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NBA Roundtable: 2017-18 award predictions, superlatives

By Nicholas Gonzalez

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was converted to black and white) Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was converted to black and white) Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

The biggest surprise of the NBA season will be…

Dunn: The Utah Jazz. The Jazz have become the forgotten team now that Gordon Hayward plays in Boston, but this is a squad that should still be able to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Jazz are well-coached and committed on the defensive end, and if they can figure things out offensively they’re going to be a lot better than most people are expecting. This is a deep roster that Quin Snyder will have playing defensive-minded team basketball.

Macri: Minnesota will miss the playoffs. Towns is a future MVP, Jimmy Buckets will bully fools nightly, and they can’t possibly do any worse in close games then they did a year ago.

Still, there’s too many red flags, and the playoff field is merciless. Can Minnesota jump 12 or 14 spots in defensive efficiency? They’ll need to, because this team won’t shoot enough threes to be a top ten offense. Losing Rubio will hurt on both ends. Lastly, for all the Butler hype, the Bulls couldn’t get him out of town fast enough.

Must Read: NBA Power Rankings: 2017-18 Season opening edition

It’s questionable whether he’s the glue to bring together a team that now has three guys who all want the ball and all believe they’re a first option. Prediction: 46 wins, but they miss the playoffs on a tiebreaker.

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