From the front-runners to the dark horses, the WTOP Sports staff makes predictions across the league going into the 2016-17 NBA season.
WASHINGTON — Sure, sure, the NBA season has already begun. But we hung on to rolling this bad boy out until the hometown team suited up for the first time. The Washington Wizards open their 2016-17 campaign in Atlanta Thursday night and won’t play their first game at Verizon Center until next Wednesday against Toronto.
So, what should we expect from the Wiz this year? Are we in for another season where Cleveland dominates the East? Will the Warriors set another wins record? The WTOP Sports staff takes its best crack at all that, plus each person’s one bold prediction for the 2016-17 NBA season.
How many games will the Golden State Warriors win?
J. Brooks, sports anchor: 68
Chris Cichon, sports anchor: 70
Noah Frank, digital sports editor: 68
Dave Preston, sports anchor: 65
Jon Warner, sports anchor: 74
Rob Woodfork, sports anchor: 70
Which team that missed the playoffs last year will make it this year?
J. Brooks: Milwaukee Bucks
Chris Cichon: Minnesota Timberwolves
Noah Frank: Minnesota Timberwolves
Dave Preston: New Orleans Pelicans
Jon Warner: Washington Wizards
Rob Woodfork: Washington Wizards
Which team that made the NBA Playoffs last year will miss them this year?
J. Brooks: Miami Heat
Chris Cichon: Charlotte Hornets
Noah Frank: Dallas Mavericks
Dave Preston: Miami Heat
Jon Warner: Dallas Mavericks
Rob Woodfork: Miami Heat
Who will win the MVP?
J. Brooks: Kevin Durant
Chris Cichon: LeBron James
Noah Frank: Karl-Anthony Towns
Dave Preston: LeBron James
Jon Warner: Russell Westbrook
Rob Woodfork: LeBron James
How many games will John Wall and Bradley Beal start together this season?
J. Brooks: 35
Chris Cichon: 62
Noah Frank: 55
Dave Preston: 52
Jon Warner: 76
Rob Woodfork: 52
(AP/Alex Brandon)
AP/Alex Brandon
How many games will the Wizards win and in what place will they finish in the division?
J. Brooks: 40 wins, 4th place
Chris Cichon: 45 wins, 2nd place
Noah Frank: 44 wins, 3rd place
Dave Preston: 43 wins, 3rd place
Jon Warner: 51 wins, 2nd place
Rob Woodfork: 42 wins, 2nd place
Will that be enough for the Wizards to make the playoffs?
J. Brooks: Yes
Chris Cichon: Yes
Noah Frank: Yes
Dave Preston: Yes
Jon Warner: Yes
Rob Woodfork: Yes
(AP/Evan Vucci)
AP/Evan Vucci
Eastern Conference Champs: Cleveland Cavaliers, or the field?
J. Brooks: The field
Chris Cichon: Cavs
Noah Frank: The field
Dave Preston: Cavs
Jon Warner: Cavs
Rob Woodfork: Cavs
What is your one bold prediction?
J. Brooks: LeBron James suffers a season-ending injury.
Chris Cichon: Phil Jackson resigns midway through the Knicks season.
Noah Frank: The Minnesota Timberwolves win at least one playoff series.
Dave Preston: The Lakers will be much better, winning between 35-40 games and just missing the playoffs.
Jon Warner: Brandon Ingram wins Rookie of the Year.
Rob Woodfork: Tomas Satoransky plays so well in Beal’s stead, the team entertains trade offers for Beal to no avail.
