The NBA returned. After a long time out of season with many twists and turns, the Season 2022-2023 will start on Tuesday, October 18. This will be the start of what is shaping up to be a very entertaining campaign. The Eastern Conference will be one of the most competitive in recent years, and at west is expected to take a step forward from the previous course.
For starters, the league is absolutely loaded with talent right now. If it was difficult enough to create a ranking of the top 30 players before Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson and Damian Lillard they were healthy, now that they’re all back, things get complicated.
Before the start of the 2022-2023 season, NBA experts at The SportingNews Share how you think this lesson will turn out.
Can Nikola Jokic win his third straight MVP? Are the Bucks the clear favorite to win the Eastern Conference? Will the Warriors defend their title? Which team is most likely to win your victory prediction? And which one is more likely to fall short?
voting
The MVP prediction
- Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo (5)
- They also received votes: Joel Embiid (4), Luka Doncic (4)
The points in favor of Giannis Antetokounmpo: “The Greek Freak” he meets all the requirements to be an MVP candidate. He consistently puts up great numbers, impacts the game on both ends of the floor, stays healthy most of the time, and is the undisputed leader of a title contender. It’s also worth noting that Antetokounmpo will turn 28 in December, which puts him in the physical prime of his career.
Antetokounmpo is the best player in the NBA right now, and the bet here is that he will be recognized for his dominance throughout the season with a third MVP. even if you don’t mind earning it.
— Jordan Greer (@jordangreer42)
Rookie of the Year Prediction
- Winner: Paolo Banchero (7)
- They also received votes: Keegan Murray (5), Jabari Smith Jr. (1)
Points in favor of Paolo Bansero: Banchero will immediately become the linchpin of the Orlando Magic offense due to his incredible ability to create his own shot and create play. He is a top scorer with advanced passing ability who can make an impact from day one.
Winning Rookie of the Year is all about opportunity, and Banchero has what it takes to do it.
—Kyle Irving@kyleirv_)
Defensive Player of the Year Prediction
- Winner: Bam Adebayo (4)
- Also receiving votes were: Rudy Gobert (2), Joel Embiid (2), Evan Mobley (1), Draymond Green (1), Giannis Antetokounmpo (1), Mikal Bridges (1), Jrue Holiday (1)
Points in favor of Bam Adebayo: Adebayo’s path to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award is not that complicated. The interior reprises its role as the anchor for a Miami Heat defense that ranked in the top five last season. Meanwhile, other favorites for the award will not get that chance.
If you have to choose between Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, internal hunger after failing to make it in 2021 and 2022 will make the difference.
—Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21)
The top scorer prediction
- Winner: Luka Doncic (5)
- They also received votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo (3), Trae Young (2), Joel Embiid (1), Kevin Durant (1), Ja Morant (1)
Points in favor of Luka Doncic: Only four players averaged more points than the Slovenian last season, and the Mavericks saw their leading scorer in recent months depart.
It’s hard to imagine Doncic already having a high usage rate, but he could get better opportunities this season.
— Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles)
The prediction of the player who will make his All-Star debut
- Winner: Anthony Edwards (6)
- They also received votes: Cade Cunningham (2), Evan Mobley (2), Tyrese Maxey (1), Jalen Brunson (1), RJ Barrett (1)
Points go to Anthony Edwards: Edwards is the logical choice to be “this year’s Ja Morant,” both in terms of production and appeal, after scoring 25-plus points per game in his first playoff run.
Not only has Edwards emerged as Minnesota’s most consistent star (even more so than Karl-Anthony Towns), he’s also a dazzling force who carries himself with an arrogance that screams “I’m an All-Star.”
— Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13)
Predicting the team with the best balance
- Winner: Bucks (8)
- They also received votes: 76ers (3), Nuggets (1), Nets (1)
Points in favor of the Milwaukee Bucks: Those from Wisconsin have the best player in the world, two perfectly equipped and reliable teammates with him and a solid group of veterans around them, including a fully recovered Brook Lopez.
Since signing Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee is 38-16 when the point guard has shared the floor with Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Lopez. Which would translate to a 58-24 record over an 82-game season, which should be enough to lead the league.
— Juan Esteves@JuanEstevez90)
Eastern Conference Winner Prediction
- Winner: Bucks (9)
- They also received votes: Celtics (2), 76ers (1), Nets (1)
Points in favor of the Milwaukee Bucks: The fact that the Bucks didn’t have Khris Middleton in their lineup against the Celtics has been understated. With him back in the lineup and Antetokounmpo motivated to add to his trophy case, Milwaukee will be tough to beat in a seven game series.
I expect the Bucks to make a few moves in the coming months to bolster their second unit.
— Carlan Gay (@TheCarlanGay)
Western Conference Winners Prediction
- Winner: Clippers (7)
- They also received votes: Warriors (5), Nuggets (1)
Points in favor of the LA Clippers: The Angels have an elite coach with a championship in Tyronn Lue. They have the Terminator of the league, Kawhi Leonard. to the best second sword, Paul George. and a second luxury unit.
Add all this together and you have the perfect ingredients to win the West.
—Steph No (@StephNoh)
The 2022-2023 NBA Champion Prediction
- Winner: Bucks (5)
- They also received votes: Clippers (4), Celtics (2), Warriors (1), Nets (1)
Points in favor of the Milwaukee Bucks: The title race will be fierce this season, but the Bucks feel like the safest bet for the reasons already mentioned.
As long as they’re healthy, they should return to being elite on both ends of the floor.
—Rafferty
Other predictions for this season in the NBA
best fantasy player: Nikola Jokic (11 of 13 votes)
Joel Embiid was the first in our fantasy, but we hope that the Serb will be the best for another year.
The signature that will have the biggest impact: Donovan Mitchell (10 of 13 votes)
Mitchell joins an exciting young core in Cleveland that includes Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Rudy Gobert and John Wall were the only other players to receive votes for most impressive new acquisition.
The All-Star who will take a step back: Dejounte Murray (3 of 13 votes)
Murray put on the show in San Antonio last season. Learning to play against one of the most used players in the NBA like Trae Young can take some adjusting.
Team With Most Picks To Beat Las Vegas Projections (Top/Bottom): Pelicans and Kings (5 of 13 votes each)
Caesars has projected the Pelicans to win 45.5 games and the Kings 33.5. The Louisiana natives earned a playoff spot through the Play-In, and the Californians haven’t made the postseason since 2006.
Most Picked Team to Lose Las Vegas Predictions (Top/Bottom): Lakers (5 of 13 votes)
The Lakers have rebuilt their team admirably, but will it be enough to get them back to the playoffs? Our staff is not optimistic.
Full voting results
Player predictions
| Voter | MVP | rookie of the year | Defensive Player of the Year | first scorer | Premiere on All Star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stef no (@StephNoh) | John Antetokounmpo | Paolo Bansero | Rudy Gobert | Joel Embiid | Evan Mobley |
| Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles) | Joel Embiid | Paolo Bansero | Bam Antebayo | Luka Doncic | Cade Cunningham |
| Carl Gay (@TheCarlanGay) | Joel Embiid | Keegan Murray | Rudy Gobert | John Antetokounmpo | Tyrese Maxey |
| John Estevez (@JuanEstevez90) | Luka Doncic | Paolo Bansero | Evan Mobley | Luka Doncic | Anthony Edwards |
| Michael Adams (@MicahAdams13) | John Antetokounmpo | Keegan Murray | Draymond Green | Luka Doncic | Anthony Edwards |
| Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21) | John Antetokounmpo | Keegan Murray | Bam Antebayo | John Antetokounmpo | Anthony Edwards |
| Jordan Greer (@jordangreer42) | John Antetokounmpo | Keegan Murray | Joel Embiid | Luka Doncic | Jaylen Brunson |
| Kyle Irving (@kyleirv_) | Luka Doncic | Paolo Bansero | John Antetokounmpo | Bring on Young | Cade Cunningham |
| Leandro Fernandez (@FernandezLea) | John Antetokounmpo | Jabari Smith Jr. | Bam Antebayo | John Antetokounmpo | Evan Mobley |
| Serge Rabinal (@S_Rabinal) | Joel Embiid | Keegan Murray | Michael Bridges | Ja Morad | Anthony Edwards |
| Benyam Kidane (@BenyamKidane) | Luka Doncic | Paolo Bansero | Bam Antebayo | Bring on Young | Anthony Edwards |
| Tak Oikawa (@oitaku) | Joel Embiid | Paolo Bansero | Junior Holiday | Kevin Durant | RJ Barrett |
| Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol | Luka Doncic | Paolo Bansero | Joel Embiid | Luka Doncic | Anthony Edwards |
team predictions
| Voter | better balance | Eastern Conference Winner | Winner of the West Conf | NBA champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stef No | 76 year olds | 76 year olds | Clippers | Clippers |
| Scott Rafferty | 76 year olds | dollars | Clippers | dollars |
| Carlan Gay | 76 year olds | dollars | Clippers | Clippers |
| John Esteves | dollars | dollars | Warriors | dollars |
| Micah Adams | dollars | dollars | Nuggets | dollars |
| Gilbert McGregor | dollars | dollars | Clippers | dollars |
| Jordan Greer | dollars | dollars | Clippers | Clippers |
| Kyle Irving | dollars | Celtics | Clippers | Celtics |
| Leandro Fernandez | dollars | dollars | Warriors | Warriors |
| Sergio Rabinal | dollars | dollars | Clippers | Clippers |
| Benjamin Kindane | Nuggets | dollars | Warriors | dollars |
| Thanks Oikawa | Nets | Nets | Warriors | Nets |
| Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol | dollars | Celtics | Warriors | Celtics |
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
