Fours words: the NBA is back! Finally, after what seems like eternity, competitive basketball is returning to the court and our tv screens. The 2017-18 NBA season will kick off tonight with the Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the Boston Celtics and your Golden State Warriors will hoist their banners against the Houston Rockets. With that, excitement is running high and expectations remain that way for the Dubs.
The fellas here at WarriorsWorld are eager to get the season started and we have some predictions about this upcoming season that we’d like to share with Dub Nation. From predicting which new Warrior will have the most impact, to who will win the Most Valuable Players. We have it all covered here:
1. Will the Warriors exceed last year’s win total?
Sam Esfandiari
Yes. More continuity. Deeper bench. They may win 70 without having to even try very hard.
Andy Liu
Yes. I’d say around 70 if only because players will shoot better, the team is deeper, and another season of KD incorporated is just plain scary.
Sheed Malek
No, they will coast to a light 65 wins.
Jordan Ramirez
Yes, but not by a lot. If they tried like they did for 73, they could go 80-2 (both losses being at Staples Center). Rest will always be in play, so I have them at 69-13. They’re deeper, KD is fully acclimated and they’ll shoot at a higher clip.
Alex Torres
Yes, this team is deeper and better than last year’s squad. I have them at 70 wins.
2. Which new Warrior should we be most excited about?
Sam Esfandiari
Jordan Bell. He’s technically a PF but he’ll play C for GSW. He’s potentially the type of big man they haven’t had the previous 3 years. Explosive athletic, defensive minded etc. If he adjusts quickly he could be the team leader in minutes at the C spot come playoff time.
Andy Liu
Omri Casspi because he’ll actually be consistent and good and a chance to win an in-game shootout against his own teammates.
Sheed Malek
Jordan Bell. Jones and Looney have been lackluster draft picks, Bell gives the Warriors a young big who can actually contribute.
Jordan Ramirez
If you asked me earlier in the summer, I’d say Swaggy P, but I’m going Jordan Bell. He’s been a favorite since they bought him at the draft, and his recent preseason success is only building his stock. An athletic shot-blocking big who actually has good hips? Sign me up.
Alex Torres
Nick Young, purely for entertainment purposes. This team is such a well oiled machine and Swaggy P likes to some whacky things on the court, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to his new teammates.
3. Do you expect Kerr to rest his key guys more often this season?
Sam Esfandiari
Here and there. Less back to backs means he won’t have to as often, but given the length of the season and the Warriors depth, I’m sure he’ll find random 1 off games to rest Steph, KD etc.
Andy Liu
Absolutely, not all at once, but one at a time.
Sheed Malek
Not really. Don’t expect full game rest, expect minutes to be down because they’ll be blowing teams out with a deeper squad.
Jordan Ramirez
The NBA starting their season earlier was partly because of Steve Kerr. He shouldn’t change a thing, nor should he. He’ll mix and match resting guys per usual. It worked last year, why change it?
Alex Torres
Absolutely. It’s the smart thing to do, have to make sure his key players are getting enough rest throughout the course of a long NBA season. Steve Kerr attended the Greg Popovich school of coaching, so he will definitely be resting his guys when he sees a good opportunity to do so.
4. Who will average more points, Steph or KD?
Sam Esfandiari
Stephen Curry by a hair. He’s taken more shots per game than KD since the middle of last season and assuming his 3pt % goes back to his career avg, his overall efficiency is just as high. Either way I expect the tandem to avg close to same.
Andy Liu
Steph Better.
Sheed Malek
Steph.
Jordan Ramirez
Steph is poised to have his best season ever in a career that saw him win back-to-back MVPs. He’ll be scary, and the narrative will flip to appreciating 30 instead of vilifying him after his 2016 Finals.
Alex Torres
Most people above me picked Curry, so I am going with KD. Durant will always get his points, but with his size he should be able to dominate the paint and get some easy buckets around the rim.
5. I know we would like to fast forward to the playoffs, but what are you looking forward to seeing in the regular season?
Sam Esfandiari
GSW v. OKC. Russ hates the Warriors and now he has all-star support. I anticipate these games to be highly emotional and overall must-see tv.
Andy Liu
How many games the Warriors actually get up for and how well they’ll play in those games. They might have one to start the season against Houston. Until the playoffs, we might not get many locked in Warriors games so appreciate the ones that do happen.
Sheed Malek
The Warriors pissing people off.
Jordan Ramirez
The Warriors might not try for it, but will they fall into the trap of breaking their own regular season wins record? They’re good enough to not give their best effort and still beat everyone, but if the record is in sight, dominates headlines and rest isn’t as big of a concern, can they resist?
Alex Torres
It’s going to be fun to see all the young players emerge in the league, but other than that we know that the good stuff happens until June, when the Warriors and Cavs meet for a fourth straight time.
6. Who will win the NBA MVP?
Sam Esfandiari
Stephen Curry.
Andy Liu
Steph.
Sheed Malek
Steph.
Jordan Ramirez
Steph.
Alex Torres
LeBron James.
7. Who will end up in the Finals?
Sam Esfandiari
Warriors v. Cavs.
Andy Liu
Cavs GSW.
Sheed Malek
Warriors/Raptors just cause I want to go to Toronto.
Jordan Ramirez
Warriors-Cavs.
Alex Torres
Really? Warriors vs. Cavs Part 4
8. Who will win the 6th Man Award?
Sam Esfandiari
Eric Gordon
Andy Liu
Iguodala.
Sheed Malek
Iguodala.
Jordan Ramirez
Iguodala.
Alex Torres
Eric Gordon.
9. Who will be the Rookie of the Year?
Sam Esfandiari
Dennis Smith Jr.
Andy Liu
Dennis Smith Jr.
Sheed Malek
Ben Simmons.
Jordan Ramirez
Lonzo.
Alex Torres
Have to go with my boy Lonzo Ball. He will make this Lakers team exciting.
10. Who wins Coach of the Year?
Sam Esfandiari
Brad Stevens.
Andy Liu
D’Antoni.
Sheed Malek
Thibs.
Jordan Ramirez
Kerr.
Alex Torres
Brad Stevens.