2016-17 NBA Season Predictions: LeBron vs. Steph III
After the Cavs hoisted the NBA championship in Cleveland, and after an offseason which included former MVP Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors, the NBA regular season is just around the corner. So much excitement, so much hype, I can hardly wait! The Cavaliers are expected to be the favorites in the Eastern Conference. As for the Western Conference, it is up for grabs. The new look Warriors, featuring Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Durant will look to take care of unfinished business as they blew a three games-to-one NBA Finals lead. But the Spurs, the Thunder, and the Clippers will have something to say about it.
The NBA will miss some big-name legends, however. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett are two notable retirees definitely heading to the Basketball Hall of Fame one day. Yet, the surplus of rookie talent coming into the league will be fun. Sixers forward Ben Simmons and Lakers forward/guard Brandon Ingram headline the NBA rookie class of 2016-17.
After all the storylines and all the offseason free agent signings/trades, the NBA is back. The regular season will kick off next week, and fans could not be more pumped up. Anything is possible. As for the early predictions, I have Golden State and Cleveland meeting in the NBA Finals for the third consecutive season, with the Warriors outlasting the Cavaliers in seven games.