The NBA common season begins Tuesday evening with two video games earlier than a full slate on Wednesday.
Final season, OKC received first place within the Western Convention. They return to the courtroom Thursday evening in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
Griffin Media Thunder reporter Steve McGehee talked concerning the return of Thunder Basketball:
In August, I used to be requested if I had any questions concerning the Thunder. I mentioned, “No, not likely.”
I nonetheless stand by that reply with the seventeenth season of Thunder basketball debuting on TNT Thursday evening in Denver.
The additions of guard Alex Caruso and heart Isaiah Hartenstein (presumably out till December with a left hand damage) answered all my questions concerning the group. Caruso offers OKC one other exterior capturing risk and strengthens an already good defensive-minded group. Oh, AC is the oldest participant on the group getting into the season. Hartenstein praises Chet Holmgren, giving the Thunder two 7-footers who make a distinction once they’re on the courtroom, particularly on the identical time.
I all the time say OKC’s greatest opponent is accidents, that side of the sport can crush any group (simply ask OU soccer proper now). With that in thoughts, the depth of this yr’s group is among the many finest within the league. I am going to take the glass half full and be grateful that I-Hart’s (Hartenstein) damage would not finish the season.
This will likely be my tenth season masking the Thunder forwards and backwards for Griffin Media and for the third time in that stretch I really feel like they will win all of it, win the NBA title.
In my first season, 15-16, the Thunder missed the NBA Finals by one win. Then two years later, within the 17-18 season, I assumed they’d an opportunity with the addition of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony.
The trio of Russell Westbrook-George and Carmelo received off to a gradual begin, however they turned the nook and hit their stride in January. Then the sudden occurred, Andre Roberson suffered a season ending damage in Detroit and on the finish of the common season they completed with a 20-14 document after dropping Roberson. Rebounded by the Jazz within the first spherical.
Here is how I feel every little thing will develop on the finish of the season. Fingers crossed for minimal accidents from the Thunder. They anticipate a memorable season if they will keep away from the damage bug.
On the All-Star break, I am going to make my daring prediction for the NBA Finals and which group will win all of it, together with the MVP, Coach of the 12 months, and Rookie of the 12 months awards; a value that’s huge open proper now.
Thunder reporter Steve McGehee’s predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season:
Western Convention playoff groups (in no order)
- Thunder
- Nonconformists
- Timber wolves
- Grizzlies
- Kings
- Nuggets
- Suns
- Warriors
Jap Convention playoff groups (in no order)
- 76ers
- Knicks
- Celtics
- Pacers
- Deer
- Riders
- Magic
- Warmth
NBA Western Convention Finals
Oklahoma Metropolis vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Finals
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Thunder !
Sports activities journalist Jérémie Poplin’s predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season:
Western Convention (so as)
- Thunder
- Nuggets
- Nonconformists
- Timber wolves
- Suns
- Grizzlies
- Pelicans
- Kings
- Warriors
- Lakers
- Rockets
- Spurs
- Clippers
- Jazz
- Pioneers
Regardless that a special franchise has earned the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention playoffs in every of the final seven seasons…I nonetheless went with OKC. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as an MVP candidate at age 26, whereas younger expertise Jalen Williams and promising huge man Chet Holmgren bolster the roster. Because of sturdy function gamers, the group ranked first in three-point capturing and high 5 in defensive effectivity. Added Alex Caruso, an elite perimeter defender, and Isaiah Hartenstein to deal with rebounding points. These had been the 2 greatest wants on this group. Hartenstein’s damage mixed with Williams’ makes the sphere just a little skinny to begin the yr, which might/will influence the season’s win whole. Nonetheless, I like them for the long run of the season.
Denver. Nikola Jokic stays one of the best participant on the earth, however the Nuggets misplaced a number of guys, together with Bruce Brown, Jeff Inexperienced and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. This isn’t your Champion Nuggets roster. Jamal Murray’s return to star kind is far wanted after a disappointing playoff efficiency. Can he discover a means out of his funk? It is higher for $208 million. Whereas Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. present dependable assist, the Nuggets additionally want younger gamers like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to step up. They received 57 video games final yr. Bench has most likely even improved a bit, however depth stays an space of concern. Are they nearly as good? No, Jokic would not get injured and has led the worst groups to 50 win seasons. They won’t have a big drop
Mavs. The Mavericks made important modifications to their group after reaching the NBA Finals, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving nonetheless main the group. New additions Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes substitute Derrick Jones Jr., Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Inexperienced. Whereas Thompson’s capturing enhances Doncic and Irving, if Derek Vigorous II continues to develop and the presence of PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford strengthens the frontcourt… be careful. Luka is lacking video games and has been for a number of years, so how do they handle the 15 to twenty video games a yr that he misses? You would argue that they made essentially the most enhancements out of all of the groups. Can you will have Luka and Thompson on the courtroom within the playoffs and hope to cease anybody?
Minnesota. Buying and selling star Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle is an improve for me. Though Cities is one of the best participant within the deal, DiVincenzo’s capturing and Randle’s shot creation might complement the present core. Now the franchise is leaning closely on 23-year-old Anthony Edwards, that is a variety of stress on him and we have seen indicators of the influence it is had on him in the course of the playoffs. Happily, Minnesota has one of the best protection within the league, with Rudy Gobert main the way in which, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker offering strong perimeter assist. I doubt they will play at this stage once more for a whole season and that issues in a busy West. Naz Reid is again, whereas rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. ought to be enjoyable to look at.
Phoenix. What number of video games can Durant, Beal and Booker really play collectively this yr? They will shoot a ton of 3s, which can profit them with the teaching change. Signing Tyus Jones and Monte Morris will assist, however I simply surprise the place they’re mentally as we enter the winter months if issues do not work out nicely.
Not everyone seems to be a competitor.
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Jap Convention (so as)
- Celtics
- Deer
- Riders
- Knicks
- 76ers
- Pacers
- Magic
- Warmth
- Falcons
- Raptors
- Hornets
- Bulls
- Detroit
- Nets
- Wizards
The Celtics are my choose to win the championship this yr, even when Kristaps Porzingis is out till January. Let’s be actual…he’ll be out longer than that. For my part, it’s the most full group offensively and defensively when it’s wholesome and motivated. Motivation should not be an issue after what occurred on the Olympics with two of Boston’s greatest stars. They will shoot and have a number of individuals who can manipulate the protection with dribbling and off-ball motion. I feel there’s a drop of 1 to 2 in a means that is a bit more drastic than within the West.
Deer. There is no such thing as a different option to say it than they’re previous. What’s going to we see from a 34-year-old Lillard? They added Taurean Prince, Delon Wright and Gary Trent Jr. within the offseason to enhance the standard of depth. Middleton is injured once more to begin the season, so there will likely be a transition interval for this group. Giannis continues to be elite and might carry this group via the East along with his high quality. Have they improved the perimeter protection sufficient to be a official contender?
Wine retailers. An incredible two yr run for them and now a brand new head coach in Kenny Atkinson. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are implausible mixed with bigs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The stress is on Mobley to take the subsequent step in his profession. The Cavs want this to occur in the event that they wish to problem the league’s actual contenders. Jaylon Tyson is an thrilling addition.
Knicks. Jalen Brunson is the famous person New York did not know it might get once they signed him in free company. Now he will get to see what it is like in New York to play a group that ought to be within the high 4 within the East whereas coping with the stress of a franchise that persistently underperforms. OG Anunoby was an fascinating addition final yr, now the Knicks added Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony-Cities within the offseason to actually elevate expectations. They’ve a fantastic group of fellows within the high 7, however they have not all the time been wholesome for lengthy stretches of their profession. Simply discover a option to get everybody wholesome for the playoffs and attempt to get some wins.
76ers. That is already taking place. Paul George is affected by a bone bruise in his knee and Joel Embiid might take some time to return. I do know Embiid is the star, however this group will reside and die with Tyrese Maxey. I am not satisfied this group can keep wholesome sufficient or have the ability to depart behind the previous performances of star gamers within the playoffs. Do not get me incorrect, this listing is basically, actually, good. Including Reggie Jackson Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele will assist. They’ve the best upside of any group within the East not named Boston. THE
The Pacers will not be adequate offensively.
Magics are enjoyable however require extra time to develop.
The Warmth really want a greater yr from Jimmy Butler.
Others will not be pretenders.
