N.B.A. 2020-21 Predictions: LeBron vs. Luka for M.V.P.
AdvertisementContinue reading the main storySupported byContinue reading the main storyN.B.A. 2020-21 Predictions: LeBron vs. Luka for M.V.P.Our panel predicts a big year for the Nets and the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, a surprise from Damian Lillard, a Lakers repeat and a fierce battle among the rookies.Our predictors see a two-man race for the Most Valuable Player Award: LeBron James vs. Luka Doncic.Credit…Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports, via ReutersDec. 22, 2020, 3:00 a.m. ETThe last time the sports staff of The New York Times and assorted friends gathered to make the annual set of N.B.A. preseason predictions, we got some things right.Ahead of the 2019-20 season, several of us thought that Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks would repeat as the N.B.A.’s most valuable player. (Yawn.) Others predicted that the Oklahoma City Thunder would have a surprisingly successful season after a summer in which they traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, and that the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant would win the league’s Rookie of the Year Award over Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.But no one predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers would win the championship — let alone advance to the N.B.A. finals. (The Clippers were the unanimous choice to come out of the West.) Or that the Lakers’ title run would come after the arrival of something called the “coronavirus,” which would suspend the season for four months and before resuming in a spectator-free bubble at Walt Disney World outside Orlando, Fla.The point being: Predictions are difficult, and sometimes impossible. But that is not about to stop us from trying again.Here is a look at some of our highly unscientific picks and prognostications for the season ahead:(The New York Times does not permit its staff to vote for the official N.B.A. awards.)The predictors:Jonathan Abrams, sports reporterHarvey Araton, Hall of Fame sportswriterElena Bergeron, assistant sports editorJonah Bromwich, staff writerScott Cacciola, sports reporterSopan Deb, sports reporterEvan Easterling, senior staff editorShauntel Lowe, N.B.A. editorMarc Stein, Hall of Fame sports reporterMost Valuable PlayerPortland’s Damian Lillard could have a shot at the M.V.P. Award with a top-five finish for his Trail Blazers.Credit…Pool photo by Kevin C. CoxAbrams: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Araton: Luka Doncic (Mavericks)Bergeron: LeBron James (Lakers)Bromwich: Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)Cacciola: Stephen Curry (Warriors)Deb: LeBron James (Lakers)Easterling: Luka Doncic (Mavericks)Lowe: LeBron James (Lakers)Stein: Luka Doncic (Mavericks)Why Curry? “He’s back. The Warriors won’t be title contenders without Klay Thompson. But they’ll be in the thick of the playoff race with Curry putting on nightly shows.” — CacciolaWhy Lillard? “The smart pick here is Kevin Durant or Luka Doncic, but I love Lillard, everyone else loves Lillard and if the Blazers crack the top five in the West, he’s got a great chance at it.” — BromwichRookie of the YearThere’s no consensus winner for rookie of the year, but Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball has been fun to watch during the preseason.Credit…John Raoux/Associated PressAbrams: Obi Toppin (Knicks)Araton: Immanuel Quickley (Knicks)Bergeron: LaMelo Ball (Hornets)Bromwich: Isaac Okoro (Cavaliers)Cacciola: Tyrese Haliburton (Kings)Deb: James Wiseman (Warriors)Easterling: LaMelo Ball (Hornets)Lowe: LaMelo Ball (Hornets)Stein: Deni Avdija (Wizards)Why Ball? “More offense will run through Ball than rookies on teams that are closer to contention, like James Wiseman in Golden State, or joining ready-made tandems, like Anthony Edwards, who’ll play alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell in Minnesota. In limited preseason action, he showed signs his passing ability will translate to the N.B.A., a skill that will be augmented by playing with Gordon Hayward and Devonte’ Graham.” — EasterlingDefensive Player of the YearMany people and players thought the Lakers’ Anthony Davis should have been named the best defensive player last season.Credit…Mark J. Terrill/Associated PressAbrams: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Araton: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Bergeron: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Bromwich: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Cacciola: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Deb: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Easterling: Joel Embiid (Sixers)Lowe: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Stein: Anthony Davis (Lakers)Sixth Man of the YearThe best bet for sixth man will be one of these two Nets guards: Caris LeVert, left, and Spencer Dinwiddie, right.Credit…Harry How/Getty ImagesAbrams: Dennis Schröder (Lakers)Araton: Caris LeVert (Nets)Bergeron: Danilo Gallinari (Hawks)Bromwich: Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets)Cacciola: Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets) or Caris LeVert (Nets)Deb: Caris LeVert (Nets)Easterling: Tyler Herro (Heat)Lowe: Caris LeVert (Nets)Stein: Caris LeVert (Nets)Why the best sixth man will come from the Nets: “Whichever guard — LeVert or Dinwiddie — Coach Steve Nash chooses to bring off the bench is going to produce big numbers for a team that has all the components for a title run.” — CacciolaMost ImprovedAbrams: Lonzo Ball (Pelicans)Araton: Tyler Herro (Heat)Bergeron: Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets)Bromwich: Deandre Ayton (Suns)Cacciola: Deandre Ayton (Suns)Deb: Rui Hachimura (Wizards)Easterling: OG Anunoby (Raptors)Lowe: Tyler Herro (Heat)Stein: Christian Wood (Rockets)Wild Predictions for Houston:“John Wall will have a bounce-back season, leading a James Harden-less Houston Rockets team to fringe playoff contention.” — Abrams“It’s not that wild: John Wall is going to ball out in Houston. He seems fully rehabbed and highly motivated to show out, and the fresh start will help him bounce back from a rough two years off the court.” — BergeronCoach of the YearThe first-year coach Steve Nash has a lot to deal with, but if he can manage, the Nets can be champions.Credit…Kathy Willens/Associated PressAbrams: Monty Williams (Suns)Araton: Erik Spoelstra (Heat)Bergeron: Erik Spoelstra (Heat)Bromwich: Steve Nash (Nets)Cacciola: Steve Kerr (Warriors)Deb: Steve Nash (Nets)Easterling: Michael Malone (Nuggets)Lowe: Monty Williams (Suns)Stein: Steve Nash (Nets)Why Steve Nash? “The Nets and the Clippers remind me of each other a bit: superteams assembled in the last normal off-season, with sky-high potential and possibly combustible chemistry. The Nets will overcome the inevitable Kyrie Irving-related distractions and Nash will get credit for making it all run smooth-ish.” — BromwichExecutive of the YearRob Pelinka made significant upgrades to the defending champion Lakers’ roster this year.Credit…Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesAbrams: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Araton: Sean Marks (Nets)Bergeron: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Bromwich: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Cacciola: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Deb: Daryl Morey (Sixers)Easterling: James Jones (Suns)Lowe: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Stein: Rob Pelinka (Lakers)Wild Prediction: “Tired of paying mega-salaries for meager results, Michael Jordan cashes out as majority owner of the Hornets to go all-in on NASCAR.” — AratonBest Record in the LeagueThe Bucks have had the best record two years in a row, but could not make it out of the East.Credit…Mark J. Terrill/Associated PressAbrams: Milwaukee BucksAraton: Miami HeatBergeron: Milwaukee BucksBromwich: Milwaukee BucksCacciola: Milwaukee BucksDeb: Milwaukee BucksEasterling: Milwaukee BucksLowe: Milwaukee BucksStein: Brooklyn NetsWild Predictions: What happens to James Harden?Cacciola: The Rockets will wait until the trade deadline to deal James Harden. What’s the rush?Deb: James Harden remains in Houston all season.Easterling: The Indiana Pacers trade for James Harden.Worst Record in the LeagueThe Cavaliers seem to be in a rebuild with all of their young players.Credit…Jason Miller/Getty ImagesAbrams: Detroit PistonsAraton: Detroit PistonsBergeron: Detroit PistonsBromwich: KnicksCacciola: Cleveland CavaliersDeb: Chicago BullsEasterling: Cleveland CavaliersLowe: Cleveland CavaliersStein: Cleveland CavaliersWild Prediction: “In the preseason, I watched the Cavaliers surprise Indiana twice, and then totally missed them losing to the Knicks in their next two. That means I’m unjustifiably excited about the Cavs, particularly Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro. My wild, semi-informed prediction is that Cleveland will be fun to watch for the first time since LeBron left, and — why not? — will sneak into a play-in game.” — BromwichBreakout StarZion Williamson was injured for much of his rookie season, but he is expected to have an exciting Year 2.Credit…Gerald Herbert/Associated PressAbrams: Collin Sexton (Cavaliers)Araton: Zion Williamson (Pelicans)Bergeron: Christian Wood (Rockets)Bromwich: Talen Horton-Tucker (Lakers)Cacciola: Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets)Deb: Devonte’ Graham (Hornets)Easterling: Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets)Lowe: Obi Toppin (Knicks)Stein: Zion Williamson (Pelicans)Why Williamson? “Fully unleashed on the league.” — AratonEastern Conference FinalsMiami looks to be returning to the top of the Eastern Conference with its young stars Duncan Robinson, far left, and Tyler Herro, center right.Credit…Chris O’Meara/Associated PressAbrams: Sixers over BucksAraton: Heat over NetsBergeron: Bucks over HeatBromwich: Nets over BucksCacciola: Celtics over NetsDeb: Bucks over NetsEasterling: Heat over NetsLowe: Nets over BucksStein: Heat over NetsWestern Conference FinalsThe Lakers are the favorite to come out of the Western Conference over their in-house rivals, the Clippers.Credit…Harry How/Getty ImagesAbrams: Lakers over Trail BlazersAraton: Lakers over JazzBergeron: Lakers over MavericksBromwich: Lakers over ClippersCacciola: Lakers over ClippersDeb: Lakers over WarriorsEasterling: Lakers over MavericksLowe: Lakers over ClippersStein: Lakers over ClippersN.B.A. FinalsNo matter the Eastern Conference foe, the Lakers are our pick to win the championship.Credit…Kim Klement/USA Today Sports, via ReutersAbrams: Lakers over SixersAraton: Lakers over HeatBergeron: Lakers over BucksBromwich: Lakers over NetsCacciola: Lakers over CelticsDeb: Lakers over BucksEasterling: Lakers over HeatLowe: Lakers over NetsStein: Lakers over HeatWhy the Lakers will win again: “I will never again bet against LeBron, even if he runs for president.” — AratonAdvertisementContinue reading the main story More
