Detroit Pistons: Preseason NBA awards predictions and who I’d pick now
Preseason is the time of unrestrained optimism, which was the case heading into this season for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit had just drafted Cade Cunningham, which many fans (myself included) thought would be enough to propel the Pistons near the play-in tournament if everything else broke correctly.
It didn’t.
The Pistons got off to a slow start and end up winning just 23 games overall, though there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future.
I made preseason predictions about everything from the MVP to the Rookie of the Year and it’s always fun to see how they compare to reality.
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So here’s a look back at my predictions to see if any of them still have a chance of coming true.
NBA Finals prediction: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Utah Jazz
Champion: Milwaukee Bucks
Who I’d pick now: Bucks vs. Suns
Well, this one still has a chance of happening, though I am far less confident about the Jazz than I was before the season started.
It’s interesting that people still seem to be sleeping on Milwaukee, especially since they are finally healthy.
The Jazz dropped to the 5th seed, but the Western Conference is wide open, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they still made the Finals, though I’d consider it a long shot.
I still like the Bucks in the East and to win their second title in as many years but do it over the Phoenix Suns.
Coach of the Year prediction: Nate McMillan-Hawks
Who I’d pick now: Taylor Jenkins
McMillan may be closer to being fired than winning Coach of the Year, an award that was given to Monty Williams, who deserves it.
The Hawks ended up as the 9th seed after making the East Finals last season, so this was was way off.
I would have voted for Taylor Jenkins, as no one expected the Grizzlies to be the two seed in the West this season.