2024-25 NBA Season Predictions

Welcome to the “Casual Fan” section of The Show Notes! This is where I talk about sports. Certain aspects of what you read here, such as the depth of the analysis and amount of objectivity, will vary depending on a number of different factors. I promise to always be entertaining though. If you like this, check out my show!

NBA season has arrived! I’ll be doing plenty of in-depth analysis with the help of experts you know and love all season long here. As you will see, some episodes are already up! In the meantime, here’s what I think is going to happen over the course of the season in the Eastern Conference PLUS who will be walking away with which awards when it’s all said and done. Check out Part 2 for my Western Conference predictions as well as who I think will win this year’s NBA title!

The Playoff Teams

1) Boston Celtics

An incredibly talented team that executes on a high level at both ends of the court. The only concern outside of the usual “repeating is hard” stuff is whether or not they have enough post depth with Mr. Glass Kristaps Porzingis and an aging Al Horford. Important to note that the bulk of their title run was done sans Porzingis, so it’s not nearly enough of a concern to expect them to suffer significantly.

2) New York Knicks

For an organization that is typically overhyped, it feels like there hasn’t been enough praise for the moves they’ve made to make a run at their 1st title since 1973. Karl-Anthony Towns is a much better fit for this offense than Julius Randle. Mikal Bridges played a similar role for a title-contending team in Phoenix and nearly won Defensive Player of the Year. On top of all that, they have a bonafide superstar in Jalen Brunson leading the way. Figuring out how to replace Isaiah Hartenstein’s production, especially with Mitchell Robinson’s health issues, is going to determine if they can finish the job. 

3) Milwaukee Bucks

A less-than-ideal start to the Dame-Giannis relationship, but I do expect them to be better. It’s fun to roast Doc Rivers, but his teams do win a lot of games in the regular season. Khris Middleton has carried their offense in the playoffs each of the last 2 seasons despite injury-riddled regular seasons. If he’s healthy enough to give them that version of himself for 65 games while defending at a league-average level, they could be right on the Knicks’ heels.

4) Indiana Pacers

The Eastern Conference Finals run was a bit of an illusion, but they’ll take the experience nonetheless. They should have seen enough to figure out how to make the Tyrese Haliburton-Pascal Siakam pairing work. Hali deferred too much in the playoffs. Whether that was due to injury or the lights being too bright, I’m not sure but he has to be the #1 guy for them to reach their potential. Their style should translate well to regular season wins, but if they haven’t figured out how to defend then don’t expect a return trip to the ECF.

5) Cleveland Cavaliers

I’ve underrated them each of the past 2 seasons, but they keep winning. Now, I’m not exactly sure how with all of the injuries and pieces that don’t quite fit on offense, but I won’t be fooled again. Kenny Atkinson takes over for J.B. Bickerstaff. He got a Nets team led by D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie to the playoffs. There’s a lot more talent for him to work with here. They desperately need Evan Mobley to develop offensively to allow the pairing with Jarrett Allen to work and ease the burden on Donovan Mitchell. Also, keep an eye on rookie Jaylon Tyson.

6) Orlando Magic

A scrappy team that loves to defend just added another high-level perimeter defender in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He should also bring some much-needed three-point shooting. Paolo Banchero could stand to be more efficient offensively, but he’s had to carry one hell of a load his first 2 seasons in the league. For them to be taken seriously, they do need to add a scorer that moves him to the #2 spot though. If current #2 option Franz Wagner’s 3-point shot looks as bad as it did last season and in the Olympics, they will have huge problems.

The Play-In Teams

7) Miami Heat

I really don’t want to trust this team. Jimmy Butler is old and his knees look even older. Tyler Herro is the Jordan Poole of Payton Pritchards. They are still waiting for this huge superstar to show up and save them even though they have no assets to offer to get one. However, Erik Spoelstra is arguably the best coach in the league and will somehow figure out a way to make something shake. Also, Bam Adebayo is shooting a ton of 3s (for him) in the preseason and knocking them down. If this is a real thing he does in the regular season, he might be able to be that superstar for them.

8) Philadelphia 76ers

While they did need to move on from Tobias Harris, I don’t think Paul George was the answer. But he’s here now which means Philly fans now have another star’s health to stress about. George has already hyperextended his left knee, and star Joel Embiid’s own knee is causing him to miss time in the preseason. Embiid came out and said he’ll never play back-to-back games again. If true, that’s a guaranteed 12 games he’s missing even if he’s the picture of perfect health. This has a lot of potential to be a disaster. Tyrese Maxey is fun though!

9) Atlanta Hawks

There’s a very hard ceiling on a Trae Young-led team, but it’s higher than what we saw from the Young-Dejounte Murray pairing that they mercifully moved on from. This team isn’t going to win a ton of games, but they will be fun to watch. In addition to Young, Jalen Johnson took a huge leap last season. He should get even more of an opportunity this year as he slides into the #2 role vacated by Murray. Also, nobody knew who Zaccharie Risacher was when they picked him #1 overall, but he’s been looking very #1 pick-ish in the preseason. Quin Snyder is, uh, “caffeinated”, enough to do something with this group.

10) Toronto Raptors

Let’s get nuts. 36 wins made the play-in last season, and I think these Raptors can pull that off. Scottie Barnes got back on track with his development as he made his 1st All-Star appearance. They brought in Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett as they worked to shape this roster around Barnes. Barrett was fantastic after coming over but has struggled with consistency over the course of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Quickley and 2nd-year SG Gradey Dick both in the Most Improved Player conversation though. There are still major holes in this roster, but the 4 teams below them are not nearly as talented.

Outside Looking In

11) Chicago Bulls

A bad roster has gotten worse, and they play like they enjoy being here as much as my dog enjoys going to the vet.

12) Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller and new coach Charles Lee aren’t enough to make up for the unseriousness of LaMelo Ball.

13) Detroit Pistons

Last season was so bad that they’re paying Monty Williams $65 million not to coach. This year will be about digging themselves out of that hole.

14) Washington Wizards

They are led by Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma.

15) Brooklyn Nets

Cam Thomas might shoot it 40 times a game and Ben Simmons is their highest-paid player.

Season Awards

Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

His main competition will be Luka, but SGA plays defense.

Rookie of the Year: Zach Edey, Grizzlies

I couldn’t stand him in college, but bring back the traditional big man!

Most Improved Player: Immanuel Quickley, Raptors

If he’s healthy, puts up the numbers he did when he came over from the Knicks, and they make the play-in, he’ll have one hell of a case.

Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

His defensive impact is the easiest to see since Manute Bol.

6th Man of the Year: Donte DiVincenzo, Timberwolves

He addresses a need for Minnesota and seems pissed about being traded.

Coach of the Year: Ime Udoka, Rockets

This is risky because he could be punished for the Celtics ordeal, but the Rockets are poised for an improvement and he will be a huge reason why.

I refuse to acknowledge the newfangled Clutch Player of the Year award. Thanks for checking out Part 1! Be sure to check out Part 2 for my Western Conference predictions as well as who I think will win it all!