2024-25 NBA Thread

[WilyWestbrook0]

But then I think the Celtics will defeat them in the 16th game.

I called it.

I liked the fight the Cavs showed, though. I figured a blowout was possible since they were out some key defensive rotational pieces, and Boston can shoot the lights out at obviously championship levels. But the Cavs clawed back in the second half and made it a very competitive game.

All streaks end eventually. But I'm proud of the Cavs and hope to see a Cavs/Celtics ECF with both teams at full health months from now!

[WilyWestbrook0]

So we're almost 20 games into the season, and we have four clear top teams in the league: the Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder, and Warriors. All four have winning percentages of 70 or more, and the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Thunder have double digit positive point differentials.

Isaiah Hartenstein has looked fantastic for the Thunder so far. This gives me hope again for a potential Cavaliers/Thunder Finals even if Chet will be out most of the season.

It would also be interesting if we saw another Cavaliers/Warriors Finals. The teams are obviously vastly different since their last matchup in 2018, especially the Cavs, who have no one left from their last title run except Tristan Thompson, who hardly even plays anymore. The Warriors still have Steph and Dray, but no more Klay or Durant.

All that said, the Celtics still obviously have to be the favorite to repeat. But I'd rather not see them in the Finals again, especially against the Warriors. I'd like to see a smaller market Midwest team make it, especially since the top ones happen to be my two favorite teams!

[WilyWestbrook0]

The Cavaliers have now dropped two straight to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have also beaten the Celtics this season, so they've been good against the top teams in their conference. Trae Young is posting career high assist numbers thus far.

In the West, the Rockets have taken second place over the Warriors in the standings. The Warriors did sit Steph in their game against the Thunder, though. I respect the Rockets, but they're young, and I don't expect them to remain near the top of the West for very long. They could certainly remain in playoff contention, though.

I'm not following the Cup race very much.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Cavs end the L streak and get revenge upon the Celtics. Admittedly Brown and White were out, but the Cavs were short-handed in the previous matchup, so it evens out. It will be intense to finally see these teams at full health.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Now about halfway through December, and the Cup Finals will be between the Bucks and Thunder. The Bucks have started to come on strong after their slow start and are looking like the Eastern contenders everyone rightfully expected of them given the star level talent there. However, the two best Eastern teams, the Cavaliers and Celtics, didn't make the Cup this year. The consensus among most fans seems to be that the Cup is still rather silly and needs more tweaking, and whomever ends up winning it is just winning something that's not all that meaningful yet. Still, I'd be happy if the Thunder won it.

In other news, LeBron James has gone absent and there's a ton of speculation as to whether he might leave the Lakers. I really don't want him to end up back in Cleveland; they're thriving without him and don't need to manage his old ego and potentially mess up the chemistry they've developed there under new coach Atkinson.

Out in the West, another team has been surging, and it's the Memphis Grizzlies, who have taken over second place from the Rockets in the conference (OKC is still in first). The Mavs have also won 8 of their last 10 and are in 4th place after the Rockets. The Lakers, meanwhile, have been an absolute mess after their hot start, losing 7 of their last 10. Coach Redick is facing his first real test.

[Devlin]

Yes, i really don't get it.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Yes, i really don't get it.

Yeah they need to tweak the whole process. It's complicated to follow, and a lot of the players hate how they have to run up the scores to get more Cup points because it can be bad sportsmanship and risk potential injury to have guys run up the score in season games like that.

Anyway, hope my Thunder win it tonight and maybe next season the Cup will have more reasonable rules.

[Devlin]

Good luck to your Thunder

[WilyWestbrook0]

Oof, horrid shooting by the Thunder. Easy win for Milwaukee. This game exposed OKC's vulnerability to physicality and the lack of spacing when they don't have Chet Holmgren.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Man, the Cavaliers are the best team in the league right now. Just beautiful basketball to watch.