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The start of the 2020-21 NBA season came pretty fast, hasn't it?
Just over two months since the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned NBA champions for the 17th time in franchise history, the NBA is back on Tuesday night.
The action kicks off with Kevin Durant facing some of his former Golden State Warriors teammates in his official debut for the Brooklyn Nets. That matchup is followed by the crosstown showdown between the Lakers and Clippers.
Here are some bold predictions for the 2020-21 NBA season, complete with conference standings and a championship winner.
Eastern Conference standings
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- Toronto Raptors
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Indiana Pacers
- Washington Wizards
- Atlanta Hawks
- Orlando Magic
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- New York Knicks
Western Conference standings
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Utah Jazz
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- Golden State Warriors
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Memphis Grizzlies
- San Antonio Spurs
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Sacramento Kings
- Oklahoma City Thunder
2020-21 NBA Season Bold Predictions
1. Suns grab a top-4 seed
As you can see from the above standings, the Suns make a pretty big leap from a team that hasn't made the playoffs in over a decade to a top-4 seed in a loaded Western Conference.
The addition of Chris Paul is significant. He wins everywhere he goes, notably with an Oklahoma City Thunder almost nobody predicted to make the playoffs. Don't forget, Paul is coming off a season in which he made an All-NBA team and was one of the best clutch players in the league.
Paul knows how and when to defer to Devin Booker. He and Deandre Ayton will be a nightmare pick-and-roll duo, and Phoenix also boasts a couple floor-spacing bigs and sharpshooter wings.
Phoenix could also make a big leap on the defensive end with the hyper-competitive Paul joining the fold. The Suns have tough defensive wings in Mikal Bridges and the veteran Jae Crowder, and Ayton and Jalen Smith can swallow up the interior.
Sure, this Suns franchise has been down in the dumps for years. But the infusion of veteran leaders like Paul and Crowder and subtle fringe upgrades will help Phoenix's young talent maximize its potential.
2. Rockets retain James Harden
Unless you've been living under the proverbial rock, you understand the James Harden drama continues to envelope the Houston Rockets franchise.
The latest detail of toxicity reportedly involved Harden throwing a ball at one of the team's rookies. “The Beard” also offered one of his first “No comment” answers when asked how he felt about Houston's roster.
Things could turn dire for the Rockets. General manager Rafael Stone has done what he can to reconfigure the roster by acquiring John Wall and signing Christian Wood. Houston's offense should look quite a bit different than it was last year, which might actually benefit a high-usage guy like Harden, particularly if Wall and Co. inspire the Rockets to play faster.
Yet, Harden appears insistent on forcing his way out of town. It will obviously be problematic if he is a distraction in the locker room. But a trade before the March deadline still feels unlikely.
The Sixers would seemingly have the inside track on Harden should they be willing to offer Ben Simmons, but Daryl Morey has suggested Simmons is not on the table. Will Houston really show a concerted interest in what other teams have to offer?
Plus, there is the notion other teams simply might not want Harden for fear he might perpetuate a more negative culture within a given organization.
If nothing else, the Rockets can stick things out this year and see what Harden's value is next offseason.
3. Paul George makes All-NBA
George has seen a precipitous fall from grace.
The six-time All-Star was so woeful in the 2020 playoffs he earned the nickname “Pandemic P” on social media. Los Angeles also received a great deal of backlash for signing George to a massive four-year extension.
But, here's the thing. George is still one of the best wings in the NBA.
Yes, the 30-year-old saw a fairly sharp decline in his scoring numbers and performed extremely poorly in the playoffs. But this is the first offseason in some time when George has been able to solely focus on basketball instead of rehab. His future in L.A. is set, and there is plenty of motivation from all the hate.
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Plus, there are other things in George's favor. Tyronn Lue likely will not force PG13 to run around screens and be more of a catch-and-shoot player, as Doc Rivers hoped he would be.
Additionally, L.A.'s failure to acquire or sign a true point guard means George should see more of the ball to take some of the playmaking onus off Kawhi Leonard.
That could do wonders for George, who is just a year removed from averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists to go along with a league-high 2.2 steals in his final season with the Thunder.
George will be out for redemption this year.
4. Kevin Durant wins MVP
Winning an MVP upon returning from a ruptured Achilles would not only be unprecedented, but one of the greatest achievements in league history.
If anyone is capable of such a feat, it's Durant.
The Nets star has looked incredibly explosive during preseason action, routinely pulling up for transition threes and blowing by opposing wing defenders.
Brooklyn will need Durant at his best to realize its chances of winning an NBA title. Fortunately for the Nets, Durant has no shortage of desire.
Since being out due to injury, KD has watched Giannis Antetokounmpo seemingly stake a claim as the best player in the NBA while also seeing LeBron James lead a resurgent Laker franchise to another title. So many players boosted their personal stocks last year, some rankings barely even have Durant inside the top-10 players in the NBA.
Durant might not say it outright to the media, but these are the challenges that motivate him. The former league MVP has always been hungry to prove he is the best. Just think of the old SI cover where he stated he was “tired” of finishing in second place.
Winning MVP might be a long shot for Durant given Kyrie Irving will also put up numbers and have a high usage rate. But if KD excels and the Nets make a big leap in the Eastern Conference, there is no reason he cannot capture the award.
5. Clippers win the 2020-21 NBA season title
The Clippers are still reeling from their 3-1 blowup in the playoffs. Los Angeles has been scrutinized for the George extension and Luke Kennard's rookie extension. The franchise is also under league investigation regarding how Leonard was signed.
Despite all that, basketball fans are sleeping on L.A.'s moves this offseason.
Kennard averaged close to 16 points and over four assists for the Detroit Pistons last year while also shooting close to 40 percent from deep. He gives the Clippers a secondary ball-handler and shot-creator who can space the floor.
Serge Ibaka might be the most underrated move of the offseason. Ibaka has become a legitimate stretch-four also capable of scoring around the basket via an assortment of jump-hooks. The veteran can also defend around the cup, even if he is not the same kind of shot-blocking force he once was.
The Lakers got a lot better, and teams like the Suns and Portland Trail Blazers reloaded in a deep West.
But the Clippers still have as much talent as any roster in the entire NBA, and Leonard and George have a full year together under their belts.
Los Angeles will be out to silence the noise and steal the crown from the Lakers.
