2014-15 NBA Season Preview: MVP, All-NBA, and Playoff Predictions

Image via sportswol.com

Here we are.  NBA Day.  It's been a long few months and yet with the NBA Finals finishing in June, then the Draft, off-season, NBA Summer League, and even a bonus FIBA World Cup tournament, we've barely been without basketball.  Today is the day though.  It's the instant all that speculation and all those predictions become almost immediately invalidated.  That's alright though.  Starting tonight, there will always be a fresh batch of basketball games to talk about.  New information to help inform us.  Our studies begin tonight.


Anyway, no need to drag this out.  It's about time to watch some basketball.  Thank you to all that took the time to read some of the ramblings of two obsessed hoop heads in our 2014-15 NBA Season Preview Series.  Thanks to those that reached out with words of encouragement, support, and helpful advice.  

Today, the season begins.  Before that, here's a look at our MVPs and All-NBA teams and our predictions for the playoffs.  We'll be sure to look back at these in two months and note just how wrong we were:

Paul's Picks:                               Chris's Picks:
MVP Ballot: MVP Ballot:
1. Russell Westbrook 1. LeBron
2. LeBron James 2. Durant
3. Kevin Durant 3. Dwight
4. Blake Griffin 4. Blake
5. James Harden 5. Curry

All-NBA First Team: All-NBA First Team:
G Russell Westbrook G Westbrook
G Steph Curry G Curry
F LeBron James F LeBron
F Kevin Durant F Durant
C Dwight Howard C Dwight

2nd Team: 2nd Team:
G Chris Paul G Paul
G James Harden G Kobe Bryant
F LaMarcus Aldridge F Griffin
F Blake Griffin F Love
C Marc Gasol C Marc Gasol

3rd Team: 3rd Team:
G Kyrie Irving G Harden
G Tony Parker G Kyle Lowry
F Carmelo Anthony F Aldridge
F Kevin Love F Anthony Davis
C Joakim Noah C DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins

Eastern Conference: Eastern Conference:

1. Cavaliers 1. Cavaliers

2. Bulls 2. Bulls

3. Wizards 3. Raptors

4. Raptors 4. Wizards

5. Hawks 5. Hawks

6. Hornets 6. Hornets

7. Heat 7. Heat

8. Nets 8. Pacers

Western Conference: Western Conference:

1. Spurs 1. Clippers

2. Clippers 2. Spurs

3. Thunder 3. Thunder
4. Grizzlies 4. Rockets
5. Rockets 5. Grizzlies
6. Warriors 6. Warriors
7. Mavericks 7. Mavericks
8. Trail Blazers                                                                8. Trail Blazers