Skip to main content

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2022-23 NBA Season

Hoops are back in action and I could not be happier. Sure, my New York Knicks are typically the cause of pain and disgust (as they were last year in missing the playoffs - and even the play-in rounds), but truthfully, I'm not feeling very confident of my New York Yankees in their quest against a VERY good Houston Astros team in the American League Championship Series. So yeah, I'm preparing myself to turn the page from baseball to hoops. 

This post provides some therapy, as it always does. 

Regardless of the Yankee's outcome this week, I'm feeling fairly confident in my guys in orange and blue, primarily because of the one aspect that has alluded us for years - a reliable point guard! Jalen Brunson is so desperately needed and I'm excited to see what he does as a Knick. I'm also interested in the continued development of RJ Barrett, and of course, seeing yet another chapter of Julius Randle. 

I'm also interested in year twenty (!) of LeBron James, Steph Curry doing Curry things, Paolo Banchero, Zion Williamson, The Los Angeles Clippers insanely deep roster, being annoyed at home much I love the Boston Celtics roster, and so much else. 

With all of that said, here are my predictions for the upcoming NBA season, with some wild guesses thrown in. 

---

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS: 

1. Milwaukee Bucks (60-22)

2. Boston Celtics (60-22)

3. Miami Heet (50-32)

4. Philadelphia 76ers (49-33)

5. Toronto Raptors (46-36)

6. Brooklyn Nets (45-37)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)

8. New York Knicks (42-40)


WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS: 

1. Denver Nuggets (61-21)

2. Los Angeles Clippers (60-22)

3. Memphis Grizzlies (59-23)

4. Golden State Warriors (57-25)

5. Dallas Mavericks (51-31)

6. Phoenix Suns (50-32)

7. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36)

8. New Orleans Pelicans (45-37)


SEASON OCCURRENCES:

Next Household Name: Scottie Barnes 

Biggest Name to Be Traded: Chris Paul

Biggest Story: Nets and Kyrie Irving Saga Continues

Scoring Champion: Luka Doncic


SEASON AWARDS: 

All-Star Game MVP: Ja Morant

Coach of the Year: Willie Greene

Most Improved Player of the Year: RJ Barrett 

Defensive Player of the Year: Mikal Bridges

Sixth Man of the Year: Bruce Brown

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero

Most Valuable Player: Joel Embiid


WILD GUESSES:

- Knicks Enter Play-In and Make Playoffs 

Some may say this isn't too crazy, but it's the Knicks, and I'm a Knick fan - this is pretty wild. 

- Russell Westbrook Goes Elsewhere...and returns (somewhat) to form

The Lakers experiment with Russell Westbrook HAS to end. You have to feel for the guy - at least I do. I don't see this lasting much longer with the Lakers finally moving him somewhere. Russ will once again be in control, and won't exactly be the explosive triple-double machine he once was, but he averages 19, 8, and 8. 

- Pelicans Become Serious

I see the Pelicans quickly becoming a talking point in the season before injuries hit their season. They then regroup for a playoff run, just to run into a higher seed they battle within a deep series. 

- Chris Paul (finally) becomes a Laker

Years after David Stern squashed this, the Suns finally move on from Chris Paul, and yes, Russell Westbrook is part of this deal moving elsewhere in a multi-team deal. 

Drama Continues to Surround Nets

- Spurs win Lottery - Will Win Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes

Because, why wouldn't they?!! They're just due for another two decades of success, no? I'm so damaged from my Knicks fandom. 


CONFERENCE FINALS: 

Eastern Conference: Bucks d. Nets (4-2)

Western Conference: Clippers d. Nuggets (4-3)


NBA FINALS:

Bucks d. Clippers (4-3)

NBA Finals MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Incredibles 2 (2018)

What is it about? The Parr family returns to take on a new mission which involves a change in family roles as well as a new villain. Who is in it? Craig T. Nelson - Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible Holly Hunter - Helen Parr/Elastagirl Sarah Powell - Violet Parr Favorite Scene: After trying to contain Jack-Jack, his constant battle with a backyard rodent opens up the family to the multitude of powers that he possesses, or even, can develop. Favorite Quote: "If you wanna get out of the hole, first you gotta put down the shovel." Review: Like many, I LOVED the original Incredibles film. And yes, I too was annoyed whenever a sequel wasn't announced. After all, there were many franchises that debuted, got a sequel, and even moved straight to release on their third installment before our lovable heroic family got their turn! But I digress... Nonetheless, it finally arrived. And if I'm being honest, The Incredibles 2 was good. It just wasn't what I wa

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 - 8/20/23

3 Up 1. Lahaina Community Promise - After everything we've seen in Hawaii and the wildfires in Hawaii, sometimes it feels "too early" to discuss the future, or the shift that can take place going forward. Kudos to the Governor who ensured this week that the Lahaina Community will have a say in the area's rebuild. We won't say it out of respect to the present, but the area is ripe for transition with tourists and other types of gentrification.  2. Spain, Women's World Cup - A big win this week as the women of Spain wrap up the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 victory over England.  3. Netflix Suits - I watched Suits when it aired on the USA Network and consider it one of my favorite TV Shows, ever. Seeing its renaissance on Netflix has been cool. Even more so, watching it (alongside another favorite in Bluey) at the center of the changing dynamics of television-watching culture has been interesting.  3 Down 1. Extreme Weather - Another week, more crazy weather