With the 2020-21 NBA season tipping off on December 22nd, this season will provide a lot of uncertainty. Aside from the current COVID-19 pandemic, there will be plenty of other storylines throughout the campaign.
2021 NBA Rookie of the Year
The incoming rookie class is a rather unique one, as we have been granted less workouts and individual profiles than ever before. While there will ultimately be gems, who will make an immediate impact at the next level?
George Hathaway: LaMelo Ball
He played one year professional overseas already, so he has experience playing against older players. Being the go-to guard with the Hornets, Ball is one of the better passers in the 2020 Draft class. He is able to create space for himself to get an open shot, and is also able to get the ball around the court to create better opportunities for teammates.
Isaiah Hansen: LaMelo Ball
While he has his flaws that he may need to work on, Ball is going to be the face of the franchise in Charlotte. He is going to have the most opportunities to make things happen. Ball has shown the ability to pass and could become a decent three-point shooter this season with some “seasoning”.
Billy Sakmann: James Wiseman
Surrounded by elite talent in Golden State, Wiseman has the opportunity to be a complimentary piece. While the Warriors were once shopping the #2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, they’ll be glad they didn’t follow through.
2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Anteokounmpo came away with his first Defensive Player of the Year award last season, setting the standard for elite play. With a new season on the horizon, is there anyone that can overthrow the reigning two-way threat?
George Hathaway: Anthony Davis
Arguably snubbed from last year’s DPOY award, Davis will continue to play at a high level. His ability to switch on defense and play on the perimeter is unlike most big men in the NBA. Davis can go out and use his lateral quickness to switch off with a guard and still play great defense. Even with a shorter offseason, Davis will carry that momentum over from the NBA Finals and into the start in December.
Isaiah Hansen: Kawhi Leonard
Fresh off one of the most spectacular collapses and falls from the grave in NBA history, if Leonard decides he has something to prove, he has the ability to win this award. Leonard knows he has some legacy repairing to do. If he ditches load management, this is a wise selection.
Billy Sakmann: Anthony Davis
I think Davis should have won last season, and will improve on his 2.3 blocks per game from last season; the lowest its been since the 2016 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. As an elite two-way talent, Davis should be able to remain as a crucial piece to the success the Lakers have found.
2021 NBA MVP Odds
Once again, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Anteokounmpo has dominated another accolade over the last two seasons. With back-to-back MVP’s under his belt, a third consecutive award would mark the first time its happened since Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird did so from 1983-86.
George Hathaway: Luka Doncic
He was the Rookie of the Year in 2018 and is one of the promising young stars in the NBA. Doncic last season averaged 26 points and 9 rebounds per game. On top of that, he lead the NBA in triple-doubles with 17 throughout last season. He certainly has changed the Dallas Mavericks, making them contenders since he’s been in the league. Although, they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Clippers; Doncic put up big numbers averaging 31 points and putting up two triple-doubles against the Clippers. He certainly is a favorite for next season.
Isaiah Hansen: Luka Doncic
This seems to be a part of the prophesy. Doncic has gotten better in his two years and is already considered a superstar. Doncic is going to have the ball in his hands and won’t not need to fight with anyone like Kevin Durant (potential candidate) to get touches.
Billy Sakmann: LeBron James
Giannis Anteokounmpo is unlikely to win the award again, and even with Anthony Davis as his co-star, the value LeBron James brings to the Los Angeles Lakers will be too much for voters to ignore. Last season, he averaged a career-high 10.2 assists.
Eastern Conference Outlook
The Eastern Conference provided plenty of surprises last season, as the Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals since the 2013-14 season. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards missed the playoffs for the second straight year due to linger injuries to John Wall.
George Hathaway:
- Brooklyn Nets
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Boston Celtics
- Miami Heat
- Toronto Raptors
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Atlanta Hawks
- Orlando Magic
Isaiah Hansen:
- Toronto Raptors
- Brooklyn Nets
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Indiana Pacers
- Washington Wizards
Billy Sakmann:
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- Toronto Raptors
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Indiana Pacers
- Washington Wizards
Western Conference Outlook
As expected, the Western Conference ran through the city of Los Angeles, as both the Lakers and Clippers remained contenders. However, the Denver Nuggets made an unexpected surge, reaching the Western Conference Semifinals.
George Hathaway:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- Phoenix Suns
- New Orleans Pelicans
Isaiah Hansen:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Denver Nuggets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Utah Jazz
- Golden State Warriors
- Portland Trail Blazers
- New Orleans Pelicans
Billy Sakmann:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Utah Jazz
- Houston Rockets
- Golden State Warriors
- Portland Trail Blazers
2021 NBA Finals Predictions
Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat managed to improve upon their respective rosters, but will that be enough to reach the NBA Finals once again?
George Hathaway: Los Angeles Lakers def. Brooklyn Nets
It’s no question that LeBron James’ Lakers will be in the conversation for the NBA Finals once again. With additions this offseason, the Lakers have certainly improved with Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder. With a dynamic duo centerpiece of James and Anthony Davis, they are heavy favorites again.
Isaiah Hansen: Los Angeles Lakers def. Brooklyn Nets
Unfortunately, it seems pretty obvious that the Lakers may go on back-to-back title runs. There simply isn’t a team at their level in terms of chemistry or talent that could knock them off at this point.
Billy Sakmann: Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics
The Milwaukee Bucks just can’t get over the hump in the playoffs, while the Nets remain an uncertainty. The well-rounded Celtics finally break through to the Finals. The West is less complicated, as the Lakers are the best team in the conference and got better in the offseason. The Lakers experience and talented roster prevails over the Celtics in six games.
Bold Predictions
Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, there were numerous surprises that occurred last season. The Denver Nuggets coming within reach of the NBA Finals, or the Philadelphia 76ers being swept in the first round last season would have both qualified as “bold predictions”. What is in store for the upcoming season?
George Hathaway: The New York Knicks will be a top 20 NBA team next season.
Isaiah Hansen: Obi Toppin has a quiet first season in New York. He has potential, but between his lacking defensive abilities and the crowded front court, Toppin may struggle early on.
Billy Sakmann: Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker will lead the NBA in scoring next season.
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