Want to know what will happen this NBA season? The WTOP Sports staff predicts what the Wizards and the rest of the NBA will do in 2017-2018.
WASHINGTON — The NBA season tipped in Cleveland and Oakland Tuesday night, but begins for Wizards fans in Washington Wednesday evening as the Wiz take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Can they finally get past the second round? Who are their primary competitors out East? Is this the year John Wall contends for an MVP? Can anyone stop the Warriors?
The WTOP Sports staff attempts to answer these questions and more in this year’s predictions.
(Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images)
Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images
Who will win more games: Cavaliers or Celtics?
Chris Cichon, sports anchor: Cavaliers
J. Brooks, sports anchor: Celtics
Noah Frank, digital sports editor: Celtics
Dave Preston, sports anchor: Celtics
Rob Woodfork, sports anchor: Cavaliers
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Who will be the closest team to challenging the Warriors in the West?
Chris Cichon: Oklahoma City Thunder
J. Brooks: Oklahoma City Thunder
Noah Frank: Oklahoma City Thunder
Dave Preston: Oklahoma City Thunder
Rob Woodfork: Houston Rockets
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
What non-playoff teams from last year will make the playoffs this year?
Chris Cichon: Orlando Magic | Denver Nuggets
J. Brooks: Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks
Noah Frank: Philadelphia 76ers | Minnesota Timberwolves
Dave Preston: Miami Heat | New Orleans Pelicans
Rob Woodfork: Philadelphia 76ers | Minnesota Timberwolves
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
What playoff teams from last year will miss the playoffs this year?
Chris Cichon: Chicago Bulls | Memphis Grizzlies
J. Brooks: Indiana Pacers | Portland Trail Blazers
Noah Frank: Chicago Bulls | Portland Trail Blazers
Dave Preston: Indiana Pacers | LA Clippers
Rob Woodfork: Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Which Wizards bench player (non-Kelly Oubre Jr. department) will have the most impact this year?
Chris Cichon: Jodie Meeks
J. Brooks: Carrick Felix
Noah Frank: Jodie Meeks
Dave Preston: Ian Mahinmi
Rob Woodfork: Ian Mahinmi
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Where will John Wall finish in the MVP vote?
Chris Cichon: 10th
J. Brooks: 3rd
Noah Frank: 4th
Dave Preston: 4th
Rob Woodfork: 3rd
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Who will win MVP?
Chris Cichon: LeBron James
J. Brooks: Russell Westbrook
Noah Frank: LeBron James
Dave Preston: LeBron James
Rob Woodfork: Kevin Durant
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
How many games will the Wizards win and what seed will they be in the EC playoffs (if they make it)?
Chris Cichon: 46 | 5th
J. Brooks: 46 | 5th
Noah Frank: 48 | 4th
Dave Preston: 50 | 3rd
Rob Woodfork: 50 | 3rd
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
What is your NBA Finals prediction?
Chris Cichon: Warriors over Cavaliers
J. Brooks: Spurs over Celtics
Noah Frank: Warriors over Celtics
Dave Preston: Celtics over Warriors
Rob Woodfork: Warriors over Cavaliers
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
What is your one bold prediction for the season?
Chris Cichon: Billy Donovan is fired midseason
J. Brooks: LeBron doesn’t finish the season
Noah Frank: “The Process” yields a playoff berth and a first-round upset in Philadelphia
Dave Preston: Markieff Morris never gets right and misses more games than he plays
Rob Woodfork: Joel Embiid plays 80 games, makes the All-Star team
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)