NBA: 2017-18 Season Projections
Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (55-27)
2. Washington Wizards (52-30)
3. Boston Celtics (51-31)
4. Toronto Raptors (49-33)
5. Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (43-39)
7. Miami Heat (42-40)
8. Detroit Pistons (42-40)
9. Charlotte Hornets (42-40)
10. Atlanta Hawks (31-51)
11. Indiana Pacers (30-52)
12. New York Knicks (28-54)
13. Orlando Magic (27-55)
14. Brooklyn Nets (24-58)
15. Chicago Bulls (19-63)
What We Expect: All four of our writers had the Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks reaching the playoffs, but the other three spots varied. The Philadelphia 76ers (75 percent) and Detroit Pistons (75 percent) received three-out-of-four votes, while the Miami Heat (50 percent) appeared in half of our predictions. Other teams that were near the eighth seed were the Charlotte Hornets (25 percent) and Atlanta Hawks (25 percent). The Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls were given a slim chance of reaching the postseason, but the Nets' peak was finishing in ninth place.
Western Conference:
1. Golden State Warriors (67-15)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27)
3. Houston Rockets (55-27)
4. San Antonio Spurs (53-29)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (48-34)
6. Portland Trailblazers (45-37)
7. Los Angeles Clippers (43-39)
8. Denver Nuggets (41-41)
9. New Orleans Pelicans (40-42)
10. Utah Jazz (40-42)
11. Los Angeles Lakers (37-45)
12. Memphis Grizzlies (36-46)
13. Dallas Mavericks (34-48)
14. Sacramento Kings (32-50)
15. Phoenix Suns (25-57)
What We Expect: The Golden State Warriors were far and above the most prolific team, averaging a 67-15 record, 12 more victories than any other team in the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves also appeared in each of our four projections, alongside the Warriors. After that, there were five teams that competed for the final three spots: The Portland Trailblazers (75 percent), Los Angeles Clippers (75 percent), and Denver Nuggets (50 percent) just barely got in over the New Orleans Pelicans (50 percent) and Utah Jazz (25 percent).
MVP: Kevin Durant (50 percent) and Lebron James (50 percent) split the voting half and half, after the two met in the NBA Finals last year, and according to most, they were the two best players in the world. Durant won the 2014 MVP and the 2017 Finals MVP, while James has four MVPs to his name. K.D. averaged 25.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last year, to King James' 26.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.6 boards per game. There teams are expected to go 67-15 and 55-27, respectively, possibly meeting for a fourth straight NBA Finals
Rookie of the Year: Lonzo Ball (40 percent) and Ben Simmons (40 percent) led the way for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. Dennis Smith Jr. (20 percent) of the Dallas Mavericks also received a nod. Ball was 2017's No. 2 pick, and he averaged 14.6 points and 7.6 assists at UCLA. Simmons was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, but he missed all of last season with an injury. However, at LSU he put up 19.2 points and 11.8 rebounds a night. Smith Jr. was selected with the No. 9 pick in the most recent draft.
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr (50 percent) seems to be healthy again, and is ready for another run at the title. After reaching the NBA Finals in three consecutive years, the Golden State Warriors are primed for another berth. Kerr's crew is projected to go 67-15, but one writer has them reaching the 70-win plateau. Tom Thibodeau (25 percent) and the Minnesota Timberwolves missed the playoffs last year, but after adding Jeff Teague and Jimmy Butler, each of us had them reaching the postseason, averaging a 48-34 clip. Brad Stevens (25 percent) was also picked, as the Boston Celtics are projected to go 51-31. Stevens' team added All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward over the summer.
Bold Predictions:
Jibreel O'Bannon: The Nets will compete for a playoff spot.
Charles Post: The Nuggets will get back to the postseason.
Chase Zayac: The Pistons will reach the second round.
Chinedum Wejinya: The Thunder reach the conference finals.
Biggest Disappointments(s):
Jibreel O'Bannon: Lonzo Ball won't live up to the manufactured and natural hype.
Charles Post: Davis and Cousins won't get the Pelicans to the playoffs.
Chase Zayac: The Spurs will see a downfall because of old age.
Chinedum Wejinya: The Celtics won't reach the conference finals.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
