2019-20 NBA Season
Quite possibly one of the most power shifting and impactful Free Agency period in years. A lot of new faces in different places and it's going to make for a very interesting season, especially out west. A few changes in the East, one being Kyrie and Durant but he'll be out for the year so the Nets have to wait another year to be at full strength. Horford leaving Boston and heading to Philadelphia give the 76ers another big that can stretch the floor. Jimmy Butler to the Heat and Kemba swapping Free Agency destinations with Terry Rosier. But the landscape, balance of power and the competition out West has changed so much that I believe there are going to be a couple real talented teams that are outside the top 8. Believe it or not,(and remember, it's just my opinion but you heard it here first), there is going to be a team who's playoff streak of 22 years will be snapped. You can argue or debate if you want, which I'm sure you will because it is quite bold, but looking at the talent on the teams in the West, there are teams that were out that are pretty much guaranteed to be in. With all this said, you have to keep in-mind that these are based on players remaining healthy.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
To me, the East is by far the easiest to begin to predict. The way the talent is distributed, there are far more obvious teams that will succeed and make the playoffs than the West. Not too much shake up as Free Agency was concerned. A few big name players moved around but not nearly as active or impactful as the West. With the amount of games played in the NBA season, it's much harder to predict what will happen in a basketball season compared to the NFL season. As I said, Durant came east but he'll be out so Kyrie has to man the ship in his season long absence. Couple changes with Boston and Philly but no major overhaul. Jimmy Butler looks to give the Heat a bump but I honestly feel like this was a move for a couple reasons. First, games are played throughout the winter and having at least half your game where its warm all year was a factor. But most of all it was a money move. Other than a few moves, the East was relatively quiet compared to West.
EAST STANDINGS
Milwaukee Bucks - 61-21
Philadelphia 76ers - 53-29
Boston Celtics - 49-33
Indiana Pacers - 45-37
Brooklyn Nets - 43-39
Toronto Raptors - 43-39
Miami Heat - 42-40
Detroit Pistons - 41-41
Orlando Magic - 37-45
Charlotte Hornets - 35-47
Washington Wizards - 35-47
Atlanta Hawks - 33-49
New York Knicks - 23-59
Cleveland Cavaliers - 19-63
Now on to the vaunted Western Conference. All I have to say is "WOW", there are a lot of talented teams in the West and it's far beyond what the East has to offer. Major additions to teams in the West like the Clipper, Lakers and Rockets. The West is going to be a very exciting and interesting and it's a shame that a couple of real talented teams that would be in the playoffs out East, won't have quite enough out West. I looked at last years standings and with the change to the Lakers and Clippers, two playoff teams from last season will be out and unfortunately it's the Spurs that may end their streak of 22 consecutive years in the playoffs. Call me crazy, I get it, but the Spurs were the 7 seed last year with a 48-34 record. Good for 5th in the East, I don't think that's going to be enough for the Spurs to get in this season. Dallas gets Porzingis back and healthy so I can't see them at 14th this year. Improvements to teams has a team like Denver, who was the 2 seed, drop down to 5. Going to be a fun year in the West and it's going to be the talk of the NBA season all year.
WESTERN STANDINGS
Los Angeles Clippers - 60-22
Houston Rockets - 58-24
Los Angeles Lakers - 55-27
Portland Trail Blazers - 52-30
Denver Nuggets - 50-32
Golden State Warriors - 50-32
Utah Jazz - 49-33
Oklahoma City Thunder - 44-38
San Antonio Spurs - 44-38
Dallas Mavericks - 42-40
New Orleans Pelicans - 39-43
Minnesota Timberwolves - 37-45
Sacramento Kings - 36-46
Memphis Grizzlies - 30-52
Phoenix Suns - 29-53
I have Milwaukee and Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals
I have a dream scenario of LA in the Western Conference Finals with both the Clipper and the Lakers fighting for a Finals birth.
As far as who wins, I have no idea and each of the 4 teams there have a chance and their reasons why they should win. The Bucks have the reigning MVP who now have a year like last under his belt and can learn from mistakes. Philadelphia is incredibly large and is going to give smaller teams fits, IF THEY CAN SCORE OUTSIDE. If healthy, their starting lineup has 4 player 6'9" or taller. We'll see if it works out or if it will backfire against smaller quicker teams.
Out West, it is a shootout but with the seeding as I have it, the Lakers would take out the Rockets before the Conference Finals. LeBron is on a mission and now has a top 5 weapon to ball with. The only thing that could hurt the Lakers, its depth and expectations. With the Clippers, they get 2 perennial MVP vote receivers and Leonard just came off a surprising NBA Finals Championship with less players than Paul George. How quick can these two figure it out? Also remember, Dock Rivers had the Boston Celtics playing some incredible defense and now he gets a former DPOTY recipient in Leonard and George who has been in the conversation many times. Defense win championships and Doc with these guys will be impressive.
