CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of a preseason game at the United Center on October 04, 2022 in
Chicago, Illinois.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The exhibitions are over and the NBA regular season has finally arrived. One of the more enjoyable thought exercises one can undertake during the preseason is making bold predictions.
Poole and Curry were the top two finishers last season. As such, this only qualifies as a bold prediction because Thompson has yet to finish inside the top three in this category during his career.On a Spurs team that's mostly lacking when it comes to players who can get teammates a good look, Jones will carry a sizable load as a playmaker and shine bright in the set-up man role, handing out eight-plus dimes per night.He averaged career highs of 9.3 boards in 29.0 minutes per game — or 11.
Detroit's big-man rotation isn't much to write home about and early-season injuries will force Duren into more minutes, during which time he will earn the starting gig. Sengun will still be a stud who stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis, but Eason will be the breakout player as the season progresses.With the Sixers possessing plenty of offensive firepower, we will see Embiid shift more of his focus to the defensive end. Although Embiid hasn't averaged two blocks or more once in the last five years, his rookie campaign — in which he swatted a career-high 2.5 blocks in a career-low 25.