Anytime a league begins play, people make predictions about what will happen throughout the season. Predictions before the season are pretty much a toss-up, because nobody can predict trades and injuries. However, that doesn’t mean predictions aren’t fun! In the spirit of that, I’m going to make five bold predictions for the 2014-2015 NBA season. Keep in mind, these are bold predictions, which means they might make you think, “What was this guy thinking?!” These five predictions very likely may not happen, but if they do, I would not be shocked or scratching my head.
1. The Sacramento Kings will make the playoffs
Yep, that’s right. In a stacked Western Conference, the Kings will find themselves in the postseason. There is already star talent on this team with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. Gay knows how to score, and showed that by scoring 40 against the Portland Trailblazers on Halloween. DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best centers in the league and a force down low. Ben McLemore struggled during his rookie season but should play better with a year under his belt. The Kings also drafted sharpshooter Nik Stauskas who can help spread the floor. Cousins and Gay will be the dominant two on this team and with a full season together can lead this team to a playoff spot.
2. Someone not named Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins will win Rookie of the Year
These two, especially Parker, are pretty much the only two players people expect to win Rookie of the Year. I agree that Parker is the favorite, but there are other good rookies that will make a strong case for this award. Philadelphia 76ers’ big man Nerlens Noel is back from injury and should see a lot of playing time on a weak roster. With Jameer Nelson no longer with the Orlando Magic, Elfrid Payton will see a large role in the Magic offense. He will dish out plenty of assists to a young Magic team and can even get involved in the scoring. One more name to keep an eye on is Bojan Bogdanovic of the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets need someone to step up after losing Paul Pierce this summer. Bogdanovic is deadly from beyond the arc and will see a lot of playing time with the Nets.
3. Miami Heat will make the Eastern Conference Finals
No, I don’t live in a cave, and I am aware LeBron James is no longer with the Heat. Losing LeBron will be a huge loss, but this team isn’t full of scrubs. Chris Bosh will pick up some of the slack and will look like he did when he was with the Toronto Raptors. Luol Deng also signed with the Heat and will take on some of the scoring. Dwyane Wade’s health is a big wildcard, so this prediction could hinge on his health. Another name to keep an eye on is Norris Cole, who is ready for a breakout season. These players also have plenty of playoff experience, something that most of the teams in the East are lacking. The Bulls and Cavaliers are the favorites, but the rest of the East is up for grabs. The Heat’s path may have to go through Cleveland or Chicago, but don’t be surprised when they reach their fifth straight Eastern Conference Finals.
4. Lance Stephenson will contend for MVP
With names like LeBron James, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Anthony Davis, it’s going to be tough to stand out. Stephenson is joining a Charlotte Hornets team that surprised people last year by making the playoffs. He had a great year in Indiana, leading the league in triple-doubles. Overall, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The Hornets will be good again this year, and Stephenson will be the leader of this team. Defenses will also have to focus on Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, opening up the court for Stephenson. If he can improve his averages from last season and get the Hornets to a top four seed in the East, expect to hear Stephenson’s name thrown around in discussions for this season’s MVP.
5. Dallas Mavericks will win the NBA Championship
The Mavericks finished eighth in the West last year but took the San Antonio Spurs to seven games in the first round. They brought in Jameer Nelson, Chandler Parsons and Al-Farouq Aminu via free agency and Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton via trade. Parsons will show that he was worth the money, and Chandler will feel at home again and should return back to the player he was during the championship run. The Mavs have Monta Ellis to score and Dirk Nowitzki still has plenty left in the tank to be the leader in Dallas. Although they never seem to get the top-tiered free agents, the Mavericks filled their roster with solid players that will all contribute to a championship. Expect to hear a lot from Mark Cuban next summer.
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