My Worst Predictions From the 2022-23 NBA Season

I know I talk a lot of sh*t on this blog, presenting myself as a basketball guru, but it's all in fun anyway, since I'm not getting paid for it.  And honestly most of my predications, even the really bold ones, do come true in some way, shape or form.  But I'm also man enough to admit when I'm wrong, and of course there are times when I totally miss the mark, if you want to put it like that.  And below are what I feel were my three worst predictions as far as the now-past 2022-23 NBA Season was concerned.

THE TIMBERWOLVES WOULD WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

I don't think I ever actually said that the Timberwolves would actually win the championship.  But early in the season, I did voice my belief that they had the most-talented starting five in the NBA.  But I'm also pretty sure at the time that I noted there may be compatibility issues along the way.

I consider myself a D'Angelo Russell fan, but remember that the only time he's made the allstar team thus far was when he was the undisputed alpha (of the Nets).  When you place alongside other players who are just ass or even more talented scorers, his efficacy drops.  That's why I believe that Brooklyn should've never traded him to begin with and should've rather built on that foundation with him as the cornerstone.

Anyways, Minnesota did eventually rectify that situation by bringing in Mike Conley, who's more of a traditional PG.  And for awhile, they did excel.  But injuries, as well what I believe was a lack of favor from the NBA powers-that-be, derailed their season.  So I was really happy to recently hear that their braintrust intends to run it back next season with Gobert + Kat + Edwards + Conley (in addition to having re-signed Naz Reid), because now I'll really get to see if my prediction was true or not.

THE HAWKS WOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE EAST

I also foresaw that there might be compatibility issues between Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, but I never would have thought in a million years that the Hawks would miss the playoffs altogether.  And even then, I can't confidently say that they flunked due to compatibility issues.

I didn't get to peep a lot of Hawks' games last season, but based on what I can gather their issues are threefold.  First is lack of consistent effort.  For instance, I remember during one of those play-in games, DeAndre Hunter was a total nonfactor.  I even called him out in this blog, that maybe Atlanta should think about benching him or some sh*t.  Then the very next game, he came out and dropped like 26 points.

Secondly - and this perhaps their biggest issue - the Hawks play like they don't have any actual, consistent strategy, like their offense is all impromptu.  But it's hard to condemn them for having this fault, because most teams play like that these days.  On the surface, that would even be the reason why the Celtics lost to the Heat.

And third, they seem to have developed this tendency, whether intentionally or not, of making John Collins the scapegoat.  If there's one player I would like to see get traded it's Collins, so that finally he can be vindicated from all this BS.  But I also love the way he and Young connect sometimes.  When they do on increasingly-rare occasions, they're arguably the most exciting tandem in the NBA.  And the said thing about it is that if you look at Atlanta's roster, like there really isn't anything wrong with it.  Given their talent and age, they should be like perennial contenders.  So it'll be interesting to see what their braintrust does this offseason.

THE SUNS WOULD WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP ONCE THEY GOT KD

Of all the bold predictions I made last season this is the one I'm most ashamed of, because in hindsight I did so with my heart more than my head.  I love KD as a person, but as a team player not so much.  From what I can gather he's the type that, if he doesn't believe his team can win, will quit instead of trying to emerge victorious anyway, like Lebron would.  And imo even during last season's playoffs he gave up on the Suns.

But that's not the reason I feel bad about making that prediction.  Rather, I should have foresaw that KD wouldn't be compatible with Chris Paul, because Durant is yet another one of those NBA superstars who, despite being mad tall, plays better when he controls the ball.  The Suns got the message and got rid of CP3, and now it looks like their starting five may be devoid of a true PG which, considering that Booker and Beal are also around, would be for the best.  Let's just hope that they don't get off to a slow start, or else someone may be demanding a trade soon.

CONCLUSION

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, here comes my first bold prediction for the 2023-24 NBA Season.  Victor Wembanyama, under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, is going to be in the MVP conversation.  Remember that you read it here first!

2023 Eastern Conference Play-in Predictions

Now that the 2023 Playoffs brackets are starting to settle in, I can also began my predictions in terms of who I believe will emerge victorious.  I do believe that sometimes, the better team may not emerge victorious because the NBA powers-that-be deem otherwise.  So I'm going to split each series prediction into two categories, "Fair and Share" and "What Will the NBA Do".  The first centers on who I think will win the series, barring (additional) major injuries.  And that second category is just in case I also feel that the NBA may favor a particular squad, even if they aren't better.  And to note, a higher bracket positioning doesn't actually mean that a team is superior to another.  For instance in some cases, such as has been recently pointed out with the Bucks and Celtics, the former may have a better record, but the latter matches up against them particularly well.

HAWKS (41-40) vs HEAT (43-38)

If you would have told me at the beginning of this season that the Hawks would have finished 8th in the East, I would've had a hard time believing it.  I rather thought they would be contenders, contingent on Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, two alpha PGs, working things out in the backcourt.  But not only aren't they contenders, but also, you would have to believe looking at their record, were never able to incorporate Murray as idealized, even if he is averaging over 20ppg.  In fact what it rather looks like his presence is negatively affecting John Collins' game.

FAIR & SQUARE

Tbh, I haven't seen the Hawks play enough this season to really pin down what their problem is.  But logic would dictate that if they haven't gotten their shit together by now, it's not suddenly going to happen against the Heat, a team who, despite disappointing this season also, at least know their identity.

WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?

I don't see any reason why the NBA would interfere in this one.  But I would presume they'd want Miami to prevail over Atlanta for a number of reasons, such as the Heat being more popular and also EC playoffs' fixtures.

RAPTORS (40-41) VS. BULLS (39-42)

Two more teams that disappointed this season.  Well, at least the Raptors are a disappointment to me, because I thought after getting a quality bigman (Jakob Poeltl) they were going to prove themselves contenders.  Instead, it's as if his presence fukedup their chemistry.  Oh well, no one was really expecting them to do anything this season anyway, I guess except the owners themselves, since they're reportedly on the verge of sacking Nick Nurse.

FAIR & SQUARE

I have to give this one to the Bulls, because their stars, and especially DeRozan, are known to be more clutch than those of the Raptors.  Imagine that, DeMar knocking his old squad out of the playoffs.

WHAT WILL THE NBA DO?

I also believe the NBA wants the Bulls to win.  Would they go as far as to rig for them?  In their eyes I don't think they'd be much of a difference between Chicago or Toronto potentially making the playoffs.  But what should be remembered is that the Bulls got all but decimated by the Bucks - who they would once again go to face in the First Round if they make it past the play-ins - during the 2022 Playoffs.

CONCLUSION

Miami also convincingly handled the Hawks the last year, which is presumably why they went out in got Dejounte in the first place.  So if nothing else, this play-in should act as a litmus test as to whether that experiment has been successful.  In other words, if they beat the Heat it may be considered a success and something to build further on.  But if not, well, don't blame the shit on John Collins.

John Collins to the Nets?

Now that the Nets are starting to look formidable, don't forget those of us who never gave up on them to begin with.  And the same goes for the Lakers, as they seem to be slowly figuring out that with the talent on their roster, they don't need to be hoisting up threes in order to win games.

I always liked John Collins and especially the way he plays when Trae Young, to the point that when I learned they had some type of beef, it like hurt me personally.  But by this point if such is case, I guess Collins is expendable.

These days, it seems that Trae has a better rapport with Clint Capela, who on the low is one of the best Cs in the NBA.  And with Murray and also Hunter, it's like the Hawks can take a risk with John and see if they can get like two players who are compatible with their roster, even if they come off the bench or whatever.  In other words Young + Capela + Murray + Hunter is so talented that in theory, it doesn't really matter who plays the 4.  Like they can slot somebody at PF who isn't even interested in scoring but just defense and rebounding.

I don't think the Nets have such a player outside of Simmons and Claxton, neither of whom I'm hoping will be part of this trade if it happens.  KD, who I always thought to be one of the coolest dudes in the NBA, recently dissed his teammates, i.e. those who aren't all-stars.  But I have a lot of respect for Claxton, because it was like he was supposed to get more experience playing behind a vet (Jarrett Allen) and instead was unexpectedly thrust ass hot into the fire, and he hasn't backed down or shrunk.  In fact it was kinda cheesy what Durant said, but like all of those dudes he dissed has stepped up since, which is one of the reasons why they're now winning.  Under normal circumstances, I would argue that it'd be foolish to breakup a team like this now.  But I can also see how Collins would be a better fit, so long as he's healthy and can jump like normal.

The only thing is that the Nets needn't give up Harris, Curry or, to reiterate, Claxton in the process, nor of course any of the Big 3.  And as for those other guys who may have been overachieving of late, it's not like they're being punished if traded, since the Hawks are (slightly) better anyway.  And I can actually see players like Patty Mills or Cam Thomas thriving in Atlanta, Mills especially, since the Nets have never been able to bring out the best in him.

One bad thing I will say about Collins though is that sometimes he chucks up threes, which is like the last thing he needs to do playing with KD and Kyrie and Harris and Curry, if the Nets are smart enough to keep them all.  But him crashing and lurking around the boards is exactly the type of player they need.  Claxton had to develop that skill by force.  But it's as if it comes more naturally to Collins.

NBA Offseason Power Stinkings (Northeast Division)

The Miami Heat are the only team in the Northeast Division who are considered to be contenders, which may be true, but I'd watch out for those Hawks.  They staged one of biggest coups of the offseason in grabbing Dejounte Murray out of nowhere, like no one saw that coming.  And there is perhaps no single transaction that occurred this summer that will prove as significant.

But since this is the Power Stinkings, I'm not going to start off with the likes of the Heat or Hawks.  Instead, let's not forget that there's also teams out there such as:

1.  CHARLOTTE HORNETS

The NBA season, at a grueling 82 games, is largely a test of endurance where, along the line, teams that are weak one way or another eventually get exposed.  So at the beginning of last season, the Hornets were one of the feel-good stories of the NBA.  Like you look at LaMelo Ball and just want him to win.  But by the time all was said and done, it's like they just vanished from competititveness.

Now Miles Bridges, who is arguably their best player, like who knows when or if he'll suit up again.  Then for whatever reason, the Hornets aren't making any effort to re-sign Montrezl Harris nor chase any quality free agents.  So now, it looks like they're going to run it back with Ball + Oubre + Rozier Hayward (!) + Plumlee, which may not be the worst starting lineup in the NBA but has to be pretty darn close.

2.  ORLANDO MAGIC

Paolo Banchero may look "NBA ready" or however they call it, but I live by a pretty unwavering philosophy of never putting too much hope in a rookie during his first year, because it's very rare that a rookie has any type of major impact to begin with.  And even then, they need to drafted onto a roster that's already moderately good.

And maybe you can say the Magic are in that position.  For instance Jonathan Isaac, who awhile back was being touted as their franchise player or whatever, I guess is supposed to be playing soon.  And I'm still a Markelle Fultz fan, I suppose.  I also kinda like Mo Bamba, and this dude Franz Wagner is supposed to be hot or whatever.  Cole Anthony is also supposed to be some type of revelation, but honestly I can't remember the last time I saw the Magic play like a full game.  This is a team that could really benefit from the presence of a bonafide superstar, which maybe Banchero will be after a season or two.

3.  WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Bradley Beal is my type of NBA player.  When you're getting paid gazillions of dollars to play basketball, as taxing as the NBA may be, you don't sit around crying about rings and legacy and all that bullshit.  That is your legacy - that you're actually getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play fukin basketball.  Just ask Antoine Walker.  You know what I mean?  Like get your priorities straight already.

That said, you have to admire this guy's level of commitment, though perhaps what he's actually committed to is money, i.e. the Wizards being able to pay him more than any other team, because it's like these guys never really improve.  Well actually at this time last year, I thought that the Wiz, along with the Bulls, had the best offseason of 2021.  But what seems to have happened to Washington, even though they finally put together a good roster post-Wall, was that they lacked unity or something and got exposed as the season wore on.

And their current roster is also, in reality, moderately impressive.  Barton and Morris, I would imagine, should fit nicely next to Beal.  Also a frontline of Kuzma and Porzingis (esp if he's healthy) is nothing to sneeze at.  But speaking of legacy, let's not forget that this is the Washington Wizards, so no one should expect them to overachieve.

2.  ATLANTA HAWKS

I'm really feeling the Hawks right now for a couple of reasons.  One is that they didn't rush out and trade John Collins when he got into it with Trae Young.  This is professional athletics, so you aren't supposed to overreact everytime coworkers aren't getting along with each other, even if one of them is a franchise player.

Secondly, they went out and got Dejounte Murray, which was like some guru shit.  Their roster actually wasn't that bad last season, and his presence may end up solving most of their shortcomings.  Like no one is really talking the Hawks, but they have, when you also take age into consideration, perhaps the most well-rounded starting 5 in the NBA.  And they also now have two Holiday brothers coming off the bench.  Their one weakness though may be frontline depth, esp since both Capela and Collins are known to have injury issues.

1.  MIAMI HEAT

I'm tired of dickridin the Heat already.  These teams, like the Suns who do exceptionally well during the season but falter in the playoffs, it always hurts when I predict them to win big, but then they fall short.  Also, PJ Tucker leaving is supposed to have some type of adverse affect on them or whatever.  I personally think Tucker tends to be overrated.  But it ain't like they actually got anybody for him in return.

The Heat are one of the best-coached teams in the NBA for like ages now, but maybe they need to try something new, like maybe starting Tyler Herro alongside Duncan Robinson.  I mean, why not?  They have one of the deeper rosters in the league but obviously need to devise a new strategy to take things to the next level.  And I'm not really sure how much Kyle Lowry has left in the tank, which makes me wonder why perhaps they didn't go after an additional starting level PG this offseason.

CONCLUSION

The Heat lost a couple of role players this offseason, didn't get anybody back to match their talent level, but are still the team to beat in the Northeast.  That says alot about how wise this organization actually is.  But speaking of injury issues, that begs the question of how much they can truly rely not only on Lowry but also Butler and Adebayo this coming season.

Meanwhile, the Hawks may not be models of health themselves, but they are going to be a fun watch, even more than they've already been the past couple of years.  And the acquisition of Murray is such that the sky's really the limit for them at the moment, and they may have the best backcourt in the NBA (taking nothing away from the Splash Bros).

I feel sorry for the Hornets in more ways than one.  Who knows if they would have made the effort to retain Bridges anyway, but damn, is he catching a bad one.

And as for the Magic and Wizards, I mean the East ain't as formidable as it may seem at times.  And maybe, just maybe they'll make the playoffs.