Predicting Every Division Winner for the 2022-23 Season
The NBA season is quickly approaching, with teams giving us a sneak preview of their play in the preseason. While they do that, I will try to predict every division winner for this upcoming season.
Western Conference
Northwest Division: Minnesota Timberwolves
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn/USA Today Sports
The Minnesota Timberwolves went all-out this offseason to acquire three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to pair with fellow big man Karl Anthony-Towns. This frontcourt has the capability to be a good offensive and defensive duo. Towns can focus on stretching the court and knock down mid-range and three-pointers, while Gobert will hold down the paint as he usually does.
Anthony Edwards should only continue to be better as a young star in this league. D’Angelo Russell is still a good scorer to pair with Edwards in the backcourt. Lastly, the roster has a bunch of good role players in Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels, Taurean Prince, Naz Reid, and Austin Rivers. I want to choose the Denver Nuggets, but I’m skeptical about how well Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. can play off their respective injuries.
Pacific Division: Los Angeles Clippers
Photo Credit: VCG Photo
It was a tossup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors, but I went with the Clippers because of the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers did pretty well without Leonard last season and were close to making the playoffs with just George at the helm. With Leonard returning, I just feel that this duo will be tough to counter, and they have the pieces around them to do well. Not to discredit what Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have done as a duo, but at this time, I think Leonard and George are better.
Southwest Division: New Orleans Pelicans
Photo Credit: Andrew Wevers/USA Today Sports
Zion Williamson has looked better than ever. He will be the main reason the Pelicans will win their division this year. Much like the Clippers almost making the playoffs last year, the Pelicans actually made the playoffs. They almost took the number one-seeded Suns to seven games. But, if Williamson were playing in that series, I wouldn’t be surprised if the outcome has changed to a Pelican series win. CJ McCollum has proved to be a good veteran scorer to go along with Brandon Ingram. Plus, they just got a lot of good role players in Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., Devonte Graham, and more. This feels like a breakout team that can do well this season.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division: Philadelphia 76ers
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Last year’s scoring champ and MVP runner-up Joel Embiid should feel pretty good about his squad this season as this is the best supporting cast he’s had. The big move was getting P.J Tucker, who has proven to be a good defender and can occasionally knock down a three here and there. Next, they traded for De’Anthony Melton at the draft, who in his time in Memphis was an all-around solid scorer who came off the bench and should do the same with the 76ers. They also signed Montrezl Harrell, who can be a nice backup behind Embiid.
But this all comes down to James Harden, who took a pay cut to make these moves possible and recently said at 76ers media day that he lost “100 pounds.” A committed James Harden can be deadly along with Embiid, and I feel confident they can win the division.
Central Division: Cleveland Cavaliers
Photo Credit: John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Here is my surprise pick of it all, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Adding Donovan Mitchell was a surprise, but he is a proven scorer that can be key to a bunch of young talent that the Cavs currently possess. Darius Garland had his breakout last year as he proved to be one of the best young point guards in the league and now has a back mate in Mitchell that can be one of the better backcourt duos. Not to mention, they already have a really good frontcourt duo in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. These four alone can win you a lot of games.
Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks
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The Atlanta Hawks made a splash move of their own with the acquisition of former Spurs guard Dejounte Murray to pair along with Trae Young. Just take last year’s series against the Heat, where Young was struggling, and add a backcourt mate like Murray who can help lessen the weight off Young’s shoulders. In this league, having a duo seems to be the way for stars to succeed, and Atlanta certainly has one that can win their division. Plus, last year’s winner, the Miami Heat, did not improve their roster really at all this offseason and lost Tucker, who helped the Heat to become a top-five defensive-rated team last season.
