NBA: Guide To The 2018-19 Campaign
Western Standings:
1. Warriors (60-22)
2. Rockets (57-25)
3. Lakers (53-29)
4. Thunder (50-32)
5. Jazz (47-35)
6. Trailblazers (45-37)
7. Spurs (42-40)
8. Pelicans (41-41)
9. Grizzlies (38-44)
10. Nuggets (38-44)
11. Mavericks (37-45)
12. Timberwolves (36-46)
13. Suns (35-47) 14. Clippers (34-48) 15. Kings (27-55)
Review: Once again, the Western Conference looks to be a bloodbath. Look no further than the Portland Trail Blazers, who appear to be prime candidates to fall out of the playoff picture completely despite earning the 3 seed last season. Elsewhere, the Lakers added the best player in the league in LeBron James. Their improving young core will now be under increased scrutiny. Just how far will they go? Meanwhile, the Rockets lost a few key pieces in Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, but countered by signing Carmelo Anthony and Michael Carter-Williams. How much will the deficiencies of those two players hold them back? Obviously, everyone is chasing the Golden State Warriors. All eyes will be on DeMarcus Cousins. Will Boogie be able to regain his All-NBA form when he returns from his Achilles injury? Will the Dubs three-peat? The West looks to be must-watch TV. It'll be fascinating to see just how the West is won.
Eastern Standings:
1. Celtics (58-24)
2. 76ers (58-24)
3. Raptors (55-27)
4. Bucks (49-33)
5. Pacers (47-35)
6. Hornets (44-38)
7. Pistons (41-41)
8. Wizards (40-42)
9. Cavaliers (39-43)
10. Knicks (37-45)
11. Heat (33-49)
12. Magic (31-51)
13. Bulls (25-57)
14. Hawks (25-57)
15. Nets (22-60)
Review: The Eastern Conference looks totally different now that LeBron James has moved into the Western Conference. This opens up the East with new emerging teams looking to make their mark. With the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers being the returning top contenders, the conference is creating other contenders as well. With the addition of Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors are looking to make a run as they do not have to face LeBron in the postseason anymore. Other teams that can potentially become contenders are the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks. Expect Boston, Philly, and Toronto to be the top three seeds, with seven or eight teams fighting for the remaining five slots.
MVP: Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors): There's a long list of players who could win MVP this year, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and many more. We struggled between a couple of players, namely Davis, LeBron, and Leonard. Ultimately we landed on Kawhi as the league MVP because he figures to win the most games out of those three players. Peak Kawhi is a top five NBA player, harassing players into submission on defense and dominating with his footwork on offense. He fits perfectly anywhere in the league and Toronto's spacing will maximize his isolation ability. Expect a monster year from him and the Raptors.
Most Improved: Brandon Ingram (Los Angeles Lakers): With LeBron James playing alongside Brandon Ingram and showing him the nuances of the game, we expect the third year player to take home Most Improved Player award. As a 6’10 wing, Ingram is the prototype for today’s forward who can play both his natural position as well as run point and stretch the floor. We expect Ingram's efficiency to improve substantially by receiving easy looks from James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball. Playing alongside those three figures to improve his offensive numbers across the board. Ingram has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star. This year will be the start of his ascension towards fully unlocking his immense potential.
Coach of the Year:
1. Luke Walton
2. Brad Stevens
3. Nick Nurse
Defensive Player of the Year:
1. Anthony Davis
2. Rudy Gobert
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rookie of the Year:
1. Luka Doncic
2. Kevin Knox
3. DeAndre Ayton
Sixth Man of the Year:
1. Isaiah Thomas
2. Julius Randle
3. Lou Williams
Photo Credit: Sportsnet.
