We got about two more weeks until the NBA season starts so let’s answer some questions on the NBA that I saw on Twitter (X). User @symeresusd posted these ten questions.

What is the Lakers ceiling?

Last season the Lakers made it to the Western Conference Finals so I can say that their ceiling is the NBA Finals. I mean they still have LeBron James on the roster so that usually helps. They beat the Golden State Warriors but then we’re clearly outmatched by the Denver Nuggets. I can see them getting to the WCF again and potentially beating the Nuggets, although that is very unlikely. This all of course depends on the health of Anthony Davis and Bron who haven’t been playing full seasons recently. They put together a much-improved roster after the Russell Westbrook trade with the additions of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Tauren Prince, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Let’s not forget the emergence of Austin Reaves as well.

Is Milwaukee the team to beat in the Eastern Conference?

I think they are definitely the team to beat. Adding Damian Lillard puts them ahead of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in my opinion. They should be the favorites to come out of the East. I know the Heat lost in the NBA Finals with Jimmy Butler’s improbable run including beating the Bucks. The Celtics also took a big swing of their own adding former Buck, Jrue Holiday. The Heat and Celtics are likely to be right there with the Bucks all season but Giannis is a top 3 player in this league with defensive player of the year candidate, Brook Lopez. Jrue adds so much on defense that Dame can never match that, but on the offensive end, Jrue could never touch Dame. You have top-end defenders around Dame on this roster and that should help him out. The Bucks have been in need of a closer, someone who can create his own shot when it’s needed most. Giannis can sometimes get limited because his offense can become too predictable down the stretch. Dame is best known for his clutch shooting in the playoffs. It might just be a perfect marriage. The Celtics are putting a lot of pressure on an oft-injured Kristaps Porzingis. Staps had a very good season last year but he has a history of getting destroyed by Giannis and I don’t know how much I trust 37-year-old Al Horford.

Is Scoot Henderson a future MVP?

Scoot can most certainly be a future MVP. He is an explosive guard like Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose who have both won the award. He is the new franchise lead guard for the Portland Trail Blazers with an excellent young core around him. All the pieces around him are on the same timeline and if everything goes according to plan the Blazers will be able grow and compete in a couple of years. Scoot is at the apex of that. Being the best player on a playoff team puts you into contention for the award. If the Blazers are a playoff team in a couple of years it’ll be on the shoulders of Scoot with help from Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. Simons and Sharpe are tremendous talents but not quite MVP potential. Scoot can win an MVP if the rebuild is a success. Dame got some MVP consideration, rightfully so he actually carried this organization for years. Scoot already has more help than Dame did in his prime. Hopefully everything falls into place for Portland.

Who is the better player: Trae Young or Kyrie Irving and why?

Kyrie is still a better player than Trae. Kyrie has been insanely efficient his whole career shooting nearly 50, 40, 90 the past few seasons. Trae has the upper hand when it comes to playmaking as Kyrie is more of a two guard. Kyrie has always been a score first player rather than a pass first player. Trae can do both, he can score and he can pass. Trae’s Eastern Conference Finals run has been the highlight of his career so far, meanwhile Kyrie obviously has his shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. Trae has done more for his team as the lone star than Kyrie has done but Trae lacks the efficiency that Kyrie plays with. In a vacuum I am taking Kyrie over Trae.

Who would you rather have on your team: Jayson Tatum or Luka Doncic?

This is a very tough question because Luka is the better player in my eyes but Tatum has had much more playoff success throughout his career. Tatum has had the luxury of playing with a much better team around him year in and year out. He has played alongside numerous all-stars but he has been the best player on his team since the 2019-2020 season. Luka on the other hand has played with Kristaps and now Kyrie as his best teammates. His WCF run in 2022 was something special and we actually could’ve gotten Tatum v Luka in the Finals if it weren’t for the Warriors constantly winning every damn year. He has averaged over 30 points throughout his three playoff runs. I think in terms of who I’d rather have it would be Luka in terms of starting a team from scratch and needing a cornerstone. Tatum has had more success with better teams is a much better defender but what Luka brings in terms of I.Q. and offensive usage makes me pick him.

Where do you rank Devin Booker?

Devin Booker has skyrocketed up the rankings with his most recent playoff performance. Book shot 58% from the field and 50% from three in 11 games, averaging 33.7 points. Those are ridiculous numbers like video game numbers. He is certainly top 10, the players who are definitely ahead of him are Nikola Jokic, Giannis, Steph Curry, Luka, and Joel Embiid. The two players that are up for debate for is Kevin Durant and Tatum. He outperformed his teammate during their most recent playoff run and I think he is who the Phoenix Suns will use as their go-to player this season. We spoke about Tatum already and I think his versatility on both ends puts him ahead of Booker. I’d say he’s the eighth best player in the league right now with the ability to move up to sixth or down to ninth if Dame wants to jump him.

Who has been better during the 2020’s between: Giannis, Jokic, and Curry?

This is a great question because this is the past three Finals MVP’s. It’s tough because they are also all two time MVP’s. Steph has been playing some of his best basketball despite him winning his back-to-back MVP’s in 2014-2016. Giannis won his two MVP’s from 2018-2020 and Jokic won his two from 2020-2022. I think when you put it as the 2020’s you give it to Jokic. He is the most recent Finals and MVP winner. Giannis and Steph are both up there for the award every year but it is Jokic who won back to back in the 2020’s. Jokic put on a prolific performance in the 2022 playoffs and if it weren’t for the Dame and Jrue trades, his Nuggets would be the favorite to win the NBA Finals. Jokic has been the best but it’s only 2023 there’s so much more time for Giannis, Steph, and many others to put their name in the hat.

How many playmakers are you taking over Ja Morant?

ESPN just ranked Ja Morant as the 35th best player in the league which is truly absurd. He was ninth last year and only fell due to his off-court issues. As we look to answer the question the term playmaker is someone who leads an offense, so for this we will be looking mainly at point guards as well as players at other positions who lead their team (ex: LeBron). ESPN has Kyrie, Jalen Brunson, Trae, Jrue, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Dame, Book, Luka, Steph, Jokic, LeBron, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ahead of him in no particular order. I can confidently say Ja is a better overall player than Kyrie, Brunson, Trae, Jrue, and Tyrese without a doubt. As far as playmaking goes he’s got all them beat besides Tyrese and Trae who are two of the top passers in this league. Ja has elevated his playmaking these past few seasons but his ability to create and finish around the rim puts him ahead of those two for more. I think he is clumped with Fox and Shai right now. I’d take him over Fox but maybe not Shai. Shai is on a different planet when it comes to offensive prowess. That dude is a scoring machine. Fox and Ja are similar in that they are both speedy guards with steady improvements from beyond the arc and elite finishing skills. You could also throw Dame into this tier since he is getting older but last season may have been his best season. He has never been a pass first guard having to create for others so he’s not a top playmaker in this league when it comes to assist numbers but as far as gravity goes he is second to only Curry. I’d take six over him for sure with Fox and Dame up for debate.

How would you grade the Celtic’s offseason?

The Celtics took a big swing trading long time point guard Marcus Smart for Porzingis but then took an even bigger swing trading Robert Williams and Malcom Brogdon for Jrue Holiday. They lost bench pieces in Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari (who never played for them), and Brogdon to upgrade at point guard. Jrue is a proven defensive stalwart that can help you win a ring as he did with the Bucks not too long ago. Jrue and Smart are both known for their defense but Smart can be a bit more erratic on the offensive end where Jrue hasn’t been as efficient but won’t take dumb shots away from Tatum and Jaylen Brown like Smart has. Losing Robert Williams is something they can feel a lot more because he was a defensive anchor for that team. Kristaps is obviously a much better offensive player but he lacks the strength Williams has. He is an athletic shot blocker that can provide help defense but like I said before we are putting a lot of pressure on Al Horford. Losing depth is always tough but it’s something you have to do if you want to make blockbuster deals like they have made. They’ve added some decent role players in Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens, and Dalano Banton but they’ll be fine enough for the regular season. Once playoff time rolls around the lineups get smaller. Hopefully Payton Pritchard can live up to his extension. I’ll grade it a B-. I’d still take the Bucks over them and I forgot to mention they lost Grant Williams to Dallas too.

Who’s the better player, Tatum or Embiid?

Alright last question, we made it. A part of me just wants to say Tatum and wrap things up. I can’t though, I mean Embiid is the reigning MVP so why wouldn’t it be him and you know I think it is him. The playoff success is where the two differ and where Embiid takes a hit. For me though it’s about the whole body of work and Embiid being the reigning MVP is good enough for me to call him better than Tatum. I wouldn’t be shocked though if things change because Tatum can add an MVP or Finals MVP as soon as this season. Joel has been dominant as of late and if that ever translates to deeper playoff runs then he solidifies himself as better than Tatum.

There we have yet folks. 10 questions thanks to symeresusd once again.