NBA Season Preview

With the NBA tipping off later this month, let’s look at some predictions for the upcoming season.

NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns (4-1)

Both of these franchises have made major moves this offseason, turning themselves into legitimate super teams. Most recently the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard from Portland, allowing the Suns to replace Deandre Ayton with Jusuf Nurkic in a three-team trade.

Phoenix also acquired one longtime Washington Wizard Bradley Beal, pairing him up with Devin Booker to form one of the most potent backcourts in the league. Throw Kevin Durant in the mix and it’s tough to imagine any team’s top three competing with Phoenix’s.

What hurts the Suns is their lack of depth. This was not the case for Phoenix’s 2021 team which won the Western Conference, now Booker is the only remaining player from that roster.

On the other hand, the Bucks still have several key players from their finals roster which beat that same Suns team, plus they added one of the best point guards of the last decade.

I feel like Dame’s desire to win a ring combined with the Buck’s championship experience will be too much for any team to handle.

MVP: Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics

It seems like for Jayson Tatum, the question is more a question of when he’ll win an MVP award as opposed to if he’ll win one.

I believe the answer to that question is this year. The additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis make this one of the most talented rosters Tatum has played with.

With Holiday’s playmaking and Porzingis’ ability to stretch the floor, opportunities for Tatum should be plentiful. This roster might be stacked, but that won’t stop Tatum from having a career year, it’ll only help him.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Memphis Grizzlies

Following a Defensive Player of the Year campaign in which he averaged three blocks per game, I believe Jaren Jackson Jr. will claim this trophy once again.

Voter fatigue has never seemed to be a factor in this award before, and Jaren Jackson has gotten better every year he’s been in the league.

I believe Jackson will outperform last year’s campaign, helping an already strong defense become one of the best we’ve seen in years.

Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

I know it’s the easy choice to predict that one of the most hyped first-overall picks of all time will win Rookie of the Year. But I’m not choosing Wembanyama because of the hype, I’m choosing him because of the coaching.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest of all time when it comes to bringing out the best of players. It’s both exciting and scary to imagine what Popovich will be able to do with a player who has abilities like Wembanyama.

The only real issue surrounding the French phenom is his frame, he’ll need to put on some weight to make it through the grind of an 82-game season.

Declan Stablow is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, reach out to djs7159@psu.edu.