The dust may have only just settled on another thrilling NBA season but we’re already looking ahead to 2022. Draft picks and off season trades will boost rosters right across the division but who are the strong teams heading into the next campaign?
Many top players will be enjoying their break: Team USA may have won the Gold Medal in Tokyo but the squad appeared tired after their long domestic duties. Will any of those players be feeling the after effects of the Olympics or will all NBA teams be fresh and raring to go?
Last Season
Utah Jazz started as the top seed ahead of the 2020/21 NBA season. Due to schedule delays from the previous campaign, the players only had a 79-day rest and, for some of those sides, injuries and general fatigue set in quickly.
After a positive start, the Brooklyn Nets ousted the Jazz to become the new favorites for the pennant. The Nets justified that faith by finishing strongly and returning a regular season record of 48-24. This was, by no means the best return: Over in the Western Conference, Utah won 52 of their regular season contests while Phoenix Suns were just behind them with 51.
The perception was, however, that the Eastern Conference provided the strongest challenge and the Nets were still highly fancied as the playoffs began. Brooklyn subsequently breezed through the first round but a shock defeat to the Bucks ended their campaign in the semi finals.
Milwaukee built on that upset to eventually win the NBA but can they repeat that achievement in 2021/22? The Bucks will find it tough to defend and a number of top teams are expected to come back stronger next time.
NBA Teams Ranked
Milwaukee Bucks may be the defending NBA champions but they are ranked as third favorites to retain their title in 2022. According to sportsbooks affiliated with sbo.net, NBA betting markets list the Brooklyn Nets as clear favorites to win the title next season.
Just behind the leaders, the LA Lakers are in second place, followed by the Bucks. Other teams in contention beyond that point include Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz.
As drafts and trades are confirmed, those figures will be subject to change and that panel of sportsbooks will adjust any figures accordingly. Sbo.net will report on the odds and they will also publish news and opinion articles relating to the NBA and to basketball in general.
Having digested those articles, readers are free to register and take advantage of any welcome offers that those sportsbooks have in place. A choice of funding, a range of customer service and live streaming are among the other potential benefits.
The Brooklyn Nets were the favorites for much of 2021 before dropping out at the playoff stage. Can they justify that faith and climb to the top next season?
The Verdict
As the Milwaukee Bucks proved at the end of last season, anything can happen when the playoffs arrive. That’s the toughest point to consider when making a prediction this early.
Their record of 46-26 in that regular campaign was only enough to keep them in third place in the Eastern Conference behind the Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. They went on to win the Division title and the NBA Championships but few would have backed the Bucks to claim trophies after that regular season.
The counter argument is that the playoff rounds are decided over the best of seven games and that leaves less scope for shock results. Stronger teams will generally tend to come through but injuries can play a part and anything can happen at the end of a long campaign.
The top scorer across the whole of 2020/21 was Golden State Warriors Steph Curry but GSW were poor overall, proving that there’s no such thing as a one-man team.
Overall, the figures point to the Brooklyn Nets and it’s hard to argue with them. The side were consistent across the roster with several players picking up regular awards throughout the campaign. The Nets will surely get to the playoffs once again and then it’s a case of being strong throughout the postseason.
