At the end of last year, the Golden State Warriors exacted revenge on the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning the NBA championship in five games. Some fans enjoyed watching Kevin Durant win a trophy with his new team while others did not like that Durant joined forces Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to form a “Super Team.”

Well, this offseason was even more exciting that the last, one of the best we have ever seen. Perennial All-Star Chris Paul joined the Houston Rockets, Gordon Hayward signed with the Boston Celtics, Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Kyrie Irving to the Celtics. There was also a very loaded draft class. And then, one day before the start of the preseason, Carmelo Anthony’s time with the New York Knicks finally came to and end with a much expected trade. However, the recipient was not the Rockets or Cavaliers, but instead the new “Super Team” Thunder. (Since publication of this article, Dwayne Wade received a buy-out from the Bulls and joined his friend LeBron James in Cleveland.)

So how will this season turn out. Before I make my predictions on how the teams will finish in each conference, here are some of my thoughts about individual players.

I think fans in New York have the sleeper performer in the league in D’Angelo Russell. He was finally traded to a team where the ball will be in his hands and he can flourish as a scorer. He will be handed the keys to the offense and be the floor general and leader for the Brooklyn Nets, a team desperate to atone for the disastrous trade that sent three number one picks to the Boston Celtics a few years ago. Another player to keep an eye on is Dennis Schroder. He averaged 18 points and six assists last year. This is his fourth year in the league, and the Atlanta Hawks lost their main scorer in Paul Milsap who signed with the Denver Nuggets. Schroder should be the main guy in Atlanta. Another player in line for a great season is Myles Turner. He averaged 15 points and seven rebounds during his rookie season. Without George, he will obviously have more offensive opportunities for the Indiana Pacers. Look for several more double-doubles from the young Pacer star. The Eastern Conference is so weak that Indiana could sneak into the playoffs. I think Russell will average 26 points, four assists and three rebounds while Schroder will tally 22 points, six assists and three rebounds. Turner should be good for 21 points, nine rebounds and three assists. My prediction is that Russell will win the Most Improved Player award at the end of the season.

Now for the star-studded rookie class. As strong as the players drafted were, the addition of Ben Simmons to this group (he was injured all of last year) makes the race for Rookie of the Year to be quite exciting. Two guards getting much attention were the first two selections: Markelle Fultz (Philadelphia 76ers) and Lonzo Ball (Los Angeles Lakers). I think the player chosen number four by the Phoenix Suns, Josh Jackson, might be as good as both of the guards, assuming he works on his outside shot. Jackson is already a great defender with tremendous athleticism. But the star of this group will likely be Ben Simmons. Don’t forget about the seven-footer Lauri Markkanen. Part of the Jimmy Butler trade, the product out of Arizona will have plenty of playing time for the rebuilding Chicago Bulls. He wil be able to spread the floor with his three-point shooting ability and be the perfect pick-and-roll player. Another possibility for first-team All-Rookie is Zach Collins. Even though he did not start for Gonzaga, Collins is the perfect big man. He can score in the post, block shots and rebound. I think he will earn starting minutes for the Portland Trailblazers. As far as statistical predictions: Collins (11 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 apg), Markkanen (17 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg), Simmons (16 ppg, 8 apg, 4 rpg), Ball (18 ppg, 7 apg and 4 rpg). But my prediction for Rookie of the Year is Fultz (24 ppg, 3 apg, 2 rpg), not just because of his scoring numbers but due to the impact he will have in the win column, leading the 76ers to the playoffs.

Now, everything is not about offense so let’s talk about the top defenders in the league. I have to put Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green on this team. I love Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz but I don’t think his team will make the playoffs this year, so this might hurt his vote totals for first team All-Defense. DeAndre Jordan should fill up the block category yet again while Anthony Davis will be his usual dominant player all over the court. The final player on the team should be the newest member of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul, who fans are hoping will have an impact on James Harden. Defensive player of the year will be Anthony Davis.

Teams need more than five starters these days to compete. Sixth men are valuable commodities. The best in the league are Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets), Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors), and Lou Williams (Los Angeles Clippers). Gordon should get even more open shots with Chris Paul while Iguodala will receive more minutes as Durant takes a few more breaks this year. But a motivated Williams, having been traded twice in three months, will average 22 points for the Clippers and take home the award.

Now what you have all been waiting for, the much coveted Most Valuable Player award. And believe it or not, I have a very controversial first-team all NBA. At the point guard slot, I have Russell Westbrook. Last year’s MVP might not put up the same numbers again, but will still be the best at his position. I see 27 ppg, seven assists and four rebounds. At shooting guard, James Harden will lead the league in scoring with 33 ppg. Leonard will be rewarded for his all-around game while LeBron James will be his usual spectacular self. But my surprise pick for first-team All NBA, and this year’s MVP, is Milwaukee Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek-Freak should average 28 points, nine assists and 11 rebounds per game in leading the Bucks to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Now it’s time for the predicted standings. We will start with the East then the West.     

1. Milwaukee Bucks (56-26)

I believe in the Bucks. With Antetokounmpo improved, and a healthy Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker, they can be the top team in the East. There was just a nine game difference between the Bucks and Celtics last year.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29)

This one is pretty obvious as the Cavs have the best player in the world. But he will probably sit out a lot of games for rest, and they still have to work on chemistry with so many new players and the loss of Irving. Wade only makes them better though.

3. Boston Celtics (51-31)

Honestly, I really like the Celtics adding Hayward and Irving to their roster but without Avery Bradley, they are losing defense. And they now have two shoot-first players. They will have chemistry problems and regress in the loss column this year.

4. Washington Wizards (50-32)

The Wizards are a great team. Now that Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. are developing as all-around players, John Wall and company should be considered a top team. Veteran center Marcin Gortat and great chemistry is a plus.

5. Toronto Raptors (48-34)

The Raptors have a great backcourt in Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry. Both are all-star caliber players. Add Cory Joseph on the bench and this team should make the playoffs yet again.

6. Miami Heat (44-38)

After the All-Star break, the Heat started to gel. There is enough talent for talented head coach Eric Spoelstra to take this team to the playoffs.

7. Detroit Pistons (42-40)

The Pistons do have a good team. They have a defensive stopper and rim protector in Andre Drummond and a perimeter lockdown defender in Avery Bradley. Defense should be this team’s trademark. First-round draft pick Luke Kennard out of Duke could be the next Klay Thompson.

8. Philadelphia 76ers(40-42)

For years, fans have been told to trust the process in Philly. Finally, it seems the process seems to have produced good results. This year, the 76ers will have Joel Embid, if he stays healthy, as a top center in the league. Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz are both athletic monsters. Some people might be skeptical about this team, but I love the roster.

Now for the loaded Wild West, where Westbrook, Harden, Leonard and all of the Warriors have been joined by George, Butler, Milsap and Anthony.   

1. Golden State Warriors (69-13)

This is pretty obvious. The Warriors have no chemistry problems, two MVPS, a top-flight shooter and one of the most rugged players in the league. Unless Durant and Curry get injured, the Warriors are a lock for the one seed.                 

2. Houston Rockets (63-19)

This offseason, the Rockets added Chris Paul, one of the greatest point guards of all time. He can pass, score and of course, play defense. Now they pair him up with James Harden, the best shooting guard in the league, and a phenomenal scorer. They are probably the best backcourt in the NBA.  

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (61-21)

The Thunder added Paul George, a fantastic all-star player who does not need to dominate the ball. This is great news for Westbrook who will still have the ball in his hands most of the time. And now they have added Carmelo Anthony, a player who is a phenomenal spot-up shooter and one of the greatest forwards of all time. This will be a great team.

4. San Antonio Spurs (58-24)

The Spurs are arguably the most dominant team of the last 20 years, winning five championships with only one loss to Lebron and the Heat. This year, they will continue to be a well-coached, veteran team. But do they have enough to contend with the elite in the league? Leonard is by far the best two-way player in the league.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

This year, the Timberwolves added Jimmy Butler to an already strong young core of players. One of the best two-way players, Butler, reunited with his former coach Tom Thibodeau, hopes his presence will assist in the development of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Thibodeau is one of the best defensive coaches of all tie. And Towns, my favorite player in the league, is a beast in the post.

6. Denver Nuggets (49-33)

Last year was an amazing breakout for Nikola Jokic. The Nuggest also have a rising talent in Jamal Murray. Adding veteran Paul Milsap should help this team, that just barely missed the playoffs last year, advance to the postseason.

7. Portland Trailblazers (42-40)

The Blazers earned the eighth seed last year, but were still a very talented team. With Damian Lillard, one of the top point guards in the league, along with C.J. McCollum and Jursif Nurkic, Portland hopes to build on its success. Nurkic improved greatly after he was traded. Portland might even perform better than my prediction.

8. Los Angeles Clippers

Even though the Clippers traded away Chris Paul, they still have a solid roster. Blake Griffin is a top player when healthy, DeAndre Jordan is a defensive monster and the additions of Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and European star Milos Teodis should keep the Clippers as the best team in the city.

Future Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant challenged Antetokounmpo to win the MVP. Let’s see if he proves him, and me, right. Enjoy the season.