The NBA season has kicked off, and nothing’s more fun than predicting the future, right? So the SB Nation NBA team worked together to do our own predictions for the 2018-19 season — with a twist.
The 2018-19 SB Nation NBA season predictions game
Forget the standard predictions. SB Nation’s NBA staff teamed up to pick stuff like the first LeBron subtweet and first 50-point game.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It’s the 2018-19 NBA Predictions Game, and here’s how it works:
We’re trying to guess the first time something happens in a number of different categories. For example: the first player to record a triple double, the first team to come back from down 20, and so forth. Everyone needed to make a different choice for each question. If none of our answers came first (which happens often), the first of our seven choices wins.
Your participants: Whitney Medworth, Mike Prada, Ricky O’Donnell, Matt Ellentuck, Seerat Sohi, Zito Madu, and Kristian Winfield.
There were 25 questions this group has to answer, broken down as follows:
- 12 two-point questions.
- Six four-point questions.
- Four six-point questions
- Two eight-point question.
- One win-big prediction worth 10 points. (This one is very important).
- There are also opportunities for bonus points on certain questions
It should go without saying, but preseason doesn’t count. The Timberwolves’ preseason players-only meeting is off the board, for example — they’d need to have another players-only meeting to qualify for that question. Same goes for Kawhi Leonard’s incredibly awkward media day laugh for the final question.
We’ll track whose predictions prove true as the season goes on.
Here are the current standings:
- Seerat Sohi: 12 points
- Kristian Winfield: 10 points
- Matt Ellentuck: 8 points
- Mike Prada: 6 points
- Ricky O’Donnell: 2 points
- Zito Madu: 0 points
- Whitney Medworth: 0 points
The latest
October 28
- Stephen Curry’s 51-point game against the Wizards on Wednesday solved two questions. Ricky won Question 6 (2 points) because Steph hit 11 threes, while Seerat won Question 22 (6 points) for the first 50+-point game among our picks (Blake Griffin was first the day before).
- Jayson Tatum’s poster dunk on Paul George means Seerat won Question 13 (4 points). Several other players have dunked on someone already, but Tatum was the first of our picks.
- Markieff Morris was not the first player to get into an on-court skirmish this year — who can forget Spitgate — but this incident with Buddy Hield was the first of our choices. So Mike wins Question 15 (4 points).
- The Bucks’ 125-95 win over Minnesota on Oct. 26 means that Matt wins Question 20 (6 points). Charlotte over Orlando was the first 30-point blowout of the year, but none of us picked the Hornets to be involved.
October 24
- The Hawks rallied from down 26 in a comeback victory against the Dallas Mavericks. So Kristian wins Question 10 (2 points)
October 21
- THE DEBATE IS ON. Is this Nikola Jokic bucket continuous enough to be considered him going coast-to-coast? Eight points are on the line. This is a big decision. Fine, we’ll give it to him. Kristian wins question 24 (8 points).
October 18
- Ben Simmons posted a triple double in a win over the Bulls. Though he was not the first player to reach that benchmark — Elfrid Payton beat him by one day — he was the first of the seven we chose. So Matt wins Question 11 (2 points).
October 17
- Seerat wins Question 5 (2 points) for Kawhi Leonard’s MVP chants.
October 16
- Mike wins Question 8 (2 points) for Charles Barkley mispronouncing Luka Doncic’s name.
Here are our picks:
The NBA is more than a sport — it’s an entertainment experience with unique characters and storylines that transcend on-court drama. Here’s what’s on “NBAFlix” this season.
- LEGEND: The Ascension: LeBron James has risen above winning.
- House Money: Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta will do whatever it takes to win.
- Honey, They Shrunk the Bigs! Anthony Davis is leading a big man training revolution.
- The Last Team on Earth: Welcome to an apocalyptic world where the Warriors really did ruin basketball.
- Free Agent Matchmaker: The 2019 NBA free agency matchmaking game.
- IRVING: Genius doesn’t have to complicate chemistry.
- Project Hallway: This stylist is helping NBA stars turn their pregame walk into a fashion statement.
- Master Trainer: When NBA stars like Klay Thompson need that extra edge, they call these guys.
Plus, previews of all 30 teams, and more!
Part I: Worth 2 points each
1. Who will be the first player to unleash a new signature celebration?
Ricky O’Donnell: JaVale McGee
Zito Madu: Damian Lillard
Matt Ellentuck: Cameron Payne
Seerat Sohi: Trae Young
Kristian Winfield: Donovan Mitchell
Mike Prada: Kyrie Irving
Whitney Medworth: Russell Westbrook
2. Who will be the first player to break someone’s ankles? (Bonus point if you guess the person whose ankles they break).
Ricky: Kyrie Irving on Jerryd Bayless
Zito: Chris Paul
Matt: Luka Doncic on Marvin Bagley
Seerat: Stephen Curry
Kristian: Lance Stephenson on any Suns player
Mike: Jamal Murray on Stephen Curry
Whitney: James Harden
Mike Conley on Cory Joseph on Oct. 17 was our first ankle-breaker, but nobody picked either player.
3. What will be the first significant Wojbomb?
Ricky: Wolves won’t trade Jimmy Butler
Zito: Kevin Love has been traded
Matt: Clippers are in advanced talk with Blazers for C.J. McCollum
Seerat: Kyrie Irving had secret meeting with other star players to partner up in New York
Kristian: Timberwolves are closing in on a deal for Jimmy Butler
Mike: Clippers have “significant shot” at landing Kawhi Leonard
Whitney: This is likely the last year for KD in Golden State
4. What is the first name Charles Barkley mispronounces?
Ricky: Svi MykhailiukZito: Deandre AytonMatt: Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderSeerat: Moritz WagnerKristian: Rodions Kurucs
Mike: Luka DoncicWhitney: Mo Bamba
THE WINNER: Mike Prada!
During the Warriors-Thunder highlights on opening night, Chuck pronounced the Mavericks’ rookie sensation’s name as Don-CHICK. It’s actually pronounced DON-chitch. Hear it for yourself.
“You’re sleeping on the Dallas Mavericks, with Don-Chick, Dennis Smith Jr., and DeAndre Jordan. Lot better.”
5. Who will be the first player to get MVP chants that hasn’t won MVP before? (No picking LeBron, Harden, KD, Steph, or Russ)
Ricky: Giannis AntetokounmpoZito: Donovan Mitchell Matt: Anthony Davis
Seerat: Kawhi LeonardKristian: D’Angelo RussellMike: Kyrie Irving Whitney: Victor Oladipo
THE WINNER: Seerat Sohi!
They weren’t overwhelming chants, but we’ll allow them.
Devin Booker and Boban Marjanovic (lol) also received MVP chants on Oct. 17, but both games ended later than Toronto’s and nobody had them anyway.
A bunch of other players got MVP chants AFTER Oct. 17. This is a popular thing this year, apparently.
6. Who will be the first player to hit 10 3s in a game?
Ricky: Stephen CurryZito: Klay ThompsonMatt: Allen CrabbeSeerat: Bradley BealKristian: Jamal CrawfordMike: Lou Williams Whitney: Damian Lillard
THE WINNER: Ricky O’Donnell!
Stephen Curry went 11-16 from three-point range in dropping 51 point on the Wizards ... in three quarters!
7. Who will be the first player to complain about an All-Star snub, either for themselves on behalf of a teammate?
Ricky: Bradley Beal
Zito: John Wall
Matt: Devin Booker
Seerat: DeMar DeRozan
Kristian: Lou Williams
Mike: Hassan Whiteside
Whitney: Damian Lillard
8. Who will be the first player to airball a free throw?
Ricky: Dwight Howard
Zito: JaVale McGee
Matt: LeBron James
Seerat: DeAndre Jordan
Kristian: Andre Roberson
Mike: Markelle Fultz
Whitney: Andre Drummond
Jared Dudley was the first player to do this during an Oct. 17 game against the Pistons, but nobody picked him, so the competition is still on.
9. Who will be the first team to go on 10-game winning OR losing streak?
Ricky: Atlanta Hawks
Zito: Golden State Warriors
Matt: Phoenix Suns
Seerat: Oklahoma City Thunder
Kristian: New York Knicks
Mike: Boston Celtics
Whitney: Houston Rockets
10. Who will be the first team to come back from a deficit of 20 points or more and win? (Bonus point if you guess the opponent)
Ricky: Golden State WarriorsZito: New Orleans PelicansMatt: Houston RocketsSeerat: Boston Celtics (vs. Pistons on Oct. 30)
Kristian: Atlanta Hawks (vs. Knicks on Oct. 17)Mike: Los Angeles Lakers (at Timberwolves on Oct. 29Whitney: Indiana Pacers
THE WINNER: Kristian Winfield
Kristian’s incredibly bold pick paid off! He thought the Hawks would do it on opening night against the Knicks, but they instead did it a week later, rallying from a 26-point deficit to beat Dallas.
11. Who will be the first player to record a triple double?
Ricky: Lonzo Ball Zito: Russell Westbrook
Matt: Ben SimmonsSeerat: Nikola JokicKristian: Giannis AntetokounmpoMike: Anthony Davis Whitney: LeBron James
THE WINNER: Matt Ellentuck
We were all wrong about who would be first ...
... but of the ones we chose, Simmons got on the board earliest with a 13-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist performance on Oct. 18 against the Bulls.
12. When will LeBron James send his first cryptic tweet or Instagram post?
Ricky: Feb. 14
Zito: Dec. 12th
Matt: Feb. 4
Seerat: Dec. 21
Kristian: Feb. 5
Mike: Nov. 3
Whitney: Never, because he won’t send one all season
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Part II: 4 points each
13. Who will be the first player to poster dunk on somebody? (Bonus two points if you guess the player they dunk on).
THE WINNER: Seerat Sohi
Ricky: Ben Simmons on Aron Baynes Zito: Giannis AntetokounmpoMatt: Russell Westbrook over Marvin Bagley
Seerat: Jayson Tatum over Joel EmbiidKristian: LeBron James over Draymond GreenMike: Zach LaVine over Nikola JokicWhitney: Joel Embiid
The first real poster by anyone was Al-Farouq Aminu over JaVale McGee on Oct. 18.
But the first of any of our picks was Tatum, who crammed it on Paul George on Oct. 25.
14. Who will be the first player or coach to get ejected from a game?
Ricky: Luke Walton
Zito: Gregg Popovich
Matt: Serge Ibaka
Seerat: Draymond Green
Kristian: David Fizdale
Mike: Tom Thibodeau
Whitney: Kevin Durant
The correct answer is Scott Brooks, who was tossed in the Wizards’ 117-113 loss to Toronto on Oct. 20. A few hours later, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, and Brandon Ingram were famously given the heave ho.
15. Who will get into the first on-court skirmish of the season?
Ricky: Robin Lopez Zito: Terry RozierMatt: Andrew WigginsSeerat: Draymond GreenKristian: Marcus Smart
Mike: Markieff MorrisWhitney: C.J. McCollum
THE WINNER: Mike Prada
HOW DID NONE OF US HAVE CHRIS PAUL OR RAJON RONDO????? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US???
The technical correct answer was John Wall and Derrick Jones Jr. on Oct. 18.
But the first of any of our picks was one of Wall’s teammates: Markieff Morris against the Kings on Oct. 26. Easy money.
16. Which team will have the first players-only meeting? (Bonus two points: Which player will lead OR be the subject of the meeting?)
Ricky: Wizards
Zito: Bucks
Matt: Blazers, led by Damian Lillard
Seerat: Pistons, led by Reggie Jackson
Kristian: Nuggets, to address Isaiah Thomas
Mike: Raptors, led by Kyle Lowry
Whitney: 76ers, led by JJ Redick
That Wizards pick is looking solid through a week and a half week.
17. Which team will be first to beat their over/under projection?
Ricky: Brooklyn Nets (32 wins)
Zito: Oklahoma City Thunder (48.5 wins)
Matt: Milwaukee Bucks (47.5 wins)
Seerat: Cleveland Cavaliers (30.5 wins)
Kristian: Portland Trail Blazers (42 wins)
Mike: Memphis Grizzlies (33 wins)
Whitney: Chicago Bulls (30 wins)
18. Which player or coach will blow up at the media first?
Ricky: Jimmy Butler
Zito: Russell Westbrook
Matt: David Fizdale
Seerat: Kyle Lowry
Kristian: Alvin Gentry
Mike: Gregg Popovich
Whitney: Kevin Durant
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Part III: 6 points each
19. Who will be the first coach fired?
Ricky: Dave Joerger
Zito: Scott Brooks
Matt: Igor Kokoskov
Seerat: Tom Thibodeau
Kristian: Alvin Gentry
Mike: Fred HoibergWhitney: Mike Malone
The correct answer was Ty Lue, after just six games. But none of us picked him, for reasons that are still hard to understand.
20. Which game will feature the first 30-point blowout? (Three points if you predict the right team to win or lose, but the wrong game).
Ricky: 76ers over Hawks on Oct. 29Zito: Warriors over Jazz on Oct. 19
Matt: Bucks over Knicks on Oct. 22Seerat: Warriors over Knicks on Oct. 26Kristian: Celtics over Knicks on Oct. 20Mike: Warriors over Nets on Nov. 10Whitney: Rockets vs Pistons on Nov. 21
THE WINNER: Matt Ellentuck!
It didn’t happen in the right game, but the Bucks did beat the Timberwolves by 30 on Oct. 26, earning Matt the points.
The correct answer was the Charlotte Hornets, who routed the Orlando Magic, 120-88, on Oct. 19.
21. Who will be the first rotation player not named Jimmy Butler (or in a deal for Jimmy Butler) to get traded?
Ricky: D’Angelo Russell
Zito: Nikola Vucevic
Matt: C.J. McCollum
Seerat: Damian Lillard
Kristian: Spencer Dinwiddie
Mike: Patrick Beverley
Whitney: J.R. Smith
22. Who will be the first player to score 50 points in a game?
Ricky: James Harden Zito: Anthony DavisMatt: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Seerat: Steph CurryKristian: Jamal CrawfordMike: Damian Lillard Whitney: Devin Booker
THE WINNER: Seerat Sohi
The first 50-point scorer this season was Blake Griffin, who did it against the 76ers on Oct. 23. A night later, Stephen Curry dropped 51 on the Wizards in three quarters.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Part IV: 8 points each
23. Who will be the first big man to go coast-to-coast? (Yes, they have to finish the play. No, they can’t be a point forward.)
Ricky: Joel EmbiidZito: Blake GriffinMatt: Jaren Jackson Jr. Seerat: Al Horford
Kristian: Nikola JokicMike: Andre Drummond Whitney: Anthony Davis
THE WINNER (by popular demand, sigh): Kristian Winfield
WE’VE GOT CONTROVERSY.
Technically, Jokic went coast to coast, but he also stopped and made two moves. So, we asked you to help figure this out, and most of you sided in Jokic’s favor.
Congratulations, Kristian.
A lot of points are on the line.
24. Who will be the first player to hit a buzzer-beater, either to win or tie a game? (These must be actual buzzer beaters, i.e. 0.0 on the clock. Bonus four points if you predict the right game).
Ricky: Jimmy Butler
Zito: LeBron James
Matt: James Harden vs. Jazz on Oct. 24
Seerat: Kyrie Irving vs. 76ers on Oct. 16
Kristian: D’Angelo Russell vs. Knicks on Oct. 19
Mike: Khris Middleton vs. 76ers on Oct. 24
Whitney: Steph Curry
So close, Kelly Olynyk! But 0.0 means 0.0.
A number of other players — Jonas Jerebko, Jayson Tatum, Caris LeVert (in the same game Kristian predicted for D’Angelo Russell!), Ish Smith, Kemba Walker — hit game-winning buckets in the final 10 seconds in the first week of the season, but none were with 0.0 left.
Part V: 10 points
25. Who will be the first player to be the face of a new ubiquitous meme we’ll be sharing all season?
Ricky: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Zito: Kawhi Leonard
Matt: Russell Westbrook
Seerat: Jaylen Brown
Kristian: Jimmy Butler
Mike: Kyrie Irving
Whitney: Joel Embiid
Would you have picked someone else for any of these categories? Share your answers in the comments.
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