2017 is here, it has a tough act to follow as 2016 was pretty amazing! I thought it would be fun to write some predictions for the coming year for area that I have some interest/knowledge in:
NBA
Regular season award winners:
- MVP- James Harden
- COY – Mike D’Antoni
- ROY – Joel Embiid
The first hot-take is that I’m fully expecting the Cavs to meet the Warriors in the finals for the third straight year. Yes, that’s a bold prediction! The Cavs are getting back to the finals easily, beating Toronto in the EC finals. GSW also getting back to the finals easily, beating Houston in the WC finals.
So, GSW will beat the Cavs in the finals with Kevin Durant being named the Finals MVP.
Rugby Union
England will retain the 6 nations championship, but won’t get the Grand Slam.
While New Zealand had an impressive 2016, they took a step back as the New Zealand of 2015 is the greater team I’ve ever seen. As for 2017, they’ll win the Rugby Championship again easily and will beat the Lions 3-0. The Lions have a quick turnaround after the end of the season in the northern hemisphere, the Lions are never equal to the sum of their parts, and New Zealand rarely lose at home. The All Blacks haven’t lost at home since 2009 (v South Africa) and have won 45 consecutive matches at home.
A New Zealand series win is currently at 1.22, and 3-0 is 1.91…I don’t think there’s any value there, not yet anyway.
NFL
New England are justifiably the favourites to win Superbowl 51, but if you’re backing them around 2.80 then you’re a mug IMO. I don’t have any strong views on the Superbowl other than Lady Gaga is a dead cert to make an absolute tit of herself doing the halftime show.
UFC
Ronda Rousey won’t be back.
Jon Jones will be back and will reclaim his Light-Heavyweight belt.
Conor McGregor has had the best moment of his career. He’ll never top holding two belts at Madison Square Garden. By the end of 2017 he’ll be holding no belts.
Michael Bisping had an amazing 2016. Beat Anderson Silva, beat Rockhold for the title and defended it against Henderson. If he’s stupid enough to face Woodley, he’ll get destroyed. He’ll lose his belt this year and will retire.
World Events
People who don’t like Trump will continue to freak out even over the most insignificant things. People that do like him will be pissed off when nothing really changes.
In the UK there’ll be a stitch-up over Brexit. Article 50 will be triggered in March but the UK will still be in the EU by the end of the year as there’ll be a lengthy negotiating period and ultimately a “soft Brexit” (which isn’t a Brexit) in 2018/19.
In Europe anti-EU sentiment will inevitably rise even more, which will be reflected in the elections.