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.

 

[shopson67]

It looks like our April here in Michigan

LOL. It's been in the teens here in Western NY, but not much snow (at least in Rochester). Going to warm up all the way to 30 this weekend, which means we probably get some snow.

 

[shopson67]

2 straight wins without Kyrie/Luka. This is how you stay in the top 6

More like this is how you tank for Portland?