Tich’s NBA Preview 15 predictions for 2014-2015

1. Kobe Bryant will shoot a lot of basketballs.

Make no mistake, the Lakers are going to be bad. Really bad. Like, Wesley-Johnson-is-penciled-into-the-starting-lineup bad. As unlikely as it may be, Bryant is still eyeing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record and is sitting about three high-scoring seasons away from approaching it. When the Lakers are heading into the All-Star break with 15 wins, what is stopping Bryant from taking 30 shots a game? This needs to happen.

2. Stephen Curry will take 700 three-pointers.

The NBA record for three-point attempts in a season is 678 by George McCloud during the ’95-’96 season. With Steve Kerr on board as the Warriors head man, look for Curry to be utilized to his absolute fullest. Unless his ankles flare up, it is a decent bet that Curry will be chucking at an unprecedented rate. For a guy who has shot 44 percent from downtown for his career, why not throw up nine or 10 threes per game?

3. Rajon Rondo will be traded to the Hornets.

The NBA record for three-point attempts in a season is 678 by George McCloud during the ’95-’96 season. With Steve Kerr on board as the Warriors head man, look for Curry to be utilized to his absolute fullest. Unless his ankles flare up, it is a decent bet that Curry will be chucking at an unprecedented rate. For a guy who has shot 44 percent from downtown for his career, why not throw up nine or 10 threes per game?

4. Carmelo Anthony will win the scoring title.

With Kevin Durant missing a huge chunk of the season and possibly not qualifying, Anthony is a no-brainer to win his second scoring title in three years. Curry and James Harden might challenge him, and Russell Westbrook will put up plenty of points while Durant is sidelined, but it will be a shock if somebody other than Anthony leads the league in scoring this year.

5. Anthony Davis will finish third in MVP voting.

We knew Anthony Davis would be good. Out of high school, he was the No. 1-rated recruit in the nation. In his only year at the University of Kentucky, Davis won Player of the Year and brought a National Championship to Lexington. He was an obvious choice to be drafted No. 1 overall in the subsequent NBA Draft by the Hornets in 2012. In his second season, the unibrowed big man led the league in blocks and showed off a versatile offensive skillset. “The Brow” will win an MVP award before his career is done.

6. People will learn how to spell Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name.

Or everyone could just call him “The Alphabet” or “The Greek Freak.” Either way, he is going to become more than just a rookie who played better than expected. Bucks Head Coach Jason Kidd loves Antetokounmpo and has even toyed with playing the 6-foot-10 19 year old at point guard. He is going to be fun to watch.

7. Andrew Wiggins will win Rookie of the Year.

Jabari Parker is going to put up numbers in Milwaukee, but Wiggins’ immediate impact will be felt more than most are suspecting. He is already an elite athlete, even by NBA standards, and the Timberwolves have the personnel to take advantage of that. The Wiggins Rookie Highlight Reel might end up at Sundance.

8. The Hawks will finish third in the East.

Al Horford missing almost two-thirds of last year with a torn pectoral killed the Hawks’ season. While he may not have the name recognition of other top big men, Horford is one of the best in the league. Look no further than the Hawks performance with and without Horford last year. In 29 games with Horford, they went 16-13. Without Horford: 22-31. Horford and the Hawks will be ready to swoop in on the regressing top half of the Eastern Conference this year.

9. The Knicks will be good again.

Or at least make the playoffs. Everything went wrong at the start of last season, and the Knicks were still fighting for a playoff spot until the final week of the season. Carmelo Anthony is too good and the addition of Jose Calderon will be a steep upgrade from Raymond Felton. And steep is a vast understatement. If only Andrea Bargnani was not involed.

10. The Raptors will miss the playoffs.

The new-look Cavaliers are a lock to get into the postseason after a four-year drought, and talented Knicks and Pistons teams now boast competent coaches. After a year when everything went right in Toronto, the Raptors are due for some bad luck. No team lost fewer players to injury last year, and it is doubtful that Kyle Lowry can replicate what was far and away a career year. Last year just seemed all too fluky.

11. The Sixers will lose at least 70 games.

The slogan of the PGA Tour is “these guys are good.” The slogan of the ’14-’15 Philadelphia 76ers might as well be “these guys are bad.” Front office brass has not been shy about their desire to lose in order to build a future winner. Their two lottery picks from this past draft, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, may not play a game for the Sixers this season between them. With Michael Carter-Williams sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Sixers best player on opening night may be Nerlens Noel, who has never played in an NBA game.

12. The Clippers will finish first in the West.

The most important free agent signee not named LeBron? Spencer Hawes. Yeah, I said it. Since Chris Paul arrived from New Orleans in 2011, the Clips have been right up there with the upper echelon Western Conference powers. Their weakness: a reliable backup big man who could spell Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan. Hawes is no Shaquille O’Neal, but he has started 338 games over the past six seasons and can stretch the floor. It is time for a new look atop the West’s standings.

13. Steve Kerr will win Coach of the Year.

Kerr’s basketball knowledge has always been outstanding, whether it was during his tenure as general manager in Phoenix or as an analyst for TNT. A former player who embraces the modern game, Kerr will demand the respect of the Warriors while bringing in a much more organized scheme than the Dubs had under former coach Mark Jackson. Golden State has enough talent to make a deep run into the playoffs.

14. LeBron James will win his fifth MVP award.

With Durant slated to miss up to two months, James almost has to win Most Valuable Player by default. It is just wrong to give it to another player besides those two. James and Durant’s level of play is on another planet right now. There is not an argument that there is a player more valuable to his team. Unless the Cavs are a disaster and fail to win 50 games or something, James will tie Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Abdul-Jabbar as the only five-time MVP-winners.

15. The Cavaliers will win the NBA Finals.

LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and co. will defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games to win the NBA Championship. The curse of Cleveland will finally end. At least for one year.