Also this season will see some international exposure for the game. The Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves will play at the Mexico City Arena on November 12, 2014, while the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks will play at The O2 Arena in London on January 15, 2015. While all this is going on, there have been some new faces moving into new places, while others go in with new deals in their pockets. During the summer, we saw Carmelo restructure his deal with the Knicks, Lebron leave Miami and head home to Cleveland, while Wade and Bosh re-did their deals with the Heat, and Pau Gasol joined the Bulls, Paul Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards for a two year, $11 million contract, amongst other moves.
So with all this being said and done during the offseason, here's how I see things playing out during the course of the NBA season.
Western Conference:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder*
I know this may come as a surprise, considering the fact that the team will be without Kevin Durant for the start of the season, and Russell Westbrook is going to have to carry the load without KD. It's going to be a hard thing to do, but it should be doable with the likes of Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Andre Roberson and Perry Jones, the probable starter for Durant. It's going to be a workload without the best player in the game outside of LeBron, but it should be solid if the rest of the team steps their game up. There's plenty of talent for the Thunder to stay afloat until its main man returns, taking off once he comes back.
2. San Antonio Spurs*
The defending Champions didn't get hit at all during the summer with free agency. Here's a team that has never won back to back championships, and until last season, never made it to back to back finals. If they want to have a chance to reach the finals for a 3rd straight season, besides going through the Thunder and Clippers, small forward Kawhi Leonard must sustain the high level he showed while earning the MVP award in the 2014 Finals.
3. Los Angeles Clippers*
New owner Steve Ballmer is going to have a fun bunch to watch on the court this season. They actually may be the team that really challenges the Spurs and Thunder more than anybody else in the West this season. I know this is the exact same spot they finished in a season ago, but with the Spurs age and the injury to Durant, the Clippers may shock some people and move up higher than I have them pegged. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to carry the Clippers, which is something all three guys are used to at this stage of their careers. JJ Reddick will fit in nicely at shooting guard, but small forward may be a tad bit of a concern. Matt Barnes is pegged to start, but don't be surprised if Rivers uses guard Jamal Crawford, at small forward, especially at the end of games.
4. Golden State Warriors*
This is a team that can make some big noise out west this season, What helps keep this team in contention every night? Easy, the Splash Brothers: guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Those two guys are what make that motor go in California. But, if the Warriors are to reach greater heights this season, 7-foot center Andrew Bogut must stay healthy. If he can stay healthy and the Splash brothers do there thing, along with the contributions from the likes of David Lee, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, Golden State is going to be a threat in the West.
5. Houston Rockets*
This is a team that last year turned a few heads in not only making the playoffs, but giving the Spurs a bit of a run at the top of the division. But with both Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons gone, it may be a little tougher on the Rockets this season. Sure, Houston has two of the NBA's best players in Dwight Howard and James Harden, but that may not be enough for this team to win a championship. Newcomer Trevor Ariza is a skilled two-way player, but he's not a better offensive threat than the departed Parsons. Also, Houston had trouble playing defense last season, giving up 103.1 points per game, 23rd in the league. That's going to hurt them in the top loaded Western Conference.
6. Dallas Mavericks*
Last season, Dallas got into the playoffs by a single victory over a hard charging Phoenix Suns team. This offseason, the Mavericks did a lot to help build the team around franchise player Dirk Nowitzki. Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson, Chandler Parsons, Richard Jefferson and Al-Farouq Aminu were all brought on board to make the Mavs a better team. Tyson Chandler has had a good run with this team, as he was the center on the 2001 championship team, and will add a solid defensive presence. The only question mark is Parsons. We know he can handle the basketball, but he needs to show that he really is worth the three-year, $46-million deal he signed.
7. Memphis Grizzles*
Last season, Memphis won 50 games and then pushed the Thunder to seven games in their opening round series. This year they might be able to do that again, if not better in the playoffs. What makes me say this? Well, perhaps the Grizzles may be one of the most physical team in the NBA. When you have big guys like 7-1 center Marc Gasol and 6-9 forward Zach Randolph, it makes it very tough on any opponent. With talented point guard Mike Conley, and a defense that ranked third in the NBA for fewest points (94.6) allowed last season, they are a tough matchup for any team.
8. Portland Trail Blazers*
This right here goes to show you how tough the West is going to be this season. A year ago the Trail Blazers finished 5th in the Western Conference. This year, they are still going to see the post season, but won't be as lucky as last year. There is still plenty of talent on the team, being lead by forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard. Portland also have solid role players in small forward Nicolas Batum and guard Wesley Matthews, both of whom are good defenders and offensive threats. The key for Portland is getting solid bench production out of Kaman, Will Barton, C.J. McCollum and Blake. With as good as Dallas and Houston have gotten over the summer, Portland gets knocked down a few pegs.
9. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have a rising star in power forward Anthony Davis, who played a pivotal role in helping Team USA win the gold medal at the FIBA World Cup last month. With Davis, Omir Asik and Ryan Anderson, who played in only 22 games last season because of a neck injury, the Pelicans could have one of the better big-man rotations in the NBA. This is a team that has talent but not enough to crack the top 8. They will finish the year close to .500.
10. Phoenix Suns
With some of the teams in the Western Conference being big and physical, the Suns are going to have a bit of trouble. Phoenix may have one of the smallest back courts in the entire league, with starters Eric Bledsoe (6-1) and Goran Dragic (6-3), plus reserves Isaiah Thomas (5-9) and Tyler Ennis (6-2). What this team lacks in height, they make up for in speed. Speed kills and Phoenix is going to have a solid season, but again with the loadest west it won't be enough.
11. Denver Nuggets
12. Sacramento Kings
13. Los Angeles Lakers
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Utah Jazz
That's just the Western Conference. We still have one more Conference to get to.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls*
It's basically going to be a fight for the top spot in the East between Chicago and Cleveland. Chicago now has a healthy, they hope, Derrick Rose and brought in Pau Gasol for a presence in the middle and to help take pressure off Rose. Throw in some of the guys in the supporting cast like defensive star Joakim Noah and super sub Taj Gibson, the Bulls are one of the favorites, heavy favorites no less, to come out of the East. If you want Rose and Gasol to play the way they are expected to play, then rookie Doug McDermott and starter Mike Dunleavy have to make outside shots to open up the court for Rose and Gasol. Still this Bulls team is deep and are gonna be top dog in the Conference.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers*
Here's a team that pulled a total 180 from last season. Last year, they won 33 games and missed the playoffs. Its amazing what can happen when some new lifeblood is injected into the system. LeBron comes back home to play for the Cavs, to go along with bringing in Kevin Love. Those two guys and Kyrie Irving will become the NBA's latest version of the Big Three. Those three will be asked to lead a young, talented club that has shooting guard Dion Waiters, center Anderson Varejao, key reserve big man Tristan Thompson and the rest of the Cavs. Cleveland has rookie coach David Blatt leading the bunch, but he was very successful coaching in Israel, Greece, Russia and Turkey. And now he has James to help out. This is going to be a very good club.
3. Washington Wizards*
This team finished 5th a season ago and went into the 2nd round of the playoffs, before falling to the Pacers. Now this team is going to have its fate in its own hands. They have one of, if not the best backcourts in all of Basketball with point guard John Wall, and shooting guard Bradley Beal. It's going to be tough on the Wizards with Beal missing six to eight weeks after having wrist surgery. That will put a bit of a damper on the Wizards to start the year. There is still plenty of talent here though to put Washington in the hunt, with Nene and center Marcin Gortat as a nice duo down low. Now it'll be interesting to see how much Paul Pierce, 37, can contribute in the frontcourt.
4. Miami Heat*
LeBron James, Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Michael Beasley, James Jones, Rashard Lewis and Greg Oden all decided to skip town and get out of Miami. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh didn't leave, they decided to hang around and stay put. They reloaded with the likes of Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger, Shannon Brown and Shabazz Napier. But, if the Heat want to stay relavent in the East this season, Bosh has to produce more than the 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds he provided last season. Wade is 32, and it's totally up in the air as to whether or not his balky knees can match the 54 games he played last season. And Deng has the big task of replacing James at small forward. This team can still be good, but its a question mark.
5. Toronto Raptors*
This team is coming off their division title from last year, a club that's looking to be a force again in the East. Toronto is a club that has enough talent, depth and athletes to make some noise in the East. DeMar DeRozan is coming off a career year last year, point guard Kyle Lowry now has a new four year deal in his back pocket thanks to the career year of his own and center Jonas Valanciunas, who's only 22, averaged 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds last season and will be a contributing factor. This team may still be a force yet in the East.
6. Charlotte Hornets*
Coming off a 43 win season and playoff appearance a season ago, the revamped Hornets are going to try and build off last seasons success. Most of last years club is still in tact, being lead by Al Jefferson, who is coming off a monster year, averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. Point guard Kemba Walker is a handful to defend against, going along with guys like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams. Now you can also Lance Stevenson into this mix. Lance brings plenty of talent that will help the Hornets on both sides of the ball.
7. Brooklyn Nets*
This one is a bit of a stretch, but with how weak the Eastern Conference is as a whole, it wouldn't really surprise me. The team wanted to try and improve there defense from a season ago, bringing in new coach Lionel Hollins, who's a pretty talented coach in his own right. Hollins guided Memphis to the Western Conference finals in 2013 before he was fired, so you know, for the most part, he has the talent to be able to lead this ship. If Brooklyn really wants to sustain any success this season, Deron Williams has stay healthy after surgery on both ankles. Center Brook Lopez returns after playing in just 17 games last season and really needs to stay healthy and on the court. Plus there's 38 year old Kevin Garnett, returning for another season and guard Joe Johnson is back to provide offense.
8. New York Knicks*
There's a lot on the line for the Orange and Blue for this season. It's the first full season of Phil Jackson as president of basketball operations and Carmelo Anthony back in the fold. New Coach Derek Fisher has a lot on his plate, being asked to lead the team back into the post season, which is going to be a very tough task. Amar'e Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jose Calderon need to be productive scorers, but they also have to learn the triangle offense. Still they might be good enough to just squeak into the final playoff spot.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Last year, they squeaked into the playoffs just ahead of the Knicks. Former All-Star center Al Horford is back after playing in just 29 games last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. Forward Paul Millsap made his first All-Star team, point guard Jeff Teague has improved and shooting guard Kyle Korver is one of the best shooters in the NBA. There is plenty of talent to keep this Hawks team in the hunt most of the year, but at the end of the day they fall just short of the goal of making the playoffs.
10. Indiana Pacers
This is a club that has been a real dominate force in the Eastern Conference over the past couple of seasons, but they will fall off the grid this year. After getting bounced by the Heat in last years playoffs, thew news kept getting worse for the Pacers, as Lance Stephenson (Charlotte) and Paul George (injury) are both gone from the club for the year. Center Roy Hibbert is going to be relied on heavily, really has to return to All-Star form. Another worry is the offense: The Pacers averaged 96.7 points per game last season, seventh-worst in the NBA. The Pacers are going to slip out of the playoffs this season.
11. Detroit Pistons
12. Orlando Magic
13. Boston Celtics
14. Milwaukee Bucks
15. Philadelphia 76ers
So there you have it the predictions for the 2014-15 NBA Season!
(Authors Note: All predictions were made BEFORE the start of the NBA season and thanks go to the Los Angeles Times for provided some stats and information to this article)
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