Last seasonās champions Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the New York Knicks, setting into motion a brand-new campaign of basketball action across the North American continent.
Sport360ās Jay Asser provides predictions on what fans can hope to witness as each competing teamās campaign progresses week in, week out.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers
Until proven otherwise, thereās no reason to believe any team in the East can challenge them. They might not even finish with the best record in the conference, but thereās a clear drop-off after them which will again be evident in the playoffs. Boston will make their road more difficult than usual, but that will be the extent of it.
Western Conference
Golden State Warriors
Until proven otherwise, thereās no reason to believe any team in the East can challenge them. They might not even finish with the best record in the conference, but thereās a clear drop-off after them which will again be evident in the playoffs. Boston will make their road more difficult than usual, but that will be the extent of it.
NBA Champions
Golden State Warriors
This is going against LeBron, which backfired in a major way this past June, but even one of the greatest players in NBA history canāt stop what the Warriors are. Thereās just too much talent, too many mismatches, too much shooting and too much versatility for the Cavaliers to contend with. Unless thereās an injury, Golden State should win the grudge match.
MVP
Kevin Durant
Itās another bet against LeBron, who should get a wave of mea culpa votes after Stephen Curryās anointment last year, but the MVP historically comes from one of the top teams and if Golden State approach 70 wins, it will be one of their players. Voter fatigue is a real thing and after giving it to Curry the past two years, Durant is the obvious target to receive the credit.
Defensive Player of the Year
Kawhi Leonard
Heās the leagueās best perimeter defender, who constantly makes life difficult for opposing stars and can guard multiple positions. Dwight Howard is the only player to ever win the award in three consecutive years, but this will be a way to recognise Leonard without giving him the MVP.
Rookie of the Year
Joel Embiid
If Ben Simmons was healthy, this would be a fun two-way battle, but with his team-mate out until potentially January, Embiid will have plenty of opportunities to take full charge of Philadelphia. After sitting out two seasons, heās looked very good, showing an ability to score with his back to the basket and facing up.
Most Improved Player
DāAngelo Russell
With Kobe Bryant gone, there shouldnāt be anyone on the Lakers to constrict the point guard. Luke Walton will unshackle Russell and allow his playmaking to shine, which will result in good stats on a mediocre team.
Sixth Man of the Year
Brandon Knight
Andre Iguodala may be the most valuable sixth man in the league, but the award typically favours volume scoring, which is why Jamal Crawford could also repeat. But Knight is a starting caliber player who will come off the bench for Phoenix and provide plenty of spark and points.
Coach of the Year
Brad Stevens
Heās already established as one of the best coaches in the league, but this will be the first season Boston becomes one of the unquestioned top teams and have the record to show for it. Fifty-plus wins are on the way, as is the two seed in the East.