2014-15 NBA Early Season Forecast

After an interesting offseason, I'm happy to see the NBA regular season kick off. For the 6th straight season, the anticipation of the upcoming season is filled with great storylines, high expectations for contending teams & the usual 3-hour argument of how the Western Conference playoff picture will play out during the season. Most of the Western powers made moves during the summer in order to go after the defending NBA champs Golden State Warriors, the biggest winner of this arms race being the San Antonio Spurs. In the grand scheme of things, we can see another scenario of 8 50-win teams & a 1st round “upset”.

In my opinion, The Eastern Conference has had parody for the last several seasons, but they have more bad luck when it comes to injuries than the Western Conference. The 9th, 10th & 11th seeds might not be over .500 out East, but there's always the possibility those teams can be in position to fight for a playoff spot after the halfway point of the season, if they stay healthy.

For last year's season preview, I went into detail about the moves that each team made and what factors had to play a part in order for them to have a successful season. I gave each team an over/under as to how many wins that they have to get in order to have a successful season. This year, I'm doing the same thing, but we're cutting right to the chase. A few hits and misses notwithstanding, my predictions are pretty accurate. This season, the over/under has a 3 to 4 win margin of error so I'll be keeping a close eye on as the season progresses. The order in which the teams are listed in their respective divisions, are based off their offseason moves, and where I think they're ranked as we begin to 2015-2016 campaign.

Also included are postseason award projections. All are subject to change as the season progresses.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Divison

Toronto Raptors: 48 wins

Boston Celtics: 45 wins

New York Knicks: 43 wins

Brooklyn Nets: 41 wins

Philadelphia 76ers: 19 wins

Central Division

Cleveland Cavaliers: 60 wins

Chicago Bulls: 54 wins

Milwaukee Bucks: 46 wins

Indiana Pacers: 45 wins

Detroit Pistons: 38 wins

Southeast Division

Miami Heat: 52 wins

Atlanta Hawks: 50 wins

Washington Wizards: 47 wins

Charlotte Hornets: 39 wins

Orlando Magic: 36 wins

Western Conference

Southwest Division

San Antonio Spurs: 57 wins

Houston Rockets: 55 wins

Memphis Grizzlies: 50 wins

New Orleans Pelicans: 46 wins

Dallas Mavericks: 45 wins

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors: 57 wins

Los Angeles Clippers: 55 wins

Phoenix Suns: 45 wins

Sacramento Kings: 42 wins

Los Angeles Lakers: 35 wins

Northwest Division

Oklahoma City Thunder: 56 wins

Utah Jazz: 45 wins

Denver Nuggets: 38 wins

Portland Trail Blazers: 37 wins

Minnesota Timberwolves: 37 wins

Predictions

MVP: LeBron James, Cavs

Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, Pelicans

Rookie of the Year: Karl Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

Sixth Man of the Year: Andre Igoudala, Warriors

Most Improved Player: Andre Drummond, Pistons

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Celtics

Sleeper Team (East): Miami Heat

Sleeper Team (West): Utah Jazz

2014-15 NBA Division Preview: Pacific Division

Pacific Division

1.    Los Angeles Clippers

It was only a matter of time before Donald Sterling got exposed for the racist bigot that he is. This was a well known fact in close NBA circles, as well as among die hard hoop lifers. Banning him for life from the game, even though he gets to cash out, is bittersweet justice. There’s no place for racism & discrimination in the NBA or in the game of basketball. I’m happy to see the Clippers move on & focus on strictly basketball. For the first time in the history of their franchise, they’re legitimate championship contenders, and for the first time since they moved to California, they’re the best basketball team in the state. Blake Griffin & Chris Paul are hungry to get out of the semifinals. The supporting cast are capable vets who are battle-tested (J.J. Reddick, Matt Barnes, Hedo Turkolou, Big Baby Davis, Jordan Farmer). They’re not scared to step up, make big shots, cross your soul into the next dimension (Jamal Crawford) & dunk on you so hard, your ancestors pour libations for the victims (DeAndre Jordan). Chris Douglas-Roberts fill the eccentric quota for the team. And they have the best coach in the NBA not named Greg Popovich (Doc Rivers). Their window of opportunity isn't gonna get any wider, so the time is now for these guys to win.

Over/Under: 55 wins

2.   Golden State Warriors

Steph Curry is the best shooter in the league. No question. He’s so good, opposing players who are assigned to guard him go right to his doorstep as soon as they get off the plane. They tell their teammate “Make sure his mans (Klay Thompson) don’t get off. I’ma meet Steph by his mailbox.” That won't help much, because both are willing passers. It opens up the floor for Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes & Draymond Green. A healthy Andrew Bogut complementing David Lee & Marreese Speights goes a long way Though, I don’t agree with the firing of Mark Jackson (front office drama, according to sources), nobody can deny that he did an amazing job at getting the Warriors to contender status, leaving Steve Kerr to take what he built to the next level. Kerr, even with his lack of coaching experience, understands the game, and I think he’s capable enough to get these guys in a position to play well into May.

Over/Under: 52 wins

3.    Phoenix Suns

They surprised everybody. I expected them to have an identical record as the 76ers, off the strength they played in the West. Move them East, they’re tied for third with Chicago, with home court advantage in the first two rounds. Instead, they satyed in the playoff hunt all season & stomped a mudhole into the low expectations everybody had for them last season. Their offense was dynamic, they gave an honest effort on the defensive end, and they were such a joy to watch. Goran Dragic & Eric Bledsoe were just out there ballin’. The Morris twins (Markis & Markeiff) made huge contributions. Gerald Green looked impressive & should be the starting 3 for the foreseeable future. P.J. Tucker emerged as a relaible glue guy. Miles Plumlee fits in perfectly with these uptempo Suns at center. Now add IsaiahThomas to that Dragic/Bledsoe? Matchup nightmare that should keep Jeff Hornacek’s offense in high gear for 48 minutes. They play with a good balance, but like with the Raptors out East, they won’t be sneaking up on anyone, so they’ll have to compete on a much higher level if they want to crack into the top 8 in the talent-heavy West. Alex Len can help them out so much if he can manage to get healthy.

Over/Under: 45 wins

4.    Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers, throughout their history, have been known for reloading quickly. They haven’t missed the playoffs for no more than 5 years in a row & that’s also the same amount of time between superstars to build around. Kobe Bryant is 36 & his championship window looks closed, so it’s about the future for these Lakers. Julius Randle’s broken leg isn’t what they need now, as well as Steve Nash being out for the whole year. Kobe shouldn’t be expected to average 35 again, but expect him to everything in his power to make the Lakers competitive this year, with help from outcasts like Jeremy Lin, Ed Davis & amnestied Carlos Boozer. Nick Young maight be more under control this year, thanks to the Kobe Death Stare being in closer proximity. Wesley Johnson has all the tools to be a capable wing defender. Jordan Hill is another servicable big for them. After that, who knows? If Byron Scott can turn this into a .500 team by the end of the season, I’d put him in the running for Coach Of The Year.

Over/Under: 42 wins

5.    Sacramento Kings

I can easily go on record and say without hesitation that DeMarcus Cousins is the best center in the league not named Dwight Howard (when he’s motivated & engaged). Besides questions about his attitude , it’s more or less the pieces around him that result in the losses piling up. They’ve had alot of individual talent in Sac-Town over the years, but it hasn’t translated into wins. The Sacramentio Kings of the early ‘00s were a fun brand of basketball, moving the ball unselfishly, playing for each other & were a few suspect call against them away from an NBA Finals apperance. Can Mike Malone get them to play as a cohesive unit? He’ll have to rely on Cousins & Rudy Gay to carry the scoring load. Newcomers Darren Colison & Ramon Sessions gives them stability at the point. Ben McLemore & Nik Stauskas will be duking it out for the starting SG spot, which right now, might be the best position battle in the league (my humble opinion). CJ McCallum should get some looks as well. If all works out for them, they might have a shot….at winning 40 games.

Over/Under: 32 wins