Ty's 2022 - 2023 NBA Season Preview: Playoff Predictions
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Today I have my 22-23 NBA playoff and awards for you all. I just finished my countdown, so this is the next logical step for me. I also love doing this to see how wrong I am at the end of the season. Let's start with the East.
There are three teams at the top, a cluster in the middle and then some fighting for the play in. The East is not as good as the West, but it is a much improved conference. The three teams at the top, from 1-3 I have the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers. I understand the 76ers haven't won yet, but I do not put a whole lot of stock into three games. They need to start winning now, and I fully believe they will. The next three teams that will firmly be in the playoffs, from 4-6 I have the Heat, Cavs and Nets. I do think the Nets will squeak in, I love the Hawks offseason and I'm tired of sleeping on the Heat. They are always good and they always find a way to win. To round out the playoffs I now have the play in teams. From 7-10 I got the Raptors, Bulls, Wizards and Knicks. I really wanted to pick the Pistons, but I think they are a year away. As for the play in, I got the Raptors beating the Knicks to grab the 7 seed and the Bulls winning two to get the 8th seed.
Now for the East playoffs. The Bucks will once again sweep the Bulls in round one. The 4-5 will be pretty fun. The Heat are the old standby and the Cavs are new and fun. I do like the Cavs to win this series in seven, but it will be tough and hard fought. The 3-6 will see the 76ers beat the Nets in six. Kevin Durant is good enough to get two wins, but Kyrie Irving is a flake and who knows what they will get from Ben Simmons. In the 2-7, the Celtics will beat the Hawks, but it will be closer than we all think. I think the Celtics will win in six, but each game will be close and fun to watch. The semi finals will feature the Bucks facing the Cavs and the Celtics facing the 76ers. I like the Bucks in 5 over the Cavs and the 76ers, I will probably regret this pick, over the Celtics in seven. Then I have the Bucks kind of cruising in the East Finals. The 76ers will be tired and the Bucks will be fresh. And Giannis is just that good. The Bucks will represent the East.
Now for the varsity, the Western Conference. The West is going to be an absolute bloodbath. The conference, for the most part, only got better this offseason. My 1-3 teams are the Clippers, Warriors and Suns. These three teams are loaded, deep, talented and one is the reigning champs. They are so good. As for 4-6, firmly in the playoffs, I have the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Mavs. Two of these teams I cannot stand, and obviously I love the Grizz. I do believe all three of these teams will have 50 plus wins too. That is how deep the West is this season. When we talk about the play in, from 7-10 I have the Timberwolves, Pelicans, Trailblazers and, I do not know who to pick between the Kings and Lakers, I guess I will go with the Kings. In the 7-10 matchup the Timberwolves will cruise to the 7 seed. And the 8 seed will end up being the Pelicans again. They are too fun to not pick.
As for the playoffs now, in the 1-8 the Clippers will beat the Pels in five games. It will be a good series, but the Clippers depth is too much. The 4-5 will feature the Nuggets taking on my Grizzlies. I really, really want to pick the Grizzlies. I love that team so much. But with Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray all back, I unfortunately have to go with the Nuggets in seven. Prove me wrong Grizz. The 3-6 will feature a West semis rematch between the Suns and Mavs. I have the Suns exacted a bit of revenge and winning this series in seven games. The 2-7 will have the Warriors taking down the Timberwolves in six. The Warriors have too much firepower. In the West semis we will have the Clippers taking on the Nuggets and the Warriors playing the Suns. These are two series that should be a ton of fun. I think the Clippers will dispatch of the Nuggets in six games. This should be revenge for the bubble. And the Suns will find a way to beat the Warriors. I think the Warriors will be tired by the time they get here, and it is hard to repeat in pro sports. As for the West Finals I have the Clippers taking down the Suns in six games. Again, the Clippers depth is otherworldly and Kawhi is a playoff killer. I also think the Suns will be spent. The Clippers are the West champs.
That means I have the Bucks facing the Clippers in the NBA Finals. I think Giannis will get his second ring. He is just that good and I think we will all be reminded this season. I have the Bucks winning in six games. Giannis will be the Finals MVP as well.
Now let's do the regular season awards. MVP is going to be Joel Embiid. Once he fully takes over the team he will be unstoppable. Coach of the Year is going to Chris Finch from Minnesota. They are going to be a very good team this season. Defensive Player of the Year is going to be Evan Mobley. He is going to be tremendous all over the floor this season, but especially on defense. Sixth Man of the Year is going to be Jordan Poole. He is going to blow up even more this season. And finally, my Rookie of the Year is Paolo Banchero. I have not seen a rookie so ready to compete in a long time. He is the real deal.
There it is, my 22-23 NBA playoff and awards predictions. Let's see how this all unfolds now.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.