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The Ringer’s 2017-18 NBA Predictions

Our NBA staff makes their picks for this season’s award and title winners
Getty Images/Ringer illustration
By The Ringer Staff • 3 min
Ringer illustration

Sure, a Warriors team fresh off a 16-1 postseason run to a second title looks deeper and scarier than ever heading into this season. But there’s still plenty to figure out after one of the wildest offseasons in NBA history. The Ringer’s NBA team tries to figure it all out, a day before the 2017–18 season officially begins.

Most Valuable Player

Bill SimmonsStephen Curry
Kevin O’ConnorLeBron James
Jonathan TjarksKawhi Leonard
Shea SerranoLeBron James
John GonzalezKawhi Leonard
Danny ChauGiannis Antetokounmpo
Chris RyanLeBron James
Juliet LitmanKyrie Irving
Justin VerrierKevin Durant
Haley O’ShaughnessyKevin Durant
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Total: Durant (3), James (3), Leonard (2), Antetokounmpo (1), Curry (1), Irving (1)

Rookie of the Year

SimmonsLonzo Ball
O’ConnorBen Simmons
TjarksDennis Smith Jr.
SerranoLonzo Ball
GonzalezBen Simmons
ChauDennis Smith Jr.
RyanDe’Aaron Fox
LitmanDe’Aaron Fox
VerrierBen Simmons
O’ShaughnessyDennis Smith Jr.
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Total: Smith Jr. (4), Simmons (3), Fox (2), Ball (2)

Most Improved Player of the Year

SimmonsD’Angelo Russell
O’ConnorMyles Turner
TjarksRodney Hood
SerranoLaMarcus Aldridge (please, God)
GonzalezRodney Hood
ChauMyles Turner
RyanThon Maker
LitmanD’Angelo Russell
VerrierD’Angelo Russell
O’ShaughnessyKentavious Caldwell-Pope
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Total: Russell (3), Turner (2), Hood (2), Aldridge (1), Caldwell-Pope (1), Harris (1), Maker (1)

Defensive Player of the Year

SimmonsRudy Gobert
O’ConnorDraymond Green
TjarksDraymond Green
SerranoKawhi Leonard
GonzalezRudy Gobert
ChauDraymond Green
RyanRudy Gobert
LitmanRudy Gobert
VerrierRudy Gobert
O’ShaughnessyRudy Gobert
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Total: Gobert (7), Green (3), Leonard (1)

Sixth Man of the Year

SimmonsTristan Thompson
O’ConnorRudy Gay
TjarksWill Barton
SerranoDoes Kuzbass start? If not, then him.
GonzalezMarcus Smart
ChauLou Williams
RyanNorman Powell
LitmanJ.R. Smith
VerrierAndre Iguodala
O’ShaughnessyTyler Johnson
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Total: Smart (2), Barton (1), Gay (1), Iguodala (1), Johnson (1), Kyle Kuzma (1), Powell (1), Smith (1), Thompson (1), Williams (1)

Coach of the Year

SimmonsSteve Kerr
O’ConnorBrad Stevens
TjarksMike Malone
SerranoSteve Kerr
GonzalezBrad Stevens
ChauMike D’Antoni
RyanBrett Brown
LitmanMike Malone
VerrierGregg Popovich
O’ShaughnessyErik Spoelstra
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Total: Kerr (3), Malone (2), Stevens (2), Brown (1), D’Antoni (1), Popovich (1), Spoelstra (1)

Executive of the Year

SimmonsSam Presti
O’ConnorSam Presti
TjarksDaryl Morey
SerranoR.C. Buford, after he pulls off some miraculous trade of LaMarcus
GonzalezSam Hinkie
ChauDaryl Morey
RyanSam Presti
LitmanSam Presti
VerrierDaryl Morey
O’ShaughnessySam Presti
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Total: Presti (6), Morey (3), Buford (1), Hinkie (1)

Final Four

SimmonsThunder vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
O’ConnorRockets vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
TjarksThunder vs. Warriors; Bucks vs. Cavs
SerranoRockets vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
GonzalezRockets vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
ChauRockets vs. Warriors; Bucks vs. Cavs
RyanThunder vs. Warriors; Wizards vs. Cavs
LitmanRockets vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
VerrierRockets vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
O’ShaughnessyThunder vs. Warriors; Celtics vs. Cavs
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Total: Warriors (11), Rockets (6), Thunder (5); Cavs (11), Celtics (8), Bucks (2), Wizards (1)

East Champion

SimmonsCavs
O’ConnorCeltics
TjarksCavs
SerranoCavs
GonzalezCavs
ChauCavs
RyanCavs
LitmanCeltics
VerrierCavs
O’ShaughnessyCavs
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Total: Cavs (8), Celtics (3)

West Champion

SimmonsWarriors
O’ConnorWarriors
TjarksWarriors
SerranoWarriors
GonzalezWarriors
ChauWarriors
RyanWarriors
LitmanWarriors
VerrierWarriors
O’ShaughnessyWarriors
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Total: Warriors (11)

NBA Champion

SimmonsWarriors
O’ConnorWarriors
TjarksWarriors
SerranoWarriors
GonzalezWarriors
ChauWarriors
RyanWarriors
LitmanWarriors
VerrierWarriors
O’ShaughnessyWarriors
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Total: Warriors (11)

The Ringer Staff

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