Just like the new school year, the new NBA season brings excitement for all. Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for their Championship this past Spring. SGA and Team did a wonderful job against the Pacers. Scary thought, the Thunder are young and their core will be together for next the several years. The League is on notice. Sam Presti (and brain trust) showed with picking the proper draft picks, smart trades and signing the correct free agents, there’s certainly more than one way to win an NBA championship. Depth is the ultimate answer. In this era of the updated salary cap, the time of the ‘big three’ may be fading fast. Growing together as a Team certainly puts things in the correct direction.

For the most part, the Eastern conference is slightly open for Teams to make a push to the playoffs and in the top four. Boston and Indiana will take a back seat this season and Teams like Orlando and Detroit will move up in the standings. New York and Cleveland will battle for the top spots; however, this could be a fun season for everyone in the conference as they position themselves for the post season.

In the Western Conference, as usual, Teams got even tougher. This is a result to make a run at the Tunder. The Denver Nuggets made moves to solidify their starting line up and bench. The Mavericks will continue to pursue a deep playoff push, as will the Clippers, Timberwolves and the young guns in San Antonio. The Rockets add the possible missing piece in Kevin Durant and Luka will lead the Lakers with LeBron. We can’t forget Steph and the Warriors as they’re always a threat.

Welcome to the new season as the competition will heat up in both conferences! Let’s go!

Predictions for the season…
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
Defensive: Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)
Most Improved: Matas Buzelis (Chicago)
Sixth Man: Jordan Clarkson (New York)
Coach: Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City)
Rookie: Cooper Flagg  (Dallas)
Rookies of note: Dylan Harper (San Antonio), Ace Bailey (Utah), Jase Richardson (Orlando), Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami)

Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Miami Heat
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Atlanta Hawks
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Chicago Bulls
10. Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Denver Nuggets
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Houston Rockets
8. Los Angeles Lakers
9. San Antonio Spurs
10. Sacramento Kings

Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks/Orlando Magic
Eastern Conference Winner: New York Knicks
Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder/Dallas Mavericks
Western Conference Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA CHAMPIONS: Oklahoma City Thunder