Bold Predictions

1. Derrik Queen is voted MIP. He's going to look like there's something there.

2. Raptors finish higher than the Sixers. Combo of Barnes + Leonard will look lethal on defense. Sixers will come out lethargic, confused about who does what, will be sitting Embiid, they'll look good after January.

3. Neither the Spurs or Thunder make the final. Maybe these teams break the trend of recent years, but... I doubt it. I think this is fully the parity era and that we're destined to get two new teams in the finals every season.

4. Jokic starts doing cryptic media days about wanting new players on the team and wanting out. Reddit will go crazy about it. Nuggets will try to trade Jamal Murray.

5. The Mavs sneak into the play in. Kyrie is traded.

6. Ben Simmons will be gone by Christmas... he's just had too many injuries and was away too long for that to work, plus his issues with shooting didn't get solved.

7. Clippers will be a play in team, Wagler will look good enough to win the ROTY.

8. Lakers go up a level and look like title contenders all season. Playoffs hit and they lose in the third round to Minnesota.

9. Minnesota turns the corner and looks good enough to win the championship.

10. Dearon Fox is traded and that trade involves Jamal Murray or the Nuggets, somehow.

11. Orlando shocks someone in the playoffs.