NBA: Preparation for 2016-17 Campaign
After a thrilling 2015-16 campaign that saw the Golden State Warriors win the most regular season games in history, Stephen Curry become the first unanimous league MVP, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett play their final games, and Lebron James bring a championship to his hometown Cavaliers, we are ready to kick off the 2016-17 season, and here are some of my predictions:
MVP: Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)
Westbrook is now the man in Oklahoma City after Kevin Durant's departure, and he will take full advantage of the green light. He had a monumental year last season (23.5 points, 10.4 assists, 7.8 rebounds per game) en route to finishing fourth in the MVP race. Westbrook still has weapons around him in Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams, but I would expect a slight drop in assists, but an increase in scoring. I think Westbrook knows he will have to carry this team on his back and will do so, winning his first Most Valuable Player.
Honorable Mentions: Lebron James (Cleveland SF), Stephen Curry (Golden State PG).
Rookie of the Year: Kris Dunn (Minnesota PG)
Dunn was widely regarded as one of the top collegiate players coming into last season (16.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game) and he did not disappoint, taking his Providence team to the Round of 32. Dunn was drafted fourth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and should fit in perfectly alongside Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Plus, Dunn is partially known for his quick hands and dominant defense, which will only be escalated by coach Tom Thibodeau.
Honorable Mentions: Joel Embiid (Sixers PF), Marquese Chriss (Suns PF).
Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau (Minnesota HC)
Continuing on with the Timberwolves, I think Thibodeau will earn the 2016-17 Coach of the Year honors. He saw great success in Chicago, even with his best player Derrick Rose being sidelined for much of his tenure. It is not going to be an easy job turning Minnesota around, but I think Thibodeau is up for the task. The Timberwolves will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04, when they went to the Western Conference Finals.
Honorable Mentions: Steve Kerr (Golden State HC), Quin Snyder (Jazz HC).
Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio SF)
Leonard had a breakout season last year (21.2 points, 5.5 defensive rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game) and will continue his rise to stardom this upcoming season. Leonard is in consensus, one of the best overall defenders in the game, and the best on-ball perimeter defender. He will win his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award, and become just the second player to do so (Dwight Howard: 2009-2011.
Honorable Mentions: Lebron James (Cavaliers SF), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG).
Eastern Conference Standings:
1. Cleveland (60-22)
2. Boston (54-28)
3. Indiana (51-31)
4. Toronto (50-32)
5. Atlanta (48-34)
6. Detroit (45-37)
7. Washington (43-39)
8. Chicago (42-40)
9. Charlotte (41-41)
10. Miami (34-48)
11. New York (34-48)
12. Orlando (30-52)
13. Milwaukee (24-58)
14. Philadelphia (20-62)
15. Brooklyn (11-71)
Western Conference Standings:
1. Golden State (69-13)
2. Clippers (57-25)
3. San Antonio (53-29)
4. Houston (49-33)
5. Memphis (45-37)
6. Oklahoma City (43-49)
7. Utah (43-39)
8. Minnesota (42-40)
9. Portland (41-41)
10. Dallas (39-43)
11. New Orleans (36-46)
12. Lakers (30-52)
13. Sacramento (23-59)
14. Phoenix (21-61)
15. Denver (19-63)
Season Round-Up: The Cavaliers, Celtics, Pacers, Raptors, Hawks, and Pistons will return to the playoffs, as the Bulls and Wizards clinch a playoff berth after a one-year hiatus. On the Western Conference side of things; the normal top-tier teams will be there in the Warriors, Spurs, and Clippers, but one will be missing as the Thunder slip to the eighth seed. Memphis and Houston find themselves playing into May, per usual, as the Jazz and Timberwolves sneak into the back half of the postseason.
The Warriors are the clear favorites to win the title and I expect them to, boasting superstars such as Curry, Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. However, they will not break their 73-9 record from last year. It is going to take a few weeks for this team to completely gel and they do not have the hunger for the record that they did last year, instead; the Warriors have that drive for another ring. They will meet the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for the third straight season, taking down James and Co., similarly to 2014-15.
One prediction that is undefeated is that the NBA season is always a wild, up-and-down, roller coaster, that somehow knocks you down and pulls you in continuously throughout the eight-month period. Here's to a memorable 2016-17 NBA campaign.
Photo Credit: USAToday.com.
