The NBA Season starts tonight on TNT the Denver Nuggets will watch their banner be raised to the rafters before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals. I thought it would be a good chance to share my NBA Power rankings before the season and come Sunday, April 14, 2024 see how wrong I was about the top and bottom NBA teams. The Boston Celtics open their season on Wednesday night visiting the New York Knicks with coverage starting at 6:30 with the fastest thirty minutes in the NBA with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell right here on 98.5 the Sports Hub.
I’m big on predictions. So, here are my picks for who wins MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and more.
NBA Champion: Boston Celtics
Others receiving consideration: Nuggets, Bucks, Lakers, Heat, Warriors
MVP: Jayson Tatum
Others receiving consideration: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry
NBA Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren
Others receiving consideration: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, Julian Strawther
NBA Coach of the Year: Joe Mazzulla
Others receiving consideration: Mark Daigneault, Adrian Griffin, Erik Spoelstra, Michael Malone
NBA Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick White
Others receiving consideration: Immanuel Quickely, Malcolm Brogan, Norman Powell, Malik Monk
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Jrue Holiday
Others receiving consideration: Jaren Jackson Jr, Evan Mobley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis
NBA Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey
Others receiving consideration: Mikel Bridges, Jordan Poole, Cade Cunningham, Austin Reaves
Now to the NBA Power Rankings.
1. DENVER NUGGETS
NBA Champions
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 53-29
Apr 11, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) lines up a shot over Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
2. BOSTON CELTICS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 57-25
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
3. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 58-24
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
4. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 43-39
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 28: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Lakers in overtime 125-121. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
5. PHOENIX SUNS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 45-37
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 11: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
6. MIAMI HEAT
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 44-38
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 19: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra speaks with Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
7. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 44-38
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 02: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during the Warriors’ media day on October 02, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
8. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 51-31
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands on the court during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. New York defeated Cleveland 106-95 to win the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
9. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
2022-23 Regular Season Record: 51-31
Jan 18, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
11-30 The rest of the NBA
Dec 21, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the second quarter at the TD Garden. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
11. Clippers
12. 76ers
13. Kings
14. Wolves
15. Mavs
16. Hawks
17. Pelicans
18. Pacers
19. Raptors
20. Thunder
21. Bulls
22. Magic
23. Nets
24. Rockets
25. Spurs
26. Jazz
27. Blazers
28. Pistons
29. Wizards
30. Hornets
