Another NBA season, another chance to cut-and-paste my Finals prediction from last year! I’ve looked deep into my crystal replica NBA ball and have foreseen–a fourth straight Warriors/Cavs matchup. The Warriors show no signs of slowing down, barring an injury to Steph or KD, and nothing about the Celtics’ off-season wheeling and dealing leaves me convinced that they’re ultimately any better than the Cavs. When push comes to shove, LeBron’s still going to find a way to beat Boston in the playoffs. . . This year’s MVP will be the aforementioned Mr. James, in a walkover. Westbrook’s numbers will take a hit due to the welcome presence of Paul George and Carmelo, KD and Curry will continue to split votes, and everyone will realize that they’re not going to get many more chances to give MVPs to King James. . . Back to the Celtics: this year will be the ultimate test of Brad Stevens’ coaching skills. Can he get Kyrie Irving to play any defense at all? The smart money is on “Hell No!”. . . 
My pick for Rookie of the Year isn’t named Lonzo or Markelle and didn’t “hone his skills” in terrible AAU tourneys. It’s none other than the Clippers’ new Serbian point guard Milos Teodosic, formerly known as the best point guard in Europe. Unlike most of the league’s 19-year-old rookies, Milos has been playing at a high level for years and is ready to step right in and take his place as one of the league’s best passers. That is, unless Doc “I’m Still the Coach?” Rivers decides to start his son Austin at the point, which should never happen in a sane world. No telling with the good Doc, though. . . The team I’m most looking forward to watching is the Timberwolves. Tom Thibodeau has assembled an exciting, talented squad led by my favorite young player, Karl-Anthony Towns. Adding Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford to the mix makes them a lock for the playoffs. They’re a team no one will want to face down the stretch, unless Thibodeau’s plan to play his starters 47 minutes a night somehow backfires. . . Defensive Player of the Year? I’m gonna say Dwight Howard, who’s sure to get plenty defensive once reporters start asking him why he currently sucks. . . It’ll be interesting to see how the Rocket’s season plays out with Chris Paul and James Harden, two of the game’s most ball-dominant players, on the floor together. I think it’ll actually go just fine until CP3’s inevitable February injury. . . 
Speaking of teams that might need more than one ball on the court at a time, Oklahoma City will be another intriguing experiment. I predict that Westbrook and PG13 make an incredible pair, Carmelo becomes a deadly spot-up third option, and the Thunder roll to the third-best record in the West. Then Paul George re-ups with OKC and breaks the hearts of delusional Laker fans throughout the Southland. . . Your Western Conference playoff teams, in order: Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Rockets, T-wolves, Jazz, Clippers, Nuggets. . . Eastern Conference playoff teams: Cavs, Celtics, 6 other crappy teams that have zero chance of making anyone nervous. . . The over/under on national media stories about LeBron signing with the Lakers: 23,000. . . I know the NBA is trying to avoid “kneel for the anthem” controversies of the NFL, but I was rather surprised by Commissioner Silver’s solution. For the 2017-2018 season, NBA games will start with KISS’ “Lick It Up” instead of the “Star Spangled Banner.” I find it a welcome change that will help unite crowds everywhere in their shared hatred of Paul Stanley. . . Enjoy the season, everyone!
Greg Popovich for president!