2014-15 NBA PREDICTIONS

It's that time of the year again folks! The 2014-15 NBA season is set to tip off tonight, and I'm excited to see how the year unfolds. This season we have the re-return of Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant, the Spurs are looking to repeat, and let's not forget the biggest move of free agency with LeBron James going back home to Cleveland. The Chicago Bulls strengthened their chances of coming out the Eastern Conference by signing Pau Gasol, while their central division counterpart Cleveland Cavaliers managed to acquire Kevin Love for #1 pick Andrew Wiggins. Some injuries have also set a couple of teams back to start off the year. That list includes: Kevin Durant, Paul George, Rajon Rondo, and Bradley Beal. Hopefully these players can make a speedy recovery and get on the court where they belong. Taking all things into consideration here are my predictions for this upcoming NBA season.

Rookie of the Year
Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks

Defensive Player of the Year
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

Coach of the Year
Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers

6th Man of the Year
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

Most Improved Player
Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors

Executive of the Year
David Griffin, Cleveland Cavaliers

Most Valuable Player
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

ALL NBA FIRST TEAM
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
James Harden, Houston Rockets
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

ALL NBA SECOND TEAM
Russell Weatbrook, OKC Thunder
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

ALL NBA THIRD TEAM
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Washington Wizards
4. New York Knicks
5. Miami Heat
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Charlotte Hornets
8. Atlanta Hawks

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Bulls vs. Wizards

Eastern Conference Finals
Cavaliers vs. Bulls

Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Houston Rockets
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Golden State Warriors
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. New Orleans Pelicans

Western Conference Semi-Finals
Clippers vs. Thunder
Spurs vs. Rockets

Western Conference Finals
Clippers vs. Spurs

NBA Finals
Cavaliers vs. Clippers - Cavs win first title in 6, LeBron James named NBA Finals MVP

These are my predictions and I'm sticking to it. Basketball fans are set to witness some great basketball this season, and I believe that every team to make the Playoffs in the Western Conference will win 50 games just like the 2007-08 season. History has shown that the Spurs don't repeat as champions and I'm not going against that this year. I'm eager to see how this season plays out with all of the story lines, but there can only be one champion crowned in June. You have my pick, what's yours?