2012-13 NBA Predictions

Published Oct. 29, 2012 4:36 p.m. ET

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My predictions for the upcoming NBA season. Warm up your angry typing fingers.

Eastern Conference Playoffs

1. Miami; 2. Indiana; 3. Boston; 4. Philadelphia; 5. Brooklyn; 6. New York; 7. Chicago; 8. Milwaukee.

Western Conference Playoffs

1. Oklahoma City; 2. LA Lakers; 3. San Antonio; 4. LA Clippers; 5. Denver; 6. Memphis; 7. Utah; 8. Dallas.

East Finals

Boston over Miami

West Finals

LA Lakers over Oklahoma City

Finals

LA Lakers over Boston

MVP: LeBron James, Miami

Rookie of Year: Damian Lillard, Portland

Defensive of Player of Year: Dwight Howard, LA Lakers

Most Improved Player: Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia

Coach of Year: Frank Vogel, Indiana

Executive of Year: Mitch Kupchak, LA Lakers

First Team All-NBA: C Dwight Howard, LA Lakers; PF Kevin Love, Minnesota; SF LeBron James, Miami; SG Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers; PG Rajon Rondo, Boston.

Second Team: C Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia; PF Blake Griffin, LA Clippers; SF Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City; SG Dwyane Wade, Miami; PG Chris Paul, LA Clippers.

Third Team: C Brook Lopez, Brooklyn; PF Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; SF Carmelo Anthony, New York; SG Joe Johnson, Brooklyn; PG Kyrie Irving, Cleveland.

All-Rookie Team: Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Damian Lillard, Portland; Bradley Beal, Washington; Jared Sullinger, Boston; Thomas Robinson, Sacramento.

Worst Record: Orlando

Potential Playoff Qualifiers: Atlanta, Minnesota, Golden State, Washington, Portland, Phoenix, Cleveland.

First Coach Fired: Larry Drew, Atlanta.

Biggest Rookie Bust: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte

Biggest Rookie Surprise: Jae Crowder, Dallas

Overrated Offseason Acquisition: (tie) Ray Allen, Miami; Jeremy Lin, Houston

Underrated Offseason Acquisition: (tie) Michael Beasley, Phoenix; Brandon Roy, Minnesota

Team Most Likely to Trade a Top Player: Atlanta (Josh Smith)

Team Most Likely to Gut Roster: Sacramento

Darkhorse East Finalist: Brooklyn

Darkhorse West Finalist: Memphis

Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO