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

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...
Read more

Knicks Postseason 2026, Conference Finals vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

It feels like forever since we've played.  But we've got our opponent, and it's go time!  Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Like every other Knick fan, I too hoped for a seven-game series between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that's what we got. The long series added time for our squad to rest up (get healthy, OG!) and more time to scout exactly what we'll have to deal with in the Eastern Conference Finals.  We've been here before, and a trip to the NBA Finals once again feels all too close. All too real!  The Cavaliers present some interesting dynamics with their electric backcourt and the size up front with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. There are also two players on the roster, Dennis Schroder and Max Strus, who often find ways to stick it to the Knicks. Sam Merrill seems like the kind of guy who would join that group in this series.  Nonetheless, the Knicks are on a historic run. The Cavs have been knocking on t...
Read more

Knicks Postseason 2026, NBA Finals vs. San Antonio Spurs [in progress]

Part of me is in disbelief that we are here...the other part is raging and ready to go. Four more wins! Let's. GO! So much of this NBA Finals feels poetic, historical, and dream-worthy, for so many reasons, to so many different parties. This includes the NBA office. I'm sure they are loving this matchup for their biggest stage.  While defeating the Spurs does exercise some demons from 1999, I'm not sure I care about that at all. As noted from my thoughts in the Eastern Conference Finals, at this point, just win. Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Review Thoughts from Eastern Conference Finals Just. Win.  I don't care who the opponent is. The narrative that comes with it, or how we do it.  Just. Win. The NBA Cup win seems like whiteboard material for them, yet a serving example for us to match up with them. Again, it doesn't matter. Both teams are completely different beasts since November, through growth and experience.  This all comes down to...
Read more