As the National Basketball Association (NBA) begins its 75th regular season Oct. 19, our sports staff gave our predictions for this season. Each staff member predicted conference standings, player awards and the two teams who will represent each conference in the 2022 NBA Finals.
Ian Hansen
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Miami Heat
Indiana Pacers
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Western Conference:
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers
Utah Jazz
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
New Orleans Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
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Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Finals: Nets over Nuggets in 5
Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Rookie of the Year: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Most Improved Player of the Year: Kevin Porter Jr, Houston Rockets
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Everybody’s “most likely” NBA predictions almost never happen. With the Ben Simmons turmoil, a weird Celtics roster make up and an improved Bulls roster, I see a completely different standings than we are used to. I think the Western Conference remains somewhat the same. I see the Nuggets making the biggest jump and making it to the NBA Finals. I can’t go against last season’s MVP or a healthy Nets team. The Nets should get over the hump of last season and win the championship.
Charleston Bowles
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Atlanta Hawks
Chicago Bulls
Indiana Pacers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Boston Celtics
Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference:
Utah Jazz
Los Angeles Lakers
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Phoenix Suns
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
Los Angeles Clippers
Sacramento Kings
Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Finals Prediction: Lakers over Nets in 7
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Rookie of the Year: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Most Improved Player: Michael Porter Jr, Denver Nuggets
Sixth Man of the Year: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Coach of the Year: Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets
Runner Up: Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
I was inclined to pick somebody other than the Nets to win the Eastern Conference, but the dynamic of Kevin Durant and James Harden is too good on paper. Regardless of the Kyrie Iriving situation, I believe Brooklyn has enough firepower to hold off the likes of the Heat and Bucks, barring injury. I believe the Utah Jazz will enter the playoffs as the number one seed for the second consecutive season, but lose in the second round to the Golden State Warriors. In a throwback Stephen Curry against Lebron James playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals and advance to the NBA Finals. In closing, I believe LeBron and the Lakers earn their second championship in three years to cap off the NBA’s 75th season.
Connor Granlund
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference:
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks
New Orleans Pelicans
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Finals Prediction: Brooklyn Nets over Lakers in 6
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant
Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham
Most Improved Player: Michael Porter Jr.
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson
Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle
It might seem like a generic pick to say Nets vs. Lakers for the 2022 NBA Finals. However, the talent is simply undeniable for both teams. Barring any injuries and Kyrie Irving’s impending vaccine decision, the Brooklyn Nets seem primed to make a finals push out of the Eastern Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers were the talk of the offseason when they overhauled their roster, adding superstar Russell Westbrook and a slew of aging role players to try to take home their record eighteenth NBA Championship. However, the cohesion and talent of the Nets is undeniable, making them my pick as the 2022 NBA Champions.
Daniel Kehn
Eastern Conference:
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Brooklyn Nets
3. Boston Celtics
4. Miami Heat
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Philadelphia 76ers
7. New York Knicks
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Charlotte Hornets
10. Indiana Pacers
Western Conference:
1. Denver Nuggets
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Golden State Warriors
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Phoenix Suns
6. Portland Trailblazers
7. San Antonio Spurs
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Finals Prediction: Lakers over Bulls in 5
Most Valuable Player: Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Sixth Man of the Year: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Coach of the Year: Ime Udoka, Boston Celtics
Let’s get this out of the way, I don’t watch the NBA and I certainly do not follow it as much as other sports. However, I like to think I still have what I like to call ‘Athletic Insight’. The Celtics have been underwhelming in recent years, but first-year coach Ime Udoka will win coach of the year after jumpstarting the team. I believe Tyler Herro will regain a little bit of his hot streak from the 2020 NBA bubble, and Zion Williamson will finally have an unbothered season where he can dominate. Cade Cunningham will do what he can in a mediocre Pistons organization, and Anthony Davis will become a defensive powerhouse in the retooled Lakers lineup. Finally, Luka Dončić will win MVP for carrying the Mavericks into the postseason. The Bulls, yes, I just said the Bulls will make it to the NBA Finals after beating the Nets in the conference finals. However, they will fall to the Lakers in five games and LeBron James will add another trophy to his Hall of Fame Career.
Derran Cobb
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference:
Utah Jazz
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets
Portland Trail Blazers
Minnesota Wolves
New Orleans Pelicans
NBA Finals Prediction: Warriors over Nets in 7
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Rookie of the Year: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Most Improved Player: Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
Coach of the Year: Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets
The outcome of the Western Conference is more up in the air with tougher competition, but I think the Warriors will get back to the top with the return of Klay Thompson and the supporting cast of Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole. I believe the Nets will overcome the absence of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will have an MVP season with veteran support in Blake Griffin, Patty Mills and Paul Millsap. I think the runner-ups in each conference will be the Lakers and the Bucks.
Kyle Smedley
Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee Bucks
Brooklyn Nets
Boston Celtics
Miami Heat
Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks
Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference:
Utah Jazz
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trailblazers
Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Finals Prediction: Utah Jazz over Brooklyn Nets
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year: Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers
Rookie of the Year: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Most Improved Player: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
Sixth Man of the Year: Dennis Schroder, Boston Celtics
Coach of the Year: Ime Udoka, Boston Celtics
I believe the Boston Celtics will be a standout team this season, which is why I have their first-year head coach Ime Udoka winning coach of the year and Dennis Schroder winning Sixth Man of The Year. I think Kevin Durant will prove once again why he belongs in the Greatest Player of All Time conversation. I expect the Rockets first round draft pick Jalen Green to flourish on a down team. I envision Lonzo Ball living up to his potential in Chicago, while Matisse Thybulle leads a seemingly lost 76ers team and wins Defensive Player of the Year. Lastly, I predict the Utah Jazz finally breaking through with their phenomenal defense and conquering the Lakers and Nets, who each are the common fan’s favorites to win the NBA Finals this season.
Nate Grubb
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Boston Celtics
Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
Dallas Mavericks
Portland Trail Blazers
Memphis Grizzlies
L.A. Clippers
Sacramento Kings
NBA Finals Prediction: Warriors over Bucks in 7
Most Valuable Player: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Rookie of the Year: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Most Improved Player: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Sixth Man of the Year: Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
The Bucks may have lost some pieces, but with arguably their biggest rival, the Brooklyn Nets, having one of their biggest pieces (Kyrie Irving) sidelined for the year potentially, Milwaukee is my favorite in the East. The West is loaded again, but the return of Klay Thompson helps pave the way for another Warriors title. If Thompson gets hurt again and Irving returns, I pick Brooklyn over Phoenix in 6.