As the anticipation builds for the tip-off of the 2021 NBA season, basketball enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unveiling of new storylines, rivalries, and championship contenders. The league landscape has undergone significant shifts, with player movement and offseason acquisitions setting the stage for an exhilarating campaign. From perennial powerhouses reloading for another title run to emerging teams ready to make their mark, the stage is set for an unforgettable season. Join us as we delve into our predictions for the 2021 NBA season, analyzing the top contenders, breakout stars, and potential surprises that will captivate fans and define the journey to the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
· NBA Finals – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets
When healthy, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets are the two best teams in the association, and it is not close. The Lakers were battling injuries all season including in the playoffs, as were the Nets. The Lakers will not win or make the NBA Finals if Anthony Davis suffers another injury in the playoffs. As great as LeBron James is, he needs Anthony Davis to be healthy in order to win. Kevin Durant almost single handedly defeated the eventual NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Had Durant’s size 21 foot been 1 more inch behind the 3 point line, we would be looking at a different 2021 NBA Champion. The Nets lost Kyrie Irving to an ankle injury early in Game 4 while James Harden was nursing/playing through a pretty serious hamstring injury throughout the series. I have a difficult time envisioning a different NBA Finals unless injuries take its toll again. One thing to keep an eye on is the situation regarding Kyrie Irving and his vaccination status. New York City requires proof of a COVID-19 Vaccination card which Irving has not yet received, and hasn’t spoken on his intentions to receive one. He may not be eligible to play in Brooklyn’s home games.
Prediction – Lakers def. Nets in 7 games. – The Brooklyn Nets defense will not be good enough to stop the duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, along with the chemistry of the Lakers. Adding Russell Westbrook and getting Rajon Rondo back in the mix along with Carmelo Anthony will only make things more difficult for Brooklyn. The only thing beating the Lakers is health.
· Eastern Conference Finals – Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The 2021 NBA Champions are going to have their hands full in defending their title against the Brooklyn Nets in the ECF. Last year in the ECSF, the Nets did not have nearly close to a fully healthy team. Kevin Durant will be a man on a mission to get his revenge from the previous season. A healthy Harden and Irving along KD’s side will be too much for Giannis, Middleton, and Jrue Holiday to handle.
Prediction – Nets def. Bucks in 6 games.
· Western Conference Finals – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz
This stacked Los Angeles Lakers team will coast its way into the WCF. I believe at this time of year, the Westbrook-LeBron-AD trio will be up-and-running like Magic’s Showtime Lakers. Nobody in the Western Conference will be able to stop the Lakers. LeBron is closing in on Michael Jordan’s GOAT status and another ring will only motivate LeBron more and more. The Utah Jazz may earn the 1-seed in the West but they won’t look like a 1-seed when they play the Lakers in the WCF.
· NBA MVP – Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid has shown the ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Last year, Embiid was in the mix for both the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Embiid averaged 28.5 PPG on 51% FG shooting and 38% from 3. Add in 11 RBG, 3 APG, 1 STL, and 1.4 BLK, that is an MVP candidate. For someone his size, shooting 38% from beyond the arc is extremely impressive. The Sixers offense for the majority of the time runs through Embiid, without Simmons Embiid’s usage will only skyrocket. Embiid’s dominate play will help lessen burden of the Ben Simmons situation. The Philadelphia 76ers have had a tumultuous, drama-filled offseason ever since losing to the Atlanta Hawks at home in Game 7 of the ECSF. Ben Simmons has said that he wants nothing to do with Philadelphia anymore and wants to be traded. Simmons did not show up to training camp and has showed no willingness to rejoin the team. Simmons was recently fined $300K for missing the Sixers preseason game against the Raptors. These fines and the mess is only going to build unless they ultimately trade Simmons.
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