The Golden State Warriors were crowned last Friday as champions of the NBA after defeating the Boston Celtics on the road. It was the Warriors’ 4th title in 8 years and a defining win for Steph Curry’s legacy to equal Lebron’s current tally. However, it didn’t take long for basketball fans to start salivating about next season and who will come out on top to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. In this article, we will make our predictions without knowing the outcome of the draft and free agency which could reshape fosters. After highlighting this clause, let’s have some fun!
Number 5-Los Angeles Clippers
This was a tough pick because an argument can be made for Luka leading the Mavericks after acquiring Christian Wood and making the Western Conference Finals. Another team to challenge could be the Phoenix Suns, who was the best regular-season team but folded in Game 7 against the Mavericks. However, I have selected the Clippers at number 5 because this team has the potential to finally fulfill their championship aspirations. The Clippers had a 42-40 winning record last season and fell in the play-in tournament to the Pelicans despite playing without their two-dynamic wings in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George erased the idea he could not perform in the playoffs when he almost brought them to the cusp of the NBA finals in 2021 against the Suns. Kawhi Leonard is a go-to scorer in crunch time, and the team has depth with Norman Powell, Reggie Jackson, Robert Covington, and a young sensation from their last playoff run in Terrence Mann. The team is well-coached by Ty Lue, who brings championship experience, a great strategic mind, and a motivator. If they are healthy, I expect the Clippers to be the best team in Los Angeles and contend in the West. Expect a lot of Steve Ballmer fired up on camera!
Number 4- Memphis Grizzlies
The NBA needs to look out for the Grizzlies to take another leap. In the 2020-21 season, they earned a 38-34 record with the young core defeating the Warriors in the play-in game but falling to the Jazz in five games. The team took another step this past season with Ja Morant becoming an emerging superstar with his incredible personality and jaw-dropping athleticism. The Grizzlies shocked the NBA by jumping 6 spots from number 8 to a number 2 seed by playing an exciting brand of basketball coupled with gritty defense. After getting eliminated by the Warriors in a series marred by the injury of Morant, I expect these young players to get even better. In the NBA, it is hard for a team to win right away with little experience. After taking their lumps from the Warriors, they may be ready to dish some out in the playoffs.
Number 3-Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks entered the 2021-2022 season as the defending NBA champions. The team finished with a creditable 51-31 record, and a 3rd place finish in the East standings. The team failed to repeat as champions because of the variables involved such as injury. Khris Middleton’s MCL injury affected the team’s performance putting a strain on Giannis to carry the team in the playoffs. However, he failed to lead his team out of the doldrums in Game 7 against the Celtics. I expect the Bucks to be back and ready to deliver in 2023. Time will tell if Giannis can order that 50-piece Mcnuggets next season!
Number 2-Boston Celtics
Despite the disappointment of losing, this was a great season for the Boston Celtics. The team was a revelation in turning their season around from a losing record to a number two seed. The franchise enjoyed success on the defensive end as one of the top teams in the league based on the most advanced metrics. After initial cries for breaking up the Jaylen and Jayson tandem, they went out and proved they thrive alongside each other. Whether the Celtics contend for the title and go all the way will depend on the owners spending into the tax to get a proven wing, point guard, and a big man to create more depth for the team. They will need to work on their handles and distributing the ball to minimize the turnovers. Yes, the blueprint is there for banner 18, and it will depend on management and players getting better. Ime Udoka will remind this team of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs, who proved that avenging a Finals loss is possible when the organization pulls in one direction.
Number 1-Golden State Warriors
The saying I believe in sports is that “to be the champ, you must beat the champ”. The Warriors earned the title despite several setbacks in the past few years. The Warriors possess a deadly combination of being great defensively and elite offensively. The Warriors go into the 2023 season with their core three intact but could lose Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole being free agents. It will be interesting to see if the owner pays the heavy tax bill to resign these two young players. Wiggins was tremendous against Jayson Tatum in the NBA Finals, and Jordan Poole is on the trajectory of being the face of the franchise when Curry steps aside. The Warriors expect James Wiseman to be ready at some point next season, and when healthy, he provides additional length and presence in the paint. Also, I expect Klay Thompson’s quickness and sharpness to be even better with the ability to have a full off-season program. Yes, back-to-back championship may be on the cards for the first time since…the Warriors did it!
Feedback: What do you think of this list? Let me know in the comments section.
1 Comment
Comments are closed.