2018-’19 NBA Predictions To Feed The Ego

“The game is rigged, but you cannot lose if you do not play.” — Marla Daniels, The Wire

This is literally just a list of predictions for awards/playoff seeding/etc. ahead of the start of the NBA season tonight, just so I have a place where it’s saved. It’s an ego thing.

• MVP: Anthony Davis
• Rookie of the Year: Luka Doncic
• Sixth Man of the Year: Terry Rozier
• Defensive Player of the Year: Joel Embiid
• Most Improved Player: Brandon Ingram
• Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens
• Executive of the Year: Magic Johnson

Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Celtics
2. Toronto Raptors
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Indiana Pacers
6. Washington Wizards
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Miami Heat

Western Conference:

1. Golden State Warriors
2. Houston Rockets
3. Utah Jazz
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. New Orleans Pelicans
6. Los Angeles Lakers
7. Portland Trail Blazers*
8. Denver Nuggets

*As of this writing; this is assuming Minnesota trades Jimmy Butler at any point through the trade deadline. If the Wolves get a full, ornery season out of him, slot them right into that very 7-seed.

FINALS: Warriors over Celtics in six games, because a fleeing Kevin Durant is a bored, relatively ineffective Kevin Durant.