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

Recent Favorites

AEW All IN: London (2023) Review: "This large of a crowd for an event that wasn't the WWE!"

I'm obviously registering these thoughts incredibly late, but such is the current state of pro wrestling right now - there is just so much going on, and so much to enjoy. It's a great time to be a fan, regardless of where your tribalism fandom falls - if you carry such allegiances.  I'm sure no matter what product you find entertaining, you circled AEW's All In event from Wembley Stadium as a must-watch. I don't care about someone else's "take" on the attendance total - I couldn't care less if it was the record for a pro wrestling event or not - what AEW was able to accomplish is absolutely amazing! Four years in, and the company produced an event on the levels of Wrestlemania in terms of attendance and business - that's damn impressive! Tony Khan and the entire company deserve loads of credit for taking that leap because it very much could have failed. They took a chance, and absolutely delivered (and so much more), and proved there is a subs

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/10/23

3 Up 1. Coco Gauf & Novak Djokovic - The US Open wrapped up this weekend and tennis crowned some deserving champions. Djokovic continues to add to a remarkable career with his 24th (!!) grand slam title win. And of course, Coco Gauff won over America with her win. It's impressive to see the effect that the Williams sisters have had on tennis - wow. Looking forward to seeing the star Gauff will become.  2. Olivia Rodrigo - Her first album was fire. Even this late-thirties male enjoyed it. The sophomore album is always the toughest and Rodrigo apparently (haven't listened to it myself, yet) dropped an absolute banger in "Guts". So much so, that it broke records for debut stream with over 60 million streams!  3. Deion Sanders - There's way to much dialogue around Sanders that isn't needed. Here is what it boils down to for me - Sanders took over a program that was 1-11. He brought in 80+ players. His team is currently 2-0, including victories over a ranked op

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/3/23

3 Up  1. Labor Day Weekend - It's the weekend where we mark the unofficial end of summer. However, the weather this upcoming week says otherwise. Nonetheless, I hope you all had an opportunity to reflect, restore, and give some gratitude on this weekend.  2. College Sports - College athletics are back in swing, providing some pretty awesome moments this week.  2a. Nebraska Women's Volleyball - 92,003 for a Women's Volleyball Game is not just a record for a Women's Athletic event, but it's pretty freakin' cool. Kudos to Nebraska Athletics and everyone who attended in making that a special occasion.  2b. Travis Hunter - I didn't get a chance to watch the Colorado vs. TCU game, however, I'm a fan of Deion Sanders, mainly from what he did for Jackson State. However, Hunter playing both ways is remarkable. Freak athlete.  3. Jimmy Buffett - The world said goodbye to Buffet whose songs can take you to a beach or to summer vibes in an instant.  3 Down  1. UNC