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The 2017/18 NBA season is less than 24 hours away and fans and players across the association have been preparing in earnest for what should be an explosive year.
Teams such as Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets have made big trades and made strong additions to their roster to challenge the Golden State Warriors' supremacy.
Others such as the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are in development mode, focused on building for the future with their array of young talent.
As the season tips off with the thrilling double-header between Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics followed by Golden State Warriors taking on the Houston Rockets, let's make five bold predictions for the upcoming season:
#1 Rockets to clinch #2 seed in West; Thunder biggest playoff threat to Warriors in Conference
The Western Conference is loaded with strong teams going into the 2017/18 season and there are at least 10 teams with multiple stars on their roster who can get into the playoffs.
The Houston Rockets have added a floor general and team leader in Chris Paul to their team. Despite giving away role players like Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker and Lou Williams in the trade with the Clippers, they have managed to add defensive depth in the form of swingmen PJ Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute.
With two ball-dominant guards in Paul and James Harden, Houston have all the ammunition needed to compete offensively, with Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon providing shooting options all around the court.
Once coach Mike D'Antoni figures out how best to use his two star guards, Houston will be tough to stop and should secure the number two seed in the West.
On the other hand, Oklahoma City Thunder have added two superstars in Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to their roster and would be a potent threat in the playoffs once they integrate the two into their system led by reigning MVP Russell Westbrook.
Considering their defensive options and three All-Stars in the team, there is a good possibility that the Thunder can trouble the Warriors the most in the Western Conference, especially in the playoffs.
#2 Los Angeles Clippers will be fun to watch and should get into the playoffs
The Los Angeles Clippers have added a slew of new players to their roster, acquiring seven players to complement Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
The addition of Danilo Gallinari finally gives the team some much-needed scoring at the small forward position. Despite losing Chris Paul, they have added point guards Milos Teodosic and Patrick Beverley.
Teodosic is a supremely talented, 30-year-old point guard with a complete range of passing and the ability to knock down shots from downtown. His ability to control the ball and his passing range will allow DeAndre Jordan and Griffin to get some easy dunks, in accordance with Lob City traditions.
Their defensive outlook will be set by the duo of Beverley and Jordan, as they will anchor the first unit, with Harrell and Wesley Johnson providing good depth in defence on the bench.
Finally, this season will see point forward Griffin unleashed and putting the ball in his hands could give the shooters on the team a great opportunity to exploit defences from beyond the 3-point arc.
The presence of scorers like Gallinari and Lou Williams will give the team the points they need and once the Clippers get into a rhythm, they could develop into a fun team that could sneak into the playoffs.
#3 Jae Crowder the key if Cavaliers are to dethrone the Warriors
Cleveland made a lot of moves in what was a tumultuous offseason, trading away Kyrie Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, Jae Crowder and a 2018 first-round draft pick.
Though there has been a lot of talk of Thomas' scoring and clutch play helping LeBron James, his hip injury and uncertain return date make it difficult to quantify the deal till he gets back on the court.
The Cavs have added Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade to help provide creativity and scoring to ease the load on James and combined with Kevin Love and his move to centre, coach Tyronn Lue will have an offensive juggernaut on his hands.
That is definitely a bonus in their fight against the Warriors, but the player who will really make the difference is swingman Jae Crowder. An out-and-out 3 and D guy, Crowder provides the size and versatility needed to combat elite teams on the defensive end.
With existing role players like JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson on the roster, the Cavaliers now have enough depth on both the offensive and defensive fronts to take on Golden State.
#4 Trust the Process - Philadelphia 76ers get back into the playoffs after five seasons
The Philadelphia 76ers have been extremely patient in allowing their roster to develop slowly for the last three seasons. They have looked to develop a team full of young, elite talent and they now look like they are on the cusp of a few incredible seasons.
With elite prospects like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz in the team, apart from reliable veterans like JJ Redick and Jerryd Bayless, the 76ers should be a strong unit if they can remain consistent.
Playmaking duties will be shared by Simmons, Fultz and TJ McConnell, giving the team a plethora of ways in which to attack the basket. How Simmons and Fultz handle their rookie seasons and contribute will determine how the team progress.
The presence of bruising sophomore Dario Saric, Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor will give the team good depth.
Coach Brett Brown has had a tough time in the last four years, guiding the franchise through seasons when accumulating talent in the draft was their only objective. After four years of tanking, he will be looking forward to getting his roster to compete.
Given the weak and lop-sided nature of the Eastern Conference, the city of Philadelphia are an outside bet to make the playoffs.
#5 Dennis Smith Jr. to win Rookie of the Year; Kawhi Leonard for MVP
The San Antonio Spurs have committed to their current roster for the future, signing LaMarcus Aldridge to a 3-year, $72 million extension. Coach Gregg Popovich is persisting with the team system that the Spurs are so good at.
That brings Kawhi Leonard into focus more than ever. Though The Claw is currently not fully fit and could be out of the season opener, he will be the pivotal player if San Antonio are to succeed.
The presence of emerging players like Dejounte Murray, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes, along with veterans like Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills and Tony Parker make the Spurs a very interesting proposition in the West, allowing them to play different styles, as they can go big and small.
Leonard averaged 25.5 PPG to go with 5.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG and 3.5 APG, incredible stats for someone still only 26. With greater responsibility placed on him, he could elevate his game to the next level this season.
Dallas Mavericks are currently in a rebuilding phase and rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is an integral part of that. He has impressed with his composure, ability to get to the rim and his shooting and averaged 12.4 PPG and 4.6 APG in pre-season.
Playing alongside developing players like Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry, apart from the legendary Dirk Nowitzki, will give him the chance to develop his game tremendously.
He will be running the point for Dallas in 2017/18 and seems like the rookie most ready to make the jump to the next level and is an early favourite for the Rookie of the Year award.
Guess the Lakers players!
