2023-2024 NBA Standings Predictions: The Nets silence haters
By Zak Musso
The NBA Season commenced last night as Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets took down LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers after receiving their 2023 NBA Championship rings. Kevin Durant returned to Golden State and took down his former team 108-104, despite the absence of Bradley Beal.
The Nets will begin their season tonight. Before we get there, it’s time for my 2023-2024 NBA standings predictions.
The Eastern Conference
1-Milwaukee Bucks
2-Boston Celtics
3-New York Knicks
4-Cleveland Cavaliers
5-Miami Heat
6-Brooklyn Nets
7-Philadelphia 76ers
8-Orlando Magic
9-Atlanta Hawks
10-Indiana Pacers
11-Chicago Bulls
12-Toronto Raptors
13-Detriot Pacers
14-Washington Wizards
15-Charlotte Hornets
It is going to be a big season for New York basketball teams. The Bucks and Celtics are the class of the Eastern Conference, but the Knicks return a deep roster poised to build off last season’s success. Across the Brooklyn Bridge, the Nets will turn heads and finish sixth in the Eastern Conference, the same as last year.
Finishing sixth would be a massive step forward for Brooklyn. Kyrie Iring played his final game with Brooklyn on February 1st, and Brooklyn went just 14-17 over the final 31 games without Irving or Kevin Durant.
This season, Ben Simmons will regain his all-star form, Cam Thomas will be in the sixth man of the year race, and Nic Claxton will finish in the top five in defensive player of the year voting.
The only major surprise in my standings is the fall off of the Philadelphia 76ers. The James Harden saga will distract this team, and we are already seeing Joel Embiid Knicks trade rumors arise before the season begins. The budding Orlando Magic will have a season like last year’s Oklahoma City Thunder but find themselves in the playoffs.