Well, here we go again.

Just 2 months after the LA Lakers and LeBron James vanquished the upstart Miami Heat to win the NBA Finals in six games, hoops is back.

And we can’t wait any longer.

After the weirdest 18 months in league history, including an unprecedented offseason in 2019 that saw a multitude of stars switch teams, an overseas fiasco involving Daryl Morey and China, a pair of deaths in January that rocked the NBA community, a 5-month hiatus from play, and a thrilling finish to the season courtesy of Walt Disney World, NBA basketball is back yet again for more. With all the preseason and training camp for all 30 teams underway so soon, it speaks volumes to the adaptability of commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA that they were able to put together not only a restart, but also an offseason complete with a free agency period and an entirely new NBA season in far less than ample time. With all the preparation nearly in the books, it’s time to look towards the future, as even a Laker title in honor of the Mamba won’t be dwelled upon in today’s ever-changing Association.

All that matters is if you can do it again.

Without further ado, here are the picks:

Eastern Conference:

1. Brooklyn Nets
2. Milwaukee Bucks
3. Boston Celtics
4. Miami Heat
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Philadelphia 76ers
7. Atlanta Hawks
8. Washington Wizards
9. Charlotte Hornets
10. Indiana Pacers
11. Orlando Magic
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
14. Detroit Pistons
15. New York Knicks

These days, superstar duos are everything in the NBA, and the team to top the East is the one with the best 1-2 punch in the conference. The new-look Nets roll to the 1 seed behind stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as well as a solid bench consisting of Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Co. The Milwaukee Bucks come in at second behind another stellar season from two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and after that it’s anyone’s game. Teams 3-5 are as close as can be, and if Philadelphia pulls the trigger on a James Harden trade we could be in for a four-horse race at that spot. It gets even crazier in the 3rd tier of East teams.Each team from seeds 7-13 has a chance at a playoff spot, with all seven teams boasting at least one potential All-Star and some even having two. Finally, the hapless Pistons and Knicks take the bottom two spots, with Detroit’s lack of cohesion in a polarized old vs. young players roster and the Knicks’ lack of any sort of direction being cause for what is poised to be a dreary season for both squads.

Western Conference:

1. L.A. Lakers
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. L.A Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Utah Jazz
7. Phoenix Suns
8. New Orleans Pelicans
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Houston Rockets
12. Sacramento Kings
13. San Antonio Spurs
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Oklahoma City Thunder

Out west, each time from spots 1-11 has a chance not only to make the playoffs, but contend, making for one of the most stacked conference races in recent memory. No surprise seeing LeBron and AD’s Lakeshow at the one spot, followed by MVP Luka Doncic and the upstart Mavericks at No.2. The 3-5 spots are all established teams with proven playoff stars, and the team that ends up at No.5 could very well be a contender for No.1. Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz back to the dance behind his first career 25-ppg season, and the new-look Suns as well as the youthful Pelicans round out the playoff picture. The 9 seeded Grizzlies barely miss out, as 2019 No.2 overall draft pick Ja Morant fights tooth and nail but falls just short to No.1 pick Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in the race for the 8 seed, while the Blazers and Rockets move closer to their inevitable rebuilds following disappointing seasons (assuming James Harden finds his way out of H-Town). The Kings young core isn’t quite there yet, while San Antonio descends further into the all-too unfamiliar depths of mediocrity. Minnesota once again disappoints, as Anthony Edwards proves to be the quintessential Timberwolves lottery pick with all the talent in the world with none of the work ethic. OKC tanks as expected, but unlike most lottery teams, the Thunder are primed to contend for the next decade with an unprecedented haul of draft picks courtesy of trade wizard Sam Presti.

Playoffs First Round:

(1)Nets 4-2 (8)Wizards

The Russell Westbrook revenge tour comes to a close against an old friend, as despite the Brodie’s Herculean efforts to will the Wizards to two wins, the Nets’ star power overwhelms Washington in 6.

(2)Bucks 4-0 (7)Hawks

No contest here; the Hawks are too young and the Bucks’ all-around defense overwhelms Atlanta in four blowout games.

(3)Celtics 4-1 (6)76ers

This may be a far different story if Philly lands James Harden. However, as it stands, Boston takes care of their divisional rivals in a gentleman’s sweep.

(4)Heat 4-2 (5)Raptors

The last two Eastern Conference champs go head-to-head in a physical war of attrition. Ultimately, Miami’s insane cohesion is too much, and the defending East champs dance on to the second round.

(1)Lakers 4-1 (8)Pelicans

The potential changing of the guard we never got last season comes to fruition in 2021, and the young Pelicans are no match for the best player in the world. LeBron and the Lakers lose a feel-out game to start off, and roll through the next four nearly uncontested as the anointed prince of the league, Zion Williamson, proves no match for a King.

(2)Mavericks 4-2 (7)Suns

MVP Luka Doncic averages a triple-double over six games, as the electrifying Suns have no answer for the NBA’s wonderboy. However, the budding duo of DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker get their first taste of the postseason, and look to contend for the foreseeable future behind the leadership of the Point God, Chris Paul.

(6) Jazz 4-3 (3)Clippers

The Clipper curse continues, as the little brother of Staples Center blows a 3-2 lead against a fired up Donovan Mitchell, and two straight years of failure from a loaded Clipper roster leave the team with far more questions than answers.

(4)Warriors 4-2 (5)Nuggets

While the Nuggets are an experienced postseason team in their own right, having played four Game 7s in the past two seasons, the Warriors are too much, and the leadership of Steph Curry and Draymond Green juxtaposed with the refreshing young talent of Kelly Oubre, James Wiseman, and Eric Paschall wins a tough series in 6.

Second Round:

(1)Nets 4-3 (4)Heat

The one seed versus the defending conference champs, and in the end the Nets prevail despite the best efforts of Jimmy Butler’s Heat. Miami can do no more than contain Kevin Durant, and the Nets roll on to the conference finals.

(2)Bucks 4-2 (3)Celtics

A determined Giannis averages 30 points and 15 rebounds a game as Milwaukee’s Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday shuts down Boston on both ends of the floor.

(1)Lakers 4-1 (4)Warriors

The King is out for revenge, and not even Steph Curry’s Warriors stand a chance in his path as LeBron vanquishes the demons of Finals past en route to the conference finals.

(2)Mavericks 4-3 (6)Jazz

Donovan Mitchell continues to play like a man possessed, but even his best efforts are to no avail in a Game 7 duel with Luka Doncic as the young Mavs roll on to face their toughest test yet.

Conference Finals:

(1)Nets 4-2 (2)Bucks

Durant runs rampant on Giannis’s Bucks, as even Milwaukee’s top defense cannot hold the most versatile scorer ever for six games. Giannis considers his options in free agency, and his decision next offseason will shape the future of the league as we know it.

(1)Lakers 4-3 (2)Mavericks

In arguably the best series of the playoffs, the best player of today duels the GOAT of tomorrow as Luka manages to keep up with LeBron blow for blow for the entire series. In the end, even Luka is no match for the King in Game 7, and LeBron rolls on to his 11th career NBA Finals.

NBA Finals:

(1)Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 (1)Brooklyn Nets

Even with all the parity in the league this season, the same man remains standing once the dust settles, and it is the same man who has dominated the league in relentless fashion for almost two decades. Kevin Durant stakes his claim as the league’s second best player with a brilliant Finals performance, but the Slim Reaper and his partner in crime meet the end to their season at the hands of the man who once won it all with Kyrie Irving himself. Another year of revenge and adversity, and yet another title for LeBron James, otherwise known as the Greatest of All Time.

Finals MVP: LeBron James, Lakers

Awards:

MVP: Luka Doncic, Mavericks

DPOY: Anthony Davis, Lakers

ROTY: LaMelo Ball, Hornets

6MOTY: Dennis Schroder, Lakers

MIP: John Collins, Hawks

COTY: Steve Nash, Nets

All-NBA First Team: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry

All-NBA Second Team: Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Nikola Jokic

All-NBA Third Team: Damian Lillard, Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid

All-Defensive First Team: Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday

All-Defensive Second Team: Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Rudy Gobert, Kawhi Leonard

All-Rookie First Team: James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball, Onyeka Okongwu, Deni Avdija, Tyrese Haliburton

All-Rookie Second Team: Obi Toppin, Anthony Edwards, Issac Okoro, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey