2020-21 NBA Preview

Does it feel like everything’s being condensed into this end of 2020? Like for the near decade it’s lasted, a lot of monumental things happened but there’s so much still going on everywhere, it’s like the year just won’t stop. Yet there’s good news on the horizon and better days ahead. I’d hope to think the whole world’s in this together. Had to get that off my chest as we near the end of this weirdest year of our lives. And although it’s definitely not the same, at least we have some music and sports and entertainment to help cope and I’m grateful for the solace those can provide. Also, Happy Christmas and Holidays and Whatever!

An additional gift for NBA fans this Holiday season was the start of the 2020-21 NBA season this week. It’s a shortened 72 game season that ends on May 16th. There’s then a play-in tournament between the 7th and 10th seeds in each conference to determine the 7th and 8th spots in the playoffs between May18-May 21. (if you’re interested: The 7th place team will play the 8th place team, with the winner earning the 7-seed. The 9th place team will play the 10th place team with the loser of that game being eliminated. The 7th-8th loser will then play the 9th-10th winner, with the winner of that game earning the 8-seed and the loser being eliminated)

The tentative schedule for the playoffs runs May 22nd-July 22nd. In between now and then will be a whirlwind of basketball in an unprecedented time. There will be no bubble although there are more back to back games among teams in an effort to reduce travel. There are also strict measures and protocols for Covid violations but these could be ever changing as new information and guidelines are put forth as more and more people receive the vaccine. Not stating anything new here but there’s a lot of things we don’t know. Here’s what I can tell you about the upcoming season and my thoughts on it.

First a quick preview of the Christmas Day games:

New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat -- 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)

How many years before we start speculating that Miami is targeting Zion?

Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks -- 2:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

It would be great to end the year watching Steph Curry shooting the lights out. A back to normalcy event.

Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics -- 5 p.m. ET (ABC)

Kyrie returns to Boston. Let me get my sage and horoscopes ready. This is the great Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction I’m talkin’ bout.

Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers -- 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

The student and the master. The NBA would love for a torch passing scene between LeBron and Luka. Just looks like LeBron isn’t trying to do that anytime soon.

Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets -- 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Clippers can seek revenge here but there’s no way to erase the shame of losing a 3-1 series lead. Just ask the Warriors.

2020-21 NBA Predictions

Eastern Conference

Fade for Cade - These teams are gonna be in the lottery mix to get a chance at probable number 1 pick Cade Cunningham (6’8 G - Oklahoma State).

15. Charlotte Hornets - The Hornets found a star attraction in LaMelo Ball who’ll impress on Sportscenter but the Hornets aren’t going anywhere soon and down the standings might be up for them and His Airness. This is all as Lavar Ball whispered (allegedly) in his eldest son’s ear to opt for restricted free agency in New Orleans after this year. (this is just a rumor I’m starting)

14. New York Knicks - The Knicks new management seems poised to be patient in making their big move be it through free agency and/or the draft so this year is just about development and evaluation. Hopefully they can evaluate some forwards up outta there.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers - The Cavs are building with some nice pieces like first rounder Isaac Okoro. He seems to be the right kind of player to add if new coach J.B. Bickerstaff has a plan in place to instill a winning culture in Cleveland again. Cavs might at times flirt with ‘feisty playoff contender’ this season but their best path upward is through the draft. As long as these Cavs play hard and go all out, you’ll start hearing about them as an up and coming young team in the East with interesting pieces.

12. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons have a new GM and he’s got a big decision to make named Blake Griffin. If Griffin regains his form from 2 seasons ago, he’s a bonafide star. The only question is will he be so on the Pistons or a title contender finding the final piece.

Pesky Playoff Pawns - Kyrie might not deign himself to speak with these teams but they’re the ones clawing to get to the bottom of the playoffs. True grit and grind.

11. Indiana Pacers - The Pacers failed to acquire homegrown star Gordon Hayward while another one is rumored to want out in Victor Oladipo. Not the best look for the franchise. As usual, people are going to forget about Indiana like everyone does every year and they’ll just quietly go away or they’ll be a poor man’s Raptors and make a strong playoff run where everyone will gently chide each other for forgetting about them.

10. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are interesting this season as they’ll have some young, promising guys getting playing time under a guy I think most consider a good coach of the game. If this Bulls core progresses, Chicago should be a mighty attractive spot for a superstar wanting to contend.

9. Orlando Magic - The Magic are quietly building a core recently signing Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz to extensions. They’re gonna have a lot of competition for the bottom of the playoffs but they’re good enough to be there which means sustained improvement indicating a winning culture might be taking hold.

8. Atlanta Hawks - Atlanta spent a lot in free agency this year and the results might be one of the funnest teams in the league. And Trae Young knows that to be considered a legitimate budding superstar he’s gotta get into the playoffs so he’s gonna try putting up MVP numbers (and also to stay apace of Luka). The Hawks will be gaining a bandwagon this year and I for one am here for “Shotlanta!” (which is a nickname I think i just gave this team).

7. Washington Wizards - The Wizards traded local philanthropist and trendy dance purveyor John Wall to Houston for an arguably fashionable icon and former MVP in Russell Westbrook. I think this is a win for the Wizards and will really propel them into the playoffs as long as he focuses on the playmaking and shoots a little less from so far away.

Contenders - These are the teams I’ve got to concede have a shot at winning an East that’s wide open yet again.

6. Toronto Raptors - The Raptors got to keep Fred VanVleet long term but lost Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, strong presences from their championship year. Still hard to ever count them out since Toronto doesn’t seem to back down and has established a pretty impressive culture of their own. A Spurs of the North if you will.

5. Miami Heat - What the Heat did just a couple months ago was incredible. They battled through injury and adversity to reach their destined heights. It was special. I don’t think they’ll repeat that level of success this time around. The teams that really want it will learn to match the Heat’s intensity and hustle this time in the playoffs.

4. Philadelphia 76ers - The 76ers feel rebranded now with Daryl Morey at the helm and Doc Rivers on the bench. I think this means the Sixers will make surprise moves to bring in the talent they think they need and be slow to make adjustments if something’s not working (ba dum tish). Would love to see if Ben Simmons ever develops an outside game which could put them over the top but still Philly should be a lot better than last year.

3. Boston Celtics - The Celtics parted ways with Gordon Hayward and it seems they’re now back on track for a path to a championship. Kemba Walker is still injured and there’s some uncertainty as to when he’ll be effective again but come playoff time, the Celtics will be right up there with anyone as favorites to win the East.

2. Milwaukee Bucks - Your long national nightmare is over Milwaukee. You got your guy and dashed the hopes of millions of fans. Actually, Giannis staying is in fact a great win for the NBA and small markets. There are still athletes enamored of loyalty and building ground up from where they stand. It remains to be seen if he’s good enough to win the East however.

1. Brooklyn Nets - Primadonna divas burning that sativa in a dream fever recallin’ the spirit of Tom Seaver. Yes, that’s an indication of how weird this Brooklyn season might be. The Nets were the 7th seed in the East last year with no Kevin Durant and just 20 games of Kyrie Irving. Those are 2 of the 10 best basketball players in the world at least (arguably top 7) and as long as their focus is winning basketball, they are perhaps the most talented team in the league and the true biggest threat to the Lakers.

Western Conference

Fade for Cade - These teams are gonna be in the lottery mix to get a chance at probable number 1 pick Cade Cunningham (6’8 G - Oklahoma State).

15. Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder are going to hurt without Chris Paul but their game now is 1st round draft picks so I think they’re set on maximizing the highest value they can find. They are in fact the only team I think in the cutthroat West that isn’t really thinking playoffs.

Young Guns - These are the guys itchin’ their trigger fingers to make a name for themselves in this wild, wild West.

14. Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies could be higher on this list but Jaren Jackson is still out indefinitely from a season ending meniscus tear he suffered in August. He’s an integral part of the team’s success but the silver lining in today’s NBA is that a prolonged injury can increase the chances of drafting another star in the lottery.

13. Sacramento Kings - The Kings want to win now and they think they’re good enough but no one really knows. They declined to pay a really good player in Bogdan Bogdanovic so it’s time for Buddy Hield to shine. And seeing what Marvin Bagley can give them might go a long way to deciding how real a playoff contender they are.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves had the 1st pick in the draft but they’re ready to see something special from their core of Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. They’re not that into a rebuild and this year may really show us just how great Karl-Anthony Towns’ talent is. He’s coming off a tragic summer though.

11. New Orleans Pelicans - The Pelicans should only be better in Zion’s first full year. I didn’t see any controversial pics of Zion’s waistline recently so the food in New Orleans hasn’t been able to stop him. Think Zion will have a really solid 2nd season and start coming into his own as the Pelicans round out into a playoff team.

Deadwood - Because I’m a sucker for themes and cause these teams just seem to lay there not wanted but also not easy to get rid of.

10. San Antonio Spurs - It’s always hard with the Spurs. They’ve been winning for so long that it’s simply not smart to count them out no matter how much talent it seems other teams have. No one, including myself, wants to be the one that says the Spurs are finally also-rans.

9. Houston Rockets - Jumbo Jim Harden just epitomizes the worst aspects of today’s athlete-fan relationship. Fans love an athlete for what he brings to their team and now with social media being the new way of expressing unhappiness, athletes are really telling on themselves and what they think of fans when they publicly parlay with management. Houston could completely fall apart or Harden could get an injection of pride and make Houston a contender again. No one really knows and outside of Rockets fans, who really cares?

8. Utah Jazz - Sorry Jazz but I’m just not buying you guys as contenders. Nice team and strong playoff performer that almost took down the hottest team in the West for a minute Nuggets but you’re still the Jazz and it’s still weird you are the team in Utah. Just so random that I’m not even sure why I’m even picking you here. Shouts to Mike Conley though!

Young Guns II - These are teams hoping to surpass past heights (which sequels seldom do) by adding aging stars or returning impact players from injury . The Suns added the aging star Chris Paul, the Warriors were trying to get the ol’ dynasty back together again, and just 2 years ago the Portland Trail Blazers were in the Western Conference Finals.

7. Phoenix Suns - Gotta pick the Suns to be a lot better after they added Chris Paul to that team that went undefeated in the bubble. Devin Booker is a great player and more of America may be able to watch him this year which is a blessing. Having Chris Paul, probably one of the top 3 point guards to ever play to help him and big man Deandre Ayton can only mean big progress.

6. Golden State Warriors - It’s sad that Klay Tompson is missing another year with another bad injury and that moved the Warriors from sure-fire contenders to teams you definitely don’t want to face when wins matter. Steph Curry might put up MVP numbers and it will be so fun to watch him get back to that Steph but pickups like Kelly Oubre will help keep the Warriors in solid position.

5. Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers are less injured. Yay! They also made some nice additions in Robert Covington and Harry Giles III that should help shore up some deficiencies. Many consider them a true contender but I can’t put them in the next group yet.

4. Dallas Mavericks - The Mavericks almost took out the L.A. Clippers in the first round last year mostly without the help of their second star, Kristaps Porzingis. With a healthy Kristaps this year, Dallas is feeling pretty confident that they can truly contend with the big boys and 3rd year phenom Luka Doncic is the favorite to win MVP. But the Mavs seem to be missing a piece still before they’re at that level.

The 3 Amigos - Yes I almost put the Mavericks in this group but I couldn’t resist making a 3 Amigos reference. Timeless classic. In fact I’m watching it right now as I put the finishing touches on this preview.

3. Denver Nuggets - Denver lost a strong defender when forward Jerami Grant bolted for the Pistons?! but that means Michael Porter Jr gets the playing time he covets. He better improve on the defensive end if he wants Denver to do better than last year but if he takes a leap, Denver will have 3 very formidable players on their team that will cause problems for EVERYONE. I’m just hoping they don’t let Bol Bol develop anytime soon.

2. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers, again having paraded themselves as the laughingstock of the league, still don’t deserve your pity. They’re still a team designed to beat the Lakers and are very well equipped to do so. Over the offseason they got some pieces that were surely designed to get past Denver. This year might be the year we finally get that Lakers-Clippers series.

1. Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers did not rest on their laurels and made some hardy decisions that should actually improve the team that won it all last season. If the team chemistry gets back to where it was last year and this team has as much fun competing and winning, they’ll be nearly unstoppable. Keep an eye out for Pau Gasol to possibly join his brother Marc on the team later this season. The Lakers will probably have the luxury of picking and choosing who they add.

NBA Awards Predictions

MVP - Anthony Davis

Rookie of the Year - James Wiseman

Defensive Player of the Year - Joel Embiid

Most Improved Player - Christian Wood

6th Man of the Year - Caris LeVert

Coach of the Year - Steve Nash

Playoff Predictions

1st Round Winners

Nets, Bucks, Celtics, 76ers

Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Mavericks

2nd Round Winners

Nets, Celtics

Lakers, Clippers

Conference Finals Winners

Nets over Celtics in 6

Lakers over Clippers in 7

Finals Winners

Lakers over Nets in 7