2014-15 NBA Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2014-15 NBA season.

Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls (58-24)- Chicago and head coach Tom Thibodeau are poised to have a big season. Point guard and former MVP Derrick Rose is healthy and he's poised to return to MVP forum. Center Joakim Noah is looking to repeat his defensive player of the year performance. There are many young players such as winger Jimmy Butler looking to take the next step. The most underrated offseason acquisition was Chicago acquiring forward/center Pau Gasol. Rookie Doug McDermott is a sleeper for rookie of the year. Chicago has a chance at taking home a ton of awards this season. Look for this team to earn the east's top seed.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (55-27)- The leagues top storyline coming into the season is the homecoming of forward LeBron James and his new big three with point guard Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Love. This team will be an awesome offensive team and a horrible defensive team. Shooting guard Dion Waiters looks to make the next step as well. New head coach David Blatt should do a great job with this team. Another key for Cleveland is for center Anderson Varejo to stay healthy. Expect some big things for this Cleveland team this season.

3. Toronto Raptors (49-33)- Toronto is coming off a successful season in which they surprised everyone and won the Atlantic Division. Point guard Kyle Lowry is back after signing a long-term contract in the offseason. Center Jonas Valanciunas is poised to take his game to another level and guard DeMar DeRozan looks to build on a strong season from a year ago. Expect another Atlantic Division crown for Toronto.

4. Miami Heat (47-35)- Perhaps the Eastern Conference's biggest wild card, Miami (despite losing the leagues best player in free agency) is looking to have a respectable season. Forward/center Chris Bosh is Miami's new offensive center piece and new additions such as forwards Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts look to make an impact this season. Guard Dwayne Wade has declined the past few seasons and it's interesting to see what his game will be like going forward. Expect Miami to win the Southeast Division as well too.

5. Washington Wizards (46-36)- Washington is a team that's clearly on the rise that has a bright future. Point guard John Wall is poised to take his game to an elite level after a great season last year. Guard Bradley Beal will miss the first few weeks of the season with a broken wrist, which is a big blow. Forward Paul Pierce will bring leadership to this team that they need. Center Marcin Gortat is back after after signing a long-term contract in the offseason. The Beal injury might cost this team a few wins, which is why I don't see a top four finish.

6. New York Knicks (45-37)- The Knicks are going to be fascinating to watch this season. New team president Phil Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher look to bring a new identity to this team immediately. Forward Carmelo Anthony is back after signing a long-term contract in the offseason. Second year guard Tim Hardaway Jr looks to make the next step after a fine rookie season. Guards Iman Shumpert and JR Smith look to bounce back after rough seasons. Point guard Jose Calderon is an upgrade from Raymond Felton, who was traded to Dallas with center Tyson Chandler. Chandler's presence will be missed big time. Look for the Knicks to exceed expectations this season, despite their issues on defense.

7. Charlotte Hornets (44-38)- Charlotte surprised everyone last season and made the playoffs. This season they look to make the next step. Charlotte snagged shooting guard Lance Stephenson in free agency. Point guard Kemba Walker and center Al Jefferson look to build off nice seasons from a year ago. Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist looks to make the next step after showing some promise last year. This should be an interesting team to watch going forward. Look for another playoff appearance for Charlotte.

8. Brooklyn Nets (44-38)- Brooklyn is another wild card in this Eastern Conference. Brooklyn has arguably got worse this offseason after losing forward Paul Pierce and back up point guard Shaun Livingston in free agency. Center Brook Lopez is coming off foot surgery and point guard Deron Williams is coming off two ankle surgeries. Forward Kevin Garnett is aging as well. Brooklyn upgraded at the head coaching position with Lionel Hollins after former head coach/new Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd tried to attempt a power play with Brooklyn's front office and then he ended up in Milwaukee. Expect Brooklyn to exceed expectations as well.

9. Atlanta Hawks (41-41)- Atlanta had a tumultuous offseason, in which general manager Danny Ferry made inappropriate comments about then free agent Luol Deng. Center Al Horford is returning from a shoulder injury. Forward Paul Milsap is in a contract year. Point guard Jeff Teague looks to build on a nice campaign from a year ago. Second year point guard Dennis Schröder looks to make the next step. This team can absolutely make the post season, but with other teams such as Charlotte and Washington improving and uncertainty around this team, expect them to fall short.

10. Detroit Pistons (38-44)- Detroit is a fascinating team to watch this season. New head coach/team president Stan Van Gundy will do everything he can to turn this team around. Center Andre Drummond looks poised to take the next step. Detroit May trade either forward/center Greg Monroe or forward Josh Smith. Point guard Brandon Jennings looks to redeem himself after last season. Although I don't think they'll make the playoffs, they'll be significantly better than last year.

11. Indiana Pacers (36-46)- Who would've thought Indiana would go from title contenders to lottery bound in a one year span? No one had a worse offseason than Indiana, especially after they limped their way to the playoffs after collapsing late in the regular season and almost lost in both the first and second rounds. Forward Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury in a Team USA scrimmage. Guard Lance Stephenson bolted Indiana for Charlotte in free agency. Indiana should trade forward David West and center Roy Hibbert because they know that this is going to be a lost season without George.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (30-52)- Milwaukee has a chance to be this years surprise team. To see what new head coach Jason Kidd does with this team will be interesting. Rookie forward Jabari Parker is the early favorite for rookie of the year. Second year guard/forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to take the next step. Center Larry Sanders looks to stay healthy this season and have a good year. Milwaukee will be much better than last year, but don't expect them to make the playoffs.

13. Boston Celtics (28-54)- This will be another rebuilding season in Boston. Point guard Rajon Rondo is in a contract year and Boston will look to trade him to a contender. Rookie point guard Marcus Smart is a sleeper for rookie of the year. Second year forward/center Kelly Olynyk looks to build on a promising rookie season. Boston will also look to trade forward Jeff Green and guard Gerald Wallace at some point this season. Look for another long season in Boston.

14. Orlando Magic (24-58)- It is now year three of the Orlando rebuild. Second year guard Victor Oladipo looks to take the next step after a nice rookie season, but Oladipo will miss the first month of the season with a facial fracture. Rookie point guard Elfrid Payton is a sleeper candidate for rookie of the year. Forward Tobias Harris is in a contract year so expect him to have a big season. Head coach Jacque Vaughn is on the hot seat so don't be surprised to see a coaching change in Orlando.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (18-64)- Philadelphia is the worst team in the league and it might not be close. point guard/reigning rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams is looking to build off a strong rookie campaign. Center Nerlens Noel, who missed his rookie season last season with a torn ACL, is a sleeper for rookie of the year. Rookie center Joel Embiid will miss the season with a fractured foot. This is a horrible team that has a bright future.

Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs (57-25)- The defending NBA champions are poised for something they've never done. San Antonio has never won back to back championships and I believe that can do that this season. Forward/reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is poised to take the next step. This can be the final season for forward/center Tim Duncan and/or guard Manu Ginobili. Point guard Tony Parker is still one of the leagues bests. Expect big things for head coach Gregg Popovich and company.

2. Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)- New owner Steve Ballmer is poised to become one of the NBA's best owners. Head coach/president is poised to take his team to another level. Forward Blake Griffin and point guard Chris Paul are two of the leagues top ten players and will both be in the MVP conversation. The Clippers upgraded their bench this offseason by signing forward/center Spencer Hawes and point guard Jordan Farmar. Expect big things for the Clippers in year one of the Ballmer era.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27)- Forward Kevin Durant will miss six to eight weeks with a fractured foot. That's a gigantic blow, but it gives point guard Russell Westbrook a great opportunity to show that he can be the number one option on a team. Guard Reggie Jackson looks to build off a nice year from a year ago. Second year center Steven Adams looks to build off his fine rookie season. This is a critical year for Oklahoma City and head coach Scott Brooks is on the hot seat.

4. Golden State Warriors (54-28)- Golden State is a fascinating and fun team to keep an eye on this year. Former head coach Mark Jackson and new head coach Steve Kerr is in. Point guard Stephen Curry is poised to make his way into the MVP conversation. Winger Klay Thompson is in a contract year. Forward Harrison Barnes looks to finally take the next step after a disappointing year last year. Like I said, Golden State will be fun to watch this season.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)- Portland surprised many people last season and made the second round of the playoffs. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge is healthy and in a contract year. Point guard Damian Lillard is poised to take his game to a new level. Portland upgraded their bench by bringing in back up point guard Steve Blake and back up center Chris Kaman. Expect Portland to build off a successful season from a year ago.

6. Houston Rockets (53-29)- Houston's expectations are significantly lower than they were a year ago. The team lost forward Chandler Parsons in free agency and struck out with attempting to sign Miami forward Chris Bosh. They got rid of point guard Jeremy Lin and forward/center Omer Asik in order to attempt to bring back Parsons and sign Bosh. There is so much pressure on guard James Harden and center Dwight Howard to take this team to the next level. Head coach Kevin McHale is on the hot seat.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (51-31)- Memphis is an interesting team to watch this season. Center Marc Gasol is entering a contract year. Point guard Mike Conley is one of the leagues more underrated players. Forward Quincy Pondexter is returning from injury. Forward Zach Randolph is back after singing a contract extension in the offseason. Head coach Dave Joerger is back after nearly becoming Minnesota's coach. Expect another playoff appearance for Memphis.

8. Dallas Mavericks (50-32)- Dallas had a great offseason. They acquired center Tyson Chandler from the Knicks, even though they send point guard Jose Calderon in the trade. Dallas also snagged forward Chandler Parsons in free agency. Guard Monte Ellis is looking to build on a nice season from a year ago. Forward Dirk Nowitzki has the most help he's had in a long time. Expect Dallas to be back in the playoffs again.

9. Phoenix Suns (48-34)- Phoenix shocked everyone last year and almost made the playoffs. Point guard Eric Bledsoe signed a long-term contract extension to remain in Phoenix as well as forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris. Phoenix also snagged point guard Isaiah Thomas in free agency to improve their bench. Point guard Goran Dragic is in a contract year. Phoenix also signed Goran's brother Zoran in free agency too. This is going to be a fun team to watch, but expect Phoenix to fall short.

10. Denver Nuggets (45-37)- Denver is looking to rebound from a disappointing season from a year ago in which they were decimated by injuries. Forward Kenneth Faried looks to take the next step after a great World Cup performance for Team USA this past summer. Forward Danilo Gallinari and point guard Ty Lawson look to stay healthy a full season. If they do, this can be a playoff team. This should be a decent team, but expect them to fall short of the playoffs.

11. New Orleans Pelicans (43-39)- Expectations are awfully high for this New Orleans team. Forward Anthony Davis looks to take his game to an elite level after a breakout season a year ago. Point guard Jrue Holiday looks to bounce back after an injury plagued season. The addition of center Omer Asik will be big for this team defensively and if they want to take the next step. Guards Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans can potentially be trade bait. This will be a fun team to watch, but they are a year away from bigger and better things.

12. Sacramento Kings (30-52)- Sacramento is an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. Center DeMarcus Cousins looks to take his game to another level. They down graded at point guard from Isaiah Thomas to Darren Collison. Forward Rudy Gay is in a contract year. The bench is another weak spot for this team. Sacramento is certainly a candidate to be involved in a blockbuster trade this season. Expect Sacramento to be better than last season.

13. Los Angeles Lakers (28-54)- The Lakers are a big wild card in this Western Conference. Guard Kobe Bryant is returning from a fractured knee and Bryant's days as an elite player is gone for sure though. Point guard Steve Nash is out for the season with a back injury. The Lakers have a bunch of overrated players on their roster such as point guard Jeremy Lin and forward Carlos Boozer. Rookie forward Julius Randle is a sleeper for rookie of the year. This team should be better than last year, but the record won't show it.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (26-56)- Minnesota is entering a new era after trading forward Kevin Love to Cleveland for the number one pick in the draft, winger Andrew Wiggins. Minnesota also got forward Anthony Bennett, who had a disappointing rookie campaign in the Love trade. Point guard Ricky Rubio is in a contract year, so look for him to have a nice season. Center Nikola Pekovic could potentially be trade bait. Expect a long year in Minnesota.

15. Utah Jazz (23-59)- Utah is a team on the rise, but I think their a year or two away from making some noise. New head coach Quin Snyder looks to bring a new identity to this team. Forward Gordon Hayward is back after signing a long-term contract. Second year point guard Trey Burke looks to build on a nice rookie year. Forwards Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter look to take the next step after showing promise last season. As I said, the future is bright, but it will be a few years.

2015 NBA Playoffs

Quarterfinals
(E1) Chicago Bulls over (E8) Brooklyn Nets in six games.
(E2) Cleveland Cavaliers over (E7) Charlotte Hornets in five games.
(E3) Toronto Raptors over (E6) New York Knicks in seven games.
(E5) Washington Wizards over (E4) Miami Heat in seven games.
(W1) San Antonio Spurs over (W8) Dallas Mavericks in seven games.
(W2) Los Angeles Clippers over (W7) Memphis Grizzlies in seven games.
(W3) Oklahoma City Thunder over (W6) Houston Rockets in five games.
(W4) Golden State Warriors over (W5) Portland Trail Blazers in seven games.

Semi-Finals
(E1) Chicago Bulls over (E5) Washington Wizards in seven games.
(E2) Cleveland Cavaliers over (E3) Toronto Raptors in five games.
(W1) San Antonio Spurs over (W4) Golden State Warriors in six games.
(W2) Los Angeles Clippers over (W3) Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.

Conference Finals
(E1) Chicago Bulls over (E2) Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
(W1) San Antonio Spurs over (W2) Los Angeles Clippers in seven games.

Finals
(E1) Chicago Bulls over (W1) San Antonio Spurs in seven games.