Tank & Jenks 2024/25 NBA Preview
David Berding. Getty Images.The NBA is in a state of parity we haven’t seen in a long time. The Celtics had a pretty dominant regular season and playoffs, but it is worth noting that the loaded Eastern Conference was decimated with injuries. Their banner will hang forever, but this year, it will be a greater challenge to come out of the East and win it all. As for the West, several teams have realistic hopes of making a run to the NBA finals.
To remind you of last year, I think the mid-season tournament is an idiotic initiative, and I will not address it more. With that said, here are my predictions:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division :
- Boston Celtics: 60-22 (1)
- New York Knicks: 48-34 (4)
- Philadelphia 76ers: 45-37 (6)
- Brooklyn Nets: 26-56 (11)
- Toronto Raptors: 25-57 (12)
The defending champion Boston Celtics enter the season as clear division favorites. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown started the season highly motivated to establish this unit as one of the great Celtics teams. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen only won once and were celebrated like a dynasty. Larry Bird won three but never repeated. This team has a chance to do something special (for the first time since 1969, when Russell won 11/13) and has the right coach/depth to get it done.
The Knicks had significant roster turnover this offseason after a stellar 2024. The big question is whether Karl-Anthony Towns can maximize his potential by playing inside-out and empowering Brunson to initiate the offense as much as possible. The Knicks' lack of size and depth is concerning. There is plenty of time to make moves, but with the roster as is, the Knicks might take a slight step back from last year. I do expect Jalen Brunson to be All-NBA.
The Sixers picked up Paul George this offseason. Gen Z seems to think he is Dr. J. Annnnnnnnd, but he’s already hurt. This is a classic, great, on-paper team with major real-life flaws. Joel Embiid is already discussing skipping the second of back-to-back games, and their depth is questionable. Tyrese Maxey is ready to take the next step this season, but this team will be limited by their health.
The Nets and Raptors round out the division without great aspirations heading into the season. Ben Simmons appears to have a pulse in the preseason, but let’s see how long it takes for his teammates to turn on him. The Nets have some talent but lack continuity. The Raptors have some continuity but minimal talent. Both teams should struggle.
At least Barclays had the WNBA Champion Liberty.
Central Division:
- Milwaukee Bucks: 55-27 (2)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 53-29 (3)
- Indiana Pacers: 48-34 (5)
- Chicago Bulls: 29-53 (10)
- Detroit Pistons: 19-63 (14)
The Bucks are favorites again, but it is hard to imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton staying healthy for an entire season. Leaning on bench play and blowing teams out early are the best ways to avoid overusing their big three. The East is stronger, and the 82-game grind might be this team’s biggest adversary.
The Cavs have continuity and a well-balanced roster. They remind me of the '90s Cavs, never an easy out but also not a serious contender. This team could also look radically different before the trade deadline, but if kept together, they could outperform the Pacers.
The Pacers made a great run last year, but let’s not forget they had the sixth-best regular season in the East and played badly injured teams in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Without a meaningful trade, I don’t see them taking a major step forward or backward this year.
The Bulls and Pistons used to battle for trips to the NBA finals. This will not be the case anytime soon. Jordan & Isiah aren't walking through that door.
Southeast Division:
- Orlando Magic: 45-37 (7)
- Miami Heat: 41-41 (8)
- Atlanta Hawks: 39-45 (9)
- Washington Wizards: 21-61 (13)
- Charlotte Hornets: 15-67 (15)
This is the weakest division in the East. The Orlando Magic are the only bright spot after surprising many pundits with 47 wins last year and a fifth seed. Paolo Banchero is a killer and will continue to ascend this year. He needs more pieces around him to get the Magic into the 50-60 win tier.
The Heat need to figure out this Jimmy Butler situation. Their “Heat Culture” appears to be in tatters, as they have an open conflict with their best player. Perhaps Udonis Haslem was the real MVP all those years.
The Wizards and Hornets don’t deserve season previews or the owners' share of the NBA revenue. They are genuinely two embarrassing franchises with nothing to look forward to.
Western Conference
Northwest Division:
- Denver Nuggets: 59-23 (1)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 55-28 (2)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 55-28 (3)
- Utah Jazz: 29-53 (13)
- Portland Trailblazers: 19-63 (15)
The Nuggets fell short in the playoffs last year after another great regular season (57 wins). This is the death division of the NBA, loaded with three title contenders. I feel most confident in the Nuggets with Nikola Jokic as their anchor. Jamal Murray will enter the season with a chip on his shoulder after last year’s playoffs. His health will be essential. Russell Westbrook will be a sneaky-great addition to this team, filling holes wherever necessary.
The Timberwolves made a bold move this summer, giving up KAT for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. I think the move makes them better, as both of their new players mirror Anthony Edwards's aggressive approach to basketball. This will be a mean, defensive, and fast team. If Ant takes the next leap into superstardom, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up the number one seed.
The Thunder built a great core of young stars and added Isaiah Hartenstein this summer. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a special player, and similarly to Ant, if he continues his ascension this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Thunder clinch the top seed.
The Nuggets, Thunder, and Timberwolves all have legitimate chances to win their division, conference, and the NBA Championship. The Jazz and Trailblazers do not.
Pacific Division:
- Phoenix Suns: 50-32 (5)
- Sacramento Kings: 44-38 (7)
- Golden State Warriors: 43-39 (8)
- Los Angeles Lakers 37-45 (11)
- Los Angels Clippers: 35-47 (12)
This might be the most sad division in the NBA. The retirement community division.
The Suns could win the division if Devin Booker steps into the 1A role we saw him capable of at the Olympics. Kevin Durant needs to become an option and preserve his energy and health. If those two can get even decent help from the rest of the roster, the Suns might be okay.
The Kings seemed like a team on the rise a couple of years ago but have regressed. They are a couple of pieces away from being able to compete in the West seriously and probably a bad season away from blowing the team up and starting over again.
Unless they seriously rebuild around Stephen Curry, the Warriors will be a play-in team. He isn’t young enough to carry them for 82 games anymore.
The Lakers are producing a Disney Father-Son film, with Brony James joining his dad, LeBron. It will make Space Jam 2 look like The Godfather II.
The Clippers' hopes and dreams are tied to one of the most unreliable (aging) superstars in the sport's history. With Kawhi Leonard out, this season could get very ugly quickly.
Southwest Division:
- Memphis Grizzlies: 50-32 (4)
- Dallas Mavericks: 48-34 (6)
- New Orleans Pelicans: 43-39 (9)
- San Antonio Spurs: 42-40 (10)
- Houston Rockets: 22-60 (14)
If Ja Morant hadn’t been suspended for 25 games last season, the whole NBA landscape would have been different. He will return with a massive season and lead the Grizzlies to 50 wins and the division title.
The Mavericks made a great run in the playoffs last year, showing how deadly the Luka/Kyrie combo can be. However, those two personalities aren’t ideal for regular-season reliability. This team will remain dangerous, but I don’t expect them to be a dominant regular-season team.
The Pelicans are the ultimate “what if” team, as their stars are constantly in and out of medical treatment. If the team stays completely healthy, which it won’t, it could compete. Zion Williamson is approaching now-or-never territory in terms of completing a full dominant season.
The Spurs will win many more games this year, with Victor Wembanyama continuing to develop into the league’s next unstoppable force. Chris Paul was an interesting addition who would’ve been perfect for Wemby 10 years ago. If Paul has any renaissance, the Spurs could sneak up on people. I think they will easily be the league’s most improved team.
The Rockets should be named the diffusers because they are going to suck the life out of anyone who watches them.
Play in Tournament
- (7) Magic over (8) Heat
- (10) Bulls over (9) Hawks
- (8) Heat over (10) Bulls
- (8) Warriors over (7) Kings
- (10) Spurs over (9) Pelicans
- (10) Spurs over (7) Kings
NBA Playoffs:
First Round
- Celtics over Heat in 5
- Bucks over Magic in 6
- 76ers over Cavaliers in 7
- Knicks over Pacers in 5
- Nuggets over Spurs in 4
- Timberwolves over Warriors in 5
- Thunder over Mavericks in 5
- Grizzlies over Suns in 7
Second Round:
- Celtics over Knicks in 7
- Bucks over 76ers in 6
- Nuggets over Grizzlies in 6
- Timberwolves over Thunder in 7
Eastern Conference Finals:
- Celtics over Bucks in 6
Western Conference Finals:
- Timberwolves over Nuggets in 6
NBA Finals:
- Celtics over Timberwolves in 7
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics
NBA Awards:
- Coach of the Year: Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies
- Rookie of the Year: Zach Edey, Grizzlies
- Most Improved: Jalen Williams, Thunder
- Clutch Player: Ja Morant, Grizzlies
- Sixth Man: Deuce McBride, Knicks
- Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
- NBA MVP: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves