The 2021-22 NBA season is set to tip-off this week and is quickly shaping up to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent years.
There are a plethora of unfolding storylines to keep an eye on over the season's duration, mainly the arms race for the championship in the Western Conference.
The LA Clippers went all in when acquiring star duo Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the 2019-20 season and - thus far - haven't been rewarded for their squad gamble. With Leonard likely to miss the majority of the regular season with an ACL injury, the hopes of 'Clipper Nation' rely on PG and the gang.
Conversely, The cross-town rival LA Lakers are looking to push for another title before the living legend, LeBron James, decides to call time on his career.
Then there are the various redemption arcs of the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Pheonix Suns to keep an eye on, in addition to the likely super-emergence of young MVP candidate, Luka Dončić, and his Dallas Mavericks.
In the East, we have the ‘Greek Freak' - Giannis Antetokounmpo - and the Milwaukee Bucks looking to defend their throne against all-comers, especially the loaded Brooklyn Nets (depending on how the Kyrie Irving vaccine situation plays out).
For the Aussies, Olympic hero, Patty Mills, makes his debut for the Nets, while in Philadelphia, former #1 draft pick and current outcast is still awaiting a result of his trade request and holdout. Rookie Josh Giddey has the opportunity to start at point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jock Landale gets his oppouurtunity to fill a front-court position in San Antonio, while free agent Aron Baynes has been ruled out for the season following a neck injury suffered with the Boomers in Tokyo.
With all this excitement for the upcoming season, the team at Zero Hoops have given their early predictions for the NBA 2021-22 end-of-season awards.
Nick Splitter (@nicksplitter)
MVP: Joel Embiid
Defensive Player of the Year: Joel Embiid
Rookie of the Year: Josh Giddey
Most Improved: Otto Porter Jr
Sixth Man: Tyler Herro
Coach of the Year: Monty Williams
NBA Champions: Brooklyn Nets
Mitch Keating (@MitchKeat)
MVP: Luka Dončić
Defensive Player of the Year: Joel Embiid
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham
Most Improved: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Sixth Man: Coby White
Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle
NBA Champions: Brooklyn Nets
Scott Pryde (@sk_pryde)
MVP: Luka Doncic
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert
Rookie of the Year: Josh Giddey
Most Improved: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Sixth Man: Derrick Rose
Coach of the Year: Quin Snyder
NBA Champions: Utah Jazz
Jake Benoiton (@JakeBenoiton)
MVP: Luka Dončić
Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham
Most Improved: Tyler Herro
Sixth Man: Tyler Herro
Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan
NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
Ed Carmine (@ed_carmine)
MVP: Luka Dončić
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham
Most Improved: Michael Porter Jr.
Sixth Man: Derrick Rose
Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle
NBA Champions: Milwaukee Bucks
Cameron Grimes (@CameronGrimes)
MVP: Kevin Durant
Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rookie of the Year: Josh Giddey
Most Improved: Ben Simmons
Sixth Man: Michael Porter Jr.
Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle
NBA Champions: Brooklyn Nets
Harris Maglis
MVP: Stephen Curry
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Simmons
Rookie of the Year: Cade Cunningham
Most Improved: OG Anunoby
Sixth Man: Derrick Rose
Coach of the Year: Steve Nash
NBA Champions: Golden State Warriors
The predictions that our team has made see some overlap when it comes to the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year predictions but vary when taking into account the rest of the awards and eventual Champions.
The 2021-22 NBA season will surely be a can't-miss spectacle with many twists and turns as each franchise battles for supremacy.
Let us know who you think will take home the end-of-season awards in the comments below!
