Sacred in the spring against Dallas without ever trembling, the Boston Celtics are huge favorites for the 2024-2025 NBA season, which begins on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, even if some outsiders, notably in the East (Philadelphia, New York) seem to have strengthened.
Boston, the immense favors
After largely dominating the regular season (64 wins, 18 losses), the Celtics crushed the play-offs, losing only three games, and won a first title since 2008, rewarding a homogeneous group led by their young coach Joe Mazzulla.
Without any major change in the squad in the offseason, the “C’s” of the Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown duo, who have reached maturity (26 and 27 years old), are the big favorites: 83% of NBA franchise bosses have predicted a 19e title for Boston in the traditional pre-season poll. “Their chemistry is unique, they deserve the opportunity to tackle this new challenge together”commented Brad Stevens, general manager of the team.
The only uncertainty is that Latvian pivot Kristaps Porzingis will not return before December after surgery on a tendon in his left ankle, leaving a lot of playing time for Al Horford, excellent but aging (38 years old).
In Philadelphia, Paul George completes a trio of stars
The fashion for the “big three”, a trio of stars, was exported to Philadelphia with the arrival of Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers, to support leader Tyrese Maxey, revelation of last season, and especially the 2023 MVP Joel Embiid.
The recruitment of a scorer like Paul George should make it possible to take a little more care of the American-Cameroonian pivot, still injured at the time of the play-offs in the spring (elimination in the first round by New York). “This season, there is no agenda. It’s not about All-Star, it’s not about All-NBA (rewarding the best players of the season). It’s about doing everything to arrive and be ready” for the final stages, launched Embiid.
New York on a smooth ride with Anthony-Towns
The New York Knicks, eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals in May, welcomed four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns in early October, who arrived from Minnesota in exchange for Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo.
New York, which has not played in the NBA final since 1999, is starting to dream in the wake of the darling of Madison Square Garden, the leader Jalen Brunson, who gained depth last season (28.7 points and 6.7 assist average, first time All-Star, 5e of the MVP ranking).
It remains to be seen whether the exchange will be beneficial and whether the alchemy between All-Star players will work. Minnesota is also asking itself the same questions: brilliant finalists in the West, the Timberwolves intend to continue to grow with winger Anthony Edwards, helped by French pivot Rudy Gobert.
Dallas still pretending
Defeated in the NBA final by Boston, the Dallas Mavericks will remain title contenders as long as Luka Doncic maintains an exceptional level of play: he scored on average 33.9 points last year and finished No. 3 in the MVP ranking, before dazzle in the play-offs. Always assisted by electric leader Kyrie Irving, Doncic welcomed former Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson this summer, who came to bring his skills from afar.
Jokic perhaps too alone in Denver
Champion in 2023 and still supported by the double reigning Serbian MVP Nikola Jokic, Denver suffered last season from the decline in performance of the Serbian’s lieutenants, notably Canadian leader Jamal Murray, and from a bench that was not up to standard.
The Nuggets again lost two important role players this summer, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson, but recovered veteran Russell Westbrook, still looking for a first title.
Oklahoma City right on time?
The Thunder’s good 2023-2024 regular season (57 wins, 25 losses, first in the West) was slightly spoiled by the elimination in the semi-final by Dallas (4-2). But “OKC” seems to have all the assets to claim the NBA title: a respected young coach (Mark Daigneault was elected coach of the year), a star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP contender, and depth of talent. squad reinforced by the inexpensive arrivals of interior Isaiah Hartenstein and rear Alex Caruso.
