NBA preview: Mike McGraw's predictions for the 2020-2021 season
Here's how I see the 2020-2021 NBA season playing out:
Eastern Conference
1. Brooklyn - These NBA superteams tend to gel quickly, so expect KD and Kyrie to hit ground shooting.
2. Milwaukee - Jrue Holiday is a nice addition, but will the Bucks regret botching the Bogdan Bogdanovic sign-and-trade?
3. Miami - Don't mean to alarm anyone, but ex-Bulls two-way player Max Strus was the Heat's leading scorer in preseason.
4. Boston - Young team has already managed to lose Eastern Conference finals three times in four years.
5. Philadelphia - What's going to push Embiid-Simmons to the next level? Not Dwight Howard. Maybe Doc Rivers.
6. Washington - The Wizards went from prolonged John Wall injury to Russell Westbrook being unleashed in the East.
7. Toronto - Most of key guys are back, but Raptors couldn't sign either of their centers? Gasol and Ibaka both went to L.A.
8. Atlanta - Hawks decided to step on it, adding Capela, Gallinari. Bogdanovic. Rondo and Dunn to watch Trae Young fire away.
9. Orlando - This team definitely seems to have hit the midlevel wall. Dwayne Bacon was the key addition.
10. Indiana - Not sure why Pacers fired coach Nate McMillan, but if Victor Oladipo is healthy they might be better.
11. Charlotte - Say what you want about the Hornets breaking the bank for Gordon Hayward, at least they have veterans with winning history.
12. BULLS - Whether this roster has potential or not, they're going to hit the same roadblock of too many young guys.
13. Detroit - Pistons had a weird offseason, but Blake Griffin was playing really well before getting hurt, so withhold final judgment.
14. New York - Knicks are waiting to make bigger moves, but no way Tom Thibodeau lets them finish last.
15. Cleveland - It will be interesting to see how No. 5 draft pick Isaac Okoro fares in comparison to Patrick Williams.
Western Conference
1. L.A. Lakers - Will the two-month offseason be able to finally slow down LeBron? He'll get all the rest he needs.
2. L.A. Clippers - Whatever went wrong with team chemistry in the bubble, new coach Tyronn Lue can fix, maybe.
3. Denver - The post-Karnisovas era for the Nuggets is relying on Michael Porter Jr. to be the missing piece.
4. Portland - Full season of Jusuf Nurkic, then Robert Covington and Derrick Jones to shore up the defense. Blazers will rise.
5. Utah - Jazz deserved a better fate in the bubble and responded by locking up Mitchell and Gobert long-term.
6. Dallas - Doncic and Porzingis are a dynamic duo, but there are still some soft spots in the Mavs lineup.
7. Memphis - Ja Morant will turn this group into the Coastal Carolina of the NBA if Grizzlies stay healthy.
8. Golden State - The climb would be much higher if not for another unfortunate Klay Thompson injury.
9. New Orleans - There's a lot of talent on this team from Zion to Lonzo and Brandon Ingram in between.
10. Phoenix - Chris Paul is bound to work wonders with Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton, but the competition is rough.
11. Houston - Anything is possible for this team after adding healthier Wall and Cousins to a grumpy James Harden.
12. San Antonio - The Spurs' playoff streak is over and an aging LeMarcus Aldridge will only go so far.
13. Sacramento - They have a great young PG in De'Aaron Fox, then chose the best passer in the draft, Tyrese Haliburton. Somewhere there's a plan.
14. Minnesota - There's a lot of tough competition in the West and no evidence Karl Anthony Towns is up for the challenge.
15. Oklahoma City - Billy Donovan saw this coming. After failing to win with proven stars, it's time for Thunder to save money.
NBA Finals
Clippers over Nets
MVP
1. Kevin Durant, Nets
2. Anthony Davis, Lakers
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Rookie of the year
1. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
2. Obi Toppin, Knicks
3. Anthony Edwards, T-Wolves
Coach of the year
1. Steve Nash, Nets
2. Terry Stotts. Blazers
3. Frank Vogel, Lakers
Most improved player
1. Christian Wood, Rockets
2. Harry Giles, Blazers
3. Talen Horton-Tucker, Lakers