The 2016-2017 NBA season is finally upon us. This past summer was full of surprising and exciting acquisitions and trades, most notably the signing of Kevin Durant in Golden State and former Bulls stars Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah moving to the New York Knicks. Other major stories include the retirement of both Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, two of the greatest to ever play the game, and the much awaited debut of Joel Embiid, the #1 overall pick in the 2014 Draft. Much has changed in the last 365 days in the NBA, and all fans are looking forward for what this season has to bring.
NBA Finals Preview: Although many teams made improvements this offseason, most notably the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, there will once again be no parity in which teams will be playing for the championship in late May. The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off their first-ever championship, will once again easily progress through the Eastern Conference behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Similarly, with the addition of Kevin Durant, the Warriors will have no major problems until they meet LeBron and the Cavs. However, due to the addition of perhaps the second best player in the NBA this season, adding to a lineup already boasting three all-stars, one of whom (Stephen Curry), was the first-ever unanimous MVP last season, I project that the Golden State Warriors will win this year’s Finals.
MVP: For the past three years, the MVP race has been decided between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. However, with the addition of Kevin Durant, Curry will have to play a smaller role this season, which will affect his stats negatively. This season, I believe the MVP race will come down to Russell Westbrook, now enjoying much greater autonomy in Oklahoma City, and LeBron James, the greatest player in the world, and perhaps ever. LeBron will bring home his fifth MVP trophy, but will be lacking the hardware he wishes for most: the NBA championship.