. Then there the Celtics, who even at 43 wins will be outside looking in. They have talent on this Boston team with Parker (if he can stay healthy), Horford and Kanter. But it won't be enough with how top heavy this division is.
Central Division:
1. Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)*
2. Indiana Pacers (41-41)*
3. Chicago Bulls (40-42)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-52)
5. Detroit Pistons (26-56)
The defending champion Bucks look like they going to be heavy favorites coming out again this year. Both of the Antetokounmpo brothers are going to be leading this team, Giannis at the top. Throw Hill, Holiday, and Middleton into the mix as well and its looking good for Milwaukee to make another solid run. The only team in this division who could be a .500 or better team is the Pacers. LaVert and Turner are going to be the key factors into this Indiana lineup and help carry them to the .500 mark. Then there's the Bulls, who have some young talent to work with. Lonzo and DeRozan are now in the mix to power this Chicago offense, with Zach LeVin there as well. it's still a build up but the blocks are in place.
Southwest Division:
1. Atlanta Hawks (53-29)*
2, Miami Heat (49-33)*
3. Charlotte Hornets (37-45)
4. Washington Wizards (37-45)
5. Orlando Magic (27-55)
After a conference finals appearance last season, the Hawks look to get back there. And what's stopping there, the core from that team is still in tact. Capela, Bogdanovic, and Okafor are leading the charge on a very good team. Atlanta pulling off a 50 plus win season look like a strong possibility. Then we have the Heat, who are coming off a sweep in the first round last year. Lowery, Butler and Tucker are going to be the ones leading the charge in Miami this year. They are going to be the only team that not only make the playoffs but have a winning reacord in this division.
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