NBA Season Highlights and Predictions
We’re not even to the midway point of the 2022-23 season, but already it’s becoming a season to remember. There have been plenty of surprises thus far, leaving fans eager to get their hands on NBA tickets and see what else this season has in store. To help prepare us for a compelling end to the season in the spring, let’s look at the NBA season highlights thus far and make a couple of predictions about what’s left to come.
Celtics Dealing with Distractions
The Boston Celtics have surely established themselves as the best team in the NBA thus far. They’ve won the race to 20 wins by a long shot and given themselves a leg up in the Eastern Conference race. While that’s not a huge shock, it’s been surprising to see the Celtics respond so well to adversity. Remember, this team blew a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals last season and then suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire season. Despite those circumstances, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen have both played like superstars during the early part of the season and have been close to unstoppable.
Nets Are a Mess
On the other end of the spectrum, the Brooklyn Nets have been a disaster despite a wealth of talent on the roster. Kyrie Irving got himself suspended because of a social media controversy, and that was after they had to convince Kevin Durant not to force a trade. On the court, Ben Simmons got off to a sluggish start and then got hurt, missing several games in early December. The kicker is that head coach Steve Nash and the Nets parted ways last November, creating a sense of instability within the organization. While the Nets still have the talent to beat a lot of teams, they haven’t had much success against other bonafide contenders, which doesn’t bode well for their long-term chances in 2023.
Cavaliers Are Trade Winners
One of the biggest trades of the offseason was the Utah Jazz trading Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen, and other draft picks. Thus far, the Cavs are the clear winners of that trade. Mitchell is averaging close to 30 points per game, providing Cleveland with the outside scoring, something the Cavs needed. Based on the early part of the season, the Cavs are arguably the third-best team in the Eastern Conference behind the Celtics and Bucks. On the other side, the Jazz is without Mitchell and dealing with an injury to point guard Mike Conley. Utah endured a dreadful stretch in late November and early December, causing them to plummet in the Western Conference standings, falling outside of the guaranteed playoff spots.
The Warriors and Lakers Aren’t Contenders
Even with a lot of the season left to play, it’s safe to say that the Warriors and Lakers aren’t serious championship contenders. These teams combined for two of the last three NBA championships, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see both teams far from the top of the Western Conference hierarchy. Even with Stephen Curry averaging 30 points per game, the Warriors aren’t getting enough from Andrew Wiggins, the aging Draymond Green, or some of their younger players. Meanwhile, the Lakers have struggled to stay healthy and put together a consistent lineup. Even with LeBron James still going strong when he’s on the court and Anthony Davis playing at an MVP level, the Lakers have already had two separate five-game losing streaks and are struggling to overcome such a poor start.
Flight of the Pelicans
It’s been a long journey for the New Orleans Pelicans, who made the playoffs last season despite just one winning season in the last seven years. But the Pelicans look like they’re finally getting over the hump with their young core, making them a team to watch closely in 2023. Zion Williamson continues to develop into a well-rounded star, giving New Orleans a formidable trio along with Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. But the Pelicans are also showcasing impressive depth beyond those three, as seven players are averaging double figures. That depth has already helped the Pelicans thrive, with Ingram sidelined by a toe injury. It should also prevent the Pelicans from experiencing prolonged slumps, helping keep them near the top of the Western Conference after a fast start. The impressive start to the season has made the Pelicans a serious threat to win the Southwest Division and perhaps make some noise in the playoffs in 2023.
Who Wins It All?
What team is looking like the best to win the NBA title in 2023? That might be the Milwaukee Bucks, who are just one season removed from their last title. Even with Khris Middleton only making his season debut in early December, the Bucks have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Joe Ingles should also return from injury at some point in 2023, adding to Milwaukee’s depth. More importantly, Milwaukee has Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has already led the Bucks to a championship and still has the strength, star power, and stamina to do it again. With Milwaukee’s supporting cast slowly coming along, Giannis and the Bucks look poised to win their second championship in three years.