Skip to main content

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2021-22 NBA Season

For the first time in as long as I can remember, my New York Knicks have become a bit of a sanctuary for my sports fandom. Everything that has been the New York Yankees summer, and recent elimination, just begs for a proverbial turning of the page. The NBA season is that new chapter. 

The Knicks season is a bit of a conundrum, as they've gotten much better, BUT, so did the rest of the Eastern Conference. I'm feeling confident, but I'm also anxious for more good basketball and hoping that last year wasn't some fluky gift to us Knicks for our patience prior to last season. 

Whatevs...nonetheless, here are my predictions for the upcoming NBA season.

 EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS:

1. Milwaukee Bucks (59-23)

2. Philadephia 76ers (53-29)

3. Atlanta Hawks (52-30)

4. Brooklyn Nets (52-30)

5. Chicago Bulls (48-34)

6. New York Knicks (47-35)

7. Miami Heat (45-37)

8. Charlotte Hornets (40-42)

9. Boston Celtics (40-42)

10. Indiana Pacers (38-44)


WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS

1. Denver Nuggets (57-25)

2. Utah Jazz (56-26)

3. Phoenix Suns (52-30)

4. Golden State Warriors (51-31)

5. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)

6. Los Angeles Clippers (50-32)

7. Minnesota Timberwolves (45-37)

8. Portland Trailblazers (44-38)

9. Dallas Mavericks (43-39)

10. Memphis Grizzlies (40-42)


SEASON OCCURRENCES

Next Household Name: Jalen Green

Biggest Name to be Traded: Ben Simmons (kind of obvious, no?)

Biggest Story: Kyrie Irving does not play until Spring. 

Scoring Champion: Kevin Durant (34+ ppg)


SEASON AWARDS

All-Star Game MVP: LaMelo Ball 

Coach of the Year: Michael Malone

Most Improved Player: Shai Gigleous-Alexander

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert

Sixth Man of the Year: Bobby Portis 

Rookie of the Year: Jalen Green

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant


CONFERENCE FINALS 

Eastern Conference: Nets d. Bucks (4-3)

Western Conference: Nuggets d. Clippers (4-2)


NBA FINALS

Nuggets d. Nets (4-2)

NBA Finals MVP: Nikola Jokic

Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

Dome Pondering - 2025 Year in Review

2025 brought depth and growth.  In many ways, 2025 provided so many challenges and opportunities, allowing for a deeper, more layered approach to the world we live in. Our world is changing, and often, not for the better. Over the last 365 days, life has been more complex, more exhausting, and is asking so much more of us through these transitions and nuances than it did 365 days ago.  No big deal, right?  But hey, you're here. We're here. And we're going into 2026 much stronger, whether we realize it or not. But before we do, let's bid adieu to 2025.  As always, I'm incredibly gratefu l to those of you who still visit this little speck of the internet that houses my thoughts, rambles, and learnings. Thank you for taking a break from instant dopamine hits and videos, and likely the much cooler options of prepared content and indulging my humbled words. It is much appreciated.  It's the 20th annual - TWENTY YEARS of doing this! - Dome Pondering Year in Review. Le...
Read more

Thoughts on John Cena's Final Match - "I'm okay with the tap out."

Wow, he tapped out?! Or did he? We all anticipated the final moment for John Cena in a pro wrestling ring, and what happened this past Saturday left all of us pro wrestling fans with an opinion - did you like the ending?  It was jarring to watch Cena tap out initially. However, as common as "final matches" are beginning to feel as of late (Dudley Boyz and Goldberg in 2025, AJ's announcement that 2026 is his last, and the strong rumor for the same fate for Brock Lesnar in 2026), as pro wrestling fans, we just don't believe yet that wrestling retirements are for real. Because why would we? Nonetheless, we've gotten some unique send-offs that tug on the emotion and mean more AFTER the dust has settled.  I think back to TNA Slammmiversary just this year, in Bubba Ray Dudley "giving up" and allowing himself to be put through the table for the Dudley Boyz send off. In the moment, it seemed awkward and weird. But as time has gone on, the finish has aged really...
Read more