The 2024-2025 NBA Basketball Season

[WiggyRuss]

Healthy Dallas is tier 2, Houston is close

my Cavs matchup very very well with Dallas too is prob. part of why I think that. I feel Mobley and Allen would have their way with them while Garland and Mitchell could play Kyrie and Doncic fairly evenly. Doncic is a big dude - he is really versatile and plays pretty big.

 

[WiggyRuss]

what worries me about the Cavs- is that almost always, championship teams have a MVP candidate, top 5 or at worst top 10 player leading it.

Mitchell is really good but hes not a top 10 guy. You might have to go back to 2004 for a team without a top 10 guy winning a championship. OKC, BOS, DAL, DEN all have top 10 guys.

and - whether it is relevant or not at this point- while that Knicks series is a long way back from how this roster has developed- the Cavs will still need to answer toughness questions in the playoffs. I think Allen and Mobley have both improved a ton in that category since that Knicks series- but they wont completely be able to shake that until they really put a team on their ass in the playoffs.

 

[WiggyRuss]

its why I just cant totally discount the Sixers yet. Embiid is always freaking hurt--- and it may never happen- but if that guy was healthy for a full playoff run, and had Maxey and George healthy, they would not be an easy out for ANYONE.

Lakers do have LeBron and Davis- but at least for right now- they are not winning 3-4 playoff series in a row with that defense. No way.

Denver is still dangerous but they dont have the depth they used to have- but Jokic is still Jokic and Murray can still play with just about anyone in the back court on certain nights.

There are some dark horses- but I would still say Boston is the favorite with Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, White and Holliday if they are all healthy. That is a really good starting 5 with a ton of length, shooting and experience.

OKC could win it, but I think they are not even close to having their best team- but they do have an MVP type guy in SGA so its certainly possible- and I think getting through the West will not be nearly as difficult as getting out of the East.

 

[tlance]

if I am going tiers- and assuming guys that are due to get healthy- do get healthy

Tier 1
BOS
CLE
OKC

Tier 2
Knicks

Tier 3
Denver
Milwaukee
Orlando
Dallas
Houston

Tier 4
LAL
MIN
PHI
IND

(I almost put Miami in tier 4- but without Butler- its hard to imagine them having the guns to win a playoff series)

I’m with @msgkings322 on this

Houston, Dallas and Memphis for me belong in tier 2

Don’t think the Knicks are better than those teams.