The 2019-2020 NBA season was wild, to say the least. From the pause in action due to the pandemic, the playoffs with no fans at a mutual court, etc., it was maybe the most unusual season in history. As we look forward to the 2020 season, we hope it is as normal as possible. Normal or not, we are still blessed to be able to watch basketball, even if we aren’t able to sit in the stands.
The NBA Season will be very entertaining due to some major roster shake-ups throughout the league. Kevin Durant and Kyrie healthy in Brooklyn, James Harden and Russell Westbrook likely to be on different teams, Phoenix finally finding the Point Guard they needed in Chris Paul, we even get to see LaMelo Ball play, as it felt like just yesterday he was a freshman in High School at Chino Hills. The list goes on. Every new season brings one thing, predictions. Here are my 2020-2021 NBA season predictions, some bold, some not.
Brooklyn Dominates the East
We didn’t get to see much from the new-look Nets last year, as Kevin Durant was out for the year after rupturing his achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. I think people forgot how dominate KD is. He is one of, if not the best scorer ever, and paired along with another 25 point a night guy in Kyrie Irving, this team is going to be fun to watch. I think people are questioning how successful these two will pair with each other, as it is now apparent that Irving can be difficult to play with. I think these two will be just fine together, leading this Brooklyn Nets team.
You can’t overthink their surrounding cast, either. Forward Caris LaVert averaged 18.7 PPG last season, and can definitely be a great #3 option behind Kyrie and KD. Also with Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan roaming the paint, it will be difficult to get any free buckets against this team. They also added some nice bench pieces, in Landry Shamet, Jeff Green and Bruce Brown. Adding those nice role players along with guys like Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris already coming off their bench, this will be a difficult team to stop. They will have to get passed teams like Milwaukee, Boston, Philly, Miami and Toronto, but the one-two punch of Kyrie and KD and all the bench depth they have, it will be difficult for other teams to beat them out for the number one spot in the East.
LaMelo Ball Will Disappoint
LaMelo Ball was one of the most hyped up players going into the draft, as he was drafted 3rd overall to the Charlotte Hornets. He is maybe one of the best passers coming into the league since his brother, Lonzo Ball, who was drafted back in 2017. Although he showed to be a fantastic playmaker with great size at 6’7″ when he played overseas, he literally can not shoot. We are in a game where it is difficult to run an offense when your Point Guard can’t consistently shoot the three. LaMelo averaged 17.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and about 7 assists in his time overseas. Despite those pretty impressive numbers, he shot an abysmal 25% from 3, attempting about 7 a game. LaMelo also only shot 37% from the field attempting upwards of 17 shots a game. Those are not stats you want to see from your franchise Point Guard.
Unlike his brother, Lonzo, LaMelo is very lazy on defense. I believe he will struggle to guard most guards in the league, and it will make it difficult for Hornet’s coach James Borrego to keep him on the floor. I am personally a fan of LaMelo Ball. Maybe eventually he will be a solid player in the NBA, just not right now.
Trae Young Will Lead the Hawks to The Postseason
Despite almost averaging 30 PPG last season, Trae Young couldn’t manage to get the Hawks over the hump. Atlanta has made some nice moves this offseason, though. Adding Bogdan Bogdanovic to their roster, along with Danilo Gallinari and Rajon Rondo. Here is their potential starting 5 and role players next season:
Backcourt – Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Frontcourt – De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela
Bench – Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, Rajon Rondo, Cam Reddish, Onyeka Okungwu
Looks like a playoff team to me, even in the Eastern Conference. Trae Young has been tasked to perform with poor teammates around him so far in his career, but with a nice roster the front office has put together, I think he can lead this team to at least an 8 seed.
Award Predictions
Before we look at my prediction for the NBA Champion, here are my 2020-2021 NBA Award predictions.
MVP – LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Voter’s fatigue has prevented LeBron from winning his 5th MVP, but his 2020-2021 campaign will be so impressive the voters will have no choice but to give it to the King.
DPOY – Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
Some would say Anthony Davis got snubbed from this award, as Giannis Antetokounmpo won it last year. Davis will average upwards of 3 blocks and will win Defensive Player of the Year.
ROTY – James Wiseman (Golden State Warriors)
The Warriors have been weak at the Center position for the past few years now, but I believe they have found a star in James Wiseman. With a relatively weak draft class this year, I think Wiseman wins Rookie of the Year with ease, averaging close to a double-double.
6MOTY – Dennis Schroder (Los Angeles Lakers)
The Lakers will dominate the NBA awards show, as I believe Schroder will be their 3rd player to win an award. He will most likely be backing up LeBron at Point Guard, and it is tough to find another player like him that will be coming off the bench next season.
MIP – Lonzo Ball (New Orleans Pelicans)
Lonzo Ball took a nice step forward last season, proving he can be a top-tier defender in the league. He will improve his 3 point shot and take home the Most Improved Player Award.
COTY – Rick Carlisle (Dallas Mavericks)
This is just a gut feeling. I believe Luka Doncic and the Mavericks will compete for the top spot in the West, and Coach Carlisle will be rewarded with the Coach of the Year award.
The 2020-2021 NBA Champions Will Be…
The Los Angeles Lakers, again.
It’s hard to find a roster more complete than the Lakers. They added reigning winner and runner-up of the Sixth Man of the Year award, Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder. They also added sharpshooter Wesley Matthews to come off their bench.
The tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis seemed to be virtually unstoppable in the NBA Playoffs last year. I do not expect anything to change. They will be challenged by teams like the Clippers, the Nets and Milwaukee, but I don’t think any of these teams stack up well against the Lakers personal. This isn’t that bold of a pick, but I don’t see another direction to go, the Lakers are the best team in the league with the best player in LeBron James.
I am very much looking forward to this upcoming season. Although my Detroit Pistons will most likely be at the bottom of the league, it will still definitely be an entertaining season to follow.
Let’s hope for an exciting and uniterrupted 2020-2021 NBA Season.