NBA 2022-23 predictions: Will Giannis be able to stop the Warriors from a repeat?

The unabashed tank, unfortunately. It’s been whispered for a while that Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent, but after his mind-blowing performance in his Las Vegas exhibition games this month, it seems all but certain that it will be a race to the bottom for a chance to draft him. CDL

The Eastern Conference bloodbath. For decades, the imbalance between conferences was so glaring that league officials once flirted with the idea of a 1-16 playoff seeding to offset years of Western dominance. However, the tables have turned, and the East has at least eight teams that are capable of winning 50 games or more. Look for most Eastern Conference games to feature playoff-like intensity because there will be a few good teams on the outside looking in once the postseason starts. AS

The return of the super-team. Last year, the big-name-infused Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets dealt with all sorts of chemistry problems: the Lakers missed the postseason altogether while the Boston Celtics humiliated the Nets in the first round. It would be hilarious for that to happen again but unlikely. Sometimes talent trumps all. HF

Normalcy. Although last year featured a full 82-game schedule, player absences owing to Covid protocols plagued the regular season. Another year on, fans should be able to refocus their attention entirely on basketball – for example, Kyrie Irving will be in the news for his peerless dribbling again, rather than his sciencelessness. JP

Bang the over on the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, the roster is a bit of a disaster, but that’s mostly because Russell Westbrook’s salary is eating up the equivalent of two or three competent role players. With more teams bowing out of competitive basketball to tank, the trade