The 2018-19 NBA season begins tonight so the Denver Stiffs are here to put their predictions in writing, with a whole slew of guesses. Tomorrow we’ll drop our Denver Nuggets predictions. Make your predictions in the comment section below!
Want to walk down memory lane for last season? Check those out here.
NBA MVP
By Daniel Lewis
Kawhi Leonard. I think that with the change to the Eastern Conference and his desire to show that he’s still the player he used to be, Kawhi is about to have a monster season. The Raptors have a new head coach, who can craft an offense around Kawhi’s ability to attack off the dribble, and they could have a fearsome defense. Kawhi would have to lead the Raptors to the best record in the league, which is only possible because of their conference affiliation, and lead the Raptors to one of the top three defenses in the league.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | James Harden | Giannis Antetokounmpo | LeBron James | LeBron James | Giannis Antetokounmpo | LeBron James |
Most Improved Player
By Jeremy Poley
Kevin Love - This guy used to be thought of as one of the top 10 players in the NBA. It’s been about five years since that was the predominant thought - the exact same amount of time it’s been since he last played without LeBron. Being on a team without LeBron, without any serious post-season aspirations, becoming the #1 shooting option, and playing 34+ mpg again will see this 30 year old stud with gas left in his tank return to familiar all-star statistical heights.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Murray | Kevin Love | Brandon Ingram | Jamal Murray | Jamal Murray | Lonzo Ball | Julius Randle |
Defensive Player of the Year
By Zach Mikash
Joel Embiid. Embiid is one of the biggest rising stars in the NBA and his defense is a big reason. The risk with picking him for a season long award is obviously whether or not he will stay healthy all year but if he does then he’ll be an absolute monster statistically on the defensive end as well as being an absolute monster in general on the defensive end which should be enough to win this award.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Davis | Rudy Gobert | Anthony Davis | Joel Embiid | Clint Capela | Joel Embiid | Rudy Gobert |
Rookie of the Year
By Gordon Gross
Luka Doncic. He’s the most ready for immediate impact. He’s been playing against grown-ass men for years already and he’s completely unafraid. He’ll get lots of minutes with plenty of shots on a non-playoff team. It’s all part of the recipe.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeAndre Ayton | Luka Doncic | Luka Doncic | Luka Doncic | DeAndre Ayton | Luka Doncic | Luka Doncic |
Sixth Man of the Year
By Kayla Osby
Carmelo Anthony will potentially be coming off the bench for the first time in his career this season, and it could go one of two ways. He could be exactly what the Houston Rockets’ bench needs and could dominate second units with his scoring ability, or he could fade into oblivion as James Harden and Chris Paul steal the show. However, I’ll have some faith in Melo and say that he will be able to make a case as the sixth man of the year on the Rockets this year.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyreke Evans | Lou Williams | J.J. Redick | Tyreke Evans | Carmelo Anthony | Lou Williams | Lou Williams |
Coach of the Year
By Jeremy Poley
Brad Stevens - After a slow and consistent build of his first professional NBA team, Stevens finally gets to the big show and competes in the NBA finals. He’ll have proved his coaching ilk more than the coach of the unquestionably most talented roster in the NBA - the Golden State Warriors.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quin Snyder | Brad Stevens | Michael Malone | Brad Stevens | Brad Stevens | Mike Budenholzer | Quin Snyder |
GM of the Year
By Daniel Lewis
Magic Johnson. He signed LeBron James and the Meme Squad - if they make the playoffs, he’s going to be heralded for turning around the Lakers. In reality, he was the lucky guy to be in charge when James became a free agent and wanted to live near Hollywood so he can develop his media empire. The Lakers continue to fall up.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Johnson | Jon Horst | Masai Ujiri | Magic Johnson | Sam Presti | Masai Ujiri | Danny Ainge |
With the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, which team will be making that pick?
By Gordon Gross
Atlanta Hawks. I can’t pick the Sacramento Kings because they can’t even win the lottery, so the Hawks seem a likely choice as they break in some new gunner options and are set up to pick high right out of the gate.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | Brooklyn Nets | Atlanta Hawks | Philadelphia 76ers | Sacramento Kings | Atlanta Hawks | Atlanta Hawks |
Northwest Division Champ
By Zach Mikash
Utah Jazz. Utah is the best team in the best division in basketball. It could easily be any of the 5 NW teams (well, maybe not the Timberwolves) but with Utah’s defense and Donovan Mitchell with another year under his belt I think they have to be the favorites.
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Utah Jazz | Utah Jazz | Utah Jazz | Utah Jazz | Utah Jazz | Utah Jazz |
Pacific Division Champ
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors |
Southwest Division Champ
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets |
Atlantic Division Champ
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics | Boston Celtics | Boston Celtics | Boston Celtics |
Central Division Champ
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee Bucks | Milwaukee Bucks |
Western Conference Finals
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz vs Warriors | Warriors vs Rockets | Warriors vs Rockets | Jazz vs Warriors | Warriors vs Rockets | Warriors vs Rockets | Warriors vs Rockets |
Eastern Conference Finals
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics vs Raptors | Celtics vs 76ers | Celtics vs Bucks | Celtics vs Raptors | Celtics vs Raptors | Celtics vs Raptors | Celtics vs Bucks |
NBA Finals Champion
| Daniel Lewis | Jeremy Poley | Ryan Blackburn | Zach Mikash | Kayla Osby | Adam Mares | Gordon Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics | Warriors over Celtics |