The NBA is almost four weeks in, and there seem to be some leaders standing out. The Brooklyn Nets just acquired James Harden in a blockbuster trade to boost them higher in the Eastern Conference standings. In the Western Conference, the Lakers are building off of their title last season and are atop the west. Here are our way too early playoff predictions:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics
From what we’ve seen this season the Celtics are the best all-around team in the league. They don’t have a clear-cut superstar so they aren’t necessarily the best team but they have three potential all-stars and a great supporting cast. Jaylen Brown is having a huge breakout season and along with Jayson Tatum is leading this team to a potential championship.
2. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have been very active these past few years trying to make acquisitions that could put this team in championship contention. In 2019 they signed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. On January 13th the Nets acquired James Harden in a mega-deal involving four teams. The downside of that deal is that the Nets traded away two starters and many future draft picks. It is still unclear how Harden will mesh with his new teammates but there are the makings of a super team in Brooklyn.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
So far in the season, Giannis Antetekoumpo is leading this team along with a good supporting cast including Khris Middleton and Donte DiVincenzo. The Bucks made a great addition this offseason in Jrue Holiday and look to stay in the title race.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have battled with COVID-19 more than any team this year with three positive tests but are handling it well. Joel Embiid currently looks like a clear All-Star and Ben Simmons is controlling the offense well. They also seem to have breakout players in rookie Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton. The Sixers also had a great offseason, including signing Dwight Howard and Seth Curry.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been a middle of the pack playoff team since their days with Paul George but this year they are looking to be something more. With a solid starting lineup and a good bench, they could be a force in the Eastern Conference. Even though they lost T.J. Warren to a foot injury they still have Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon to lead them.
6. Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are a very young team and haven’t had a good season in a couple of years. They had the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and chose LaMelo Ball, a good scorer with incredible passing skills. Over the offseason, the Hornets signed star small forward Gordon Hayward and it seems to be paying off. They have a great small-ball lineup including Terry Rozier and Devonte Graham.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs were a part of the Harden trade gaining Jarett Allen and Taurean Prince. They are a similar team to the Magic but they have a better supporting cast around Andre Drummond. They have lots of depth at the forward position including Kevin Love and Lamar Stevens. They also have Collin Sexton and Darius Garland at guard.
8. Orlando Magic
The Magic have a star. The problem is their supporting cast. They made decent moves in the offseason, drafting point guard Cole Anthony. They also re-signed a lot of good players including Michael Carter-Williams. But, two rising stars--Jonathan Issac and Mo Bamba are out for the season. Orlando got rid of DJ Augustin, and Markelle Fultz recently suffered a season-ending injury. Nikola Vucevic can’t do it all by himself.
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won the NBA Championship last year and are continuing where they left off. They still have two main stars--LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and they had a great offseason including adding Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell. They currently are staying at the top of the Los Angeles rivalry, ahead of the Clippers.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
After a disappointing finish in the second round of last year’s playoffs, they are fired up this year. Behind stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George they are hoping to regain their control of Los Angeles with an NBA title. They made some nice moves this past offseason acquiring Luke Kennard and Serge Ibaka. One dark spot was losing Montrezl Harrell to the Lakers but Ibaka fits the bill to replace him. Their roster overall is stronger than last year and they have a good chance to go deep into the playoffs.
3. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix hasn’t really been a powerhouse sports city yet. They are hoping to change that this year. The Suns made a bold move in the offseason, trading for star guard Chris Paul to mesh with young duo Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. Booker is in his prime, making his first All-Star game appearance last season and hoping to lead his team to the playoffs.
4. Utah Jazz
Like the Pacers, the Jazz has been a 4-6 seed playoff team for the last few years. Our prediction is that they will be about the same this year. They have a solid team with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell as the leaders but no one who can bring a team together and take them to a championship.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is picking up where he left off last year and still looks like a big MVP candidate. With Kristaps Porzingis back from an injury, these two should lead their team to the playoffs. In the offseason, the Mavericks made what looks to be a good move trading point guard Seth Curry to the 76ers for Josh Richardson. They also made out great resigning players; with Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Burke coming back. The Mavericks are definitely a contender.
6. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have a good all-around team but they don’t have the IT factor that carries a team to new heights. They seem to be still in the rebuilding process after losing Kawhi Leonard but are progressing very well. Dejounte Murray is having a breakout year and DeMar DeRozan has his usual solid numbers. The Spurs just need that star player as the last piece of the puzzle.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers didn’t have a big offseason; they didn’t sign or lose any key players. Last year, they were less successful than they should have been, with forwards Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins out with injuries. Portland is still dealing with injuries, Nurkic recently broke his wrist and is expected to be out for at least a month. CJ McCollum also recently suffered an injury; a sprained foot and he is also expected to be out for a month. In order to keep winning games, star point guard Damian Lillard will have to lead his team to victory.
8. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were a very good team last year but have taken a step back. This offseason they acquired Markus Howard and JaMychal Green which will help them, but they lost Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant which will hurt them more. They have two very good players in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic but really need some help at the guard spot if they are going to make a run in the playoffs.