With pre-season preparations now complete, all eyes are firmly focused on the 2024-25 NBA season proper, which tips off on Tuesday night as defending champions the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks.
It is a worthy contest to begin what is sure to be another season of thrills, spills, twists and turns, with the Celtics and Knicks considered among the candidates to go all the way this season.
Should the Celtics manage that, they would become the first team since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 to win back-to-back titles, while it would be the first time that the NBA's most decorated franchise has retained the title since the 1960s.
There is no shortage of teams champing at the bit to dethrone the 18-time champions, though, and fans around the world are desperate to learn the answers to some burning questions.
How will LeBron James and Bronny James fare as the league's first-ever father-son duo? Can Jayson Tatum justify being handed the biggest contract ever seen in the NBA? And above all, who will be be lifting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy aloft when all is said and done?
Here, members of the Sports Mole team have linked up with our friends from Solobasket to discuss favourites, contenders and dark horses for the 2024-25 NBA championship.
Devesh Jaganath, Sports Mole reporter
Winners: Boston Celtics
It may seem like a safe pick, but I have to go with the Boston Celtics.
After posting a 64-win season with the best offensive rating in the NBA, and dropping only a single NBA Finals game to Dallas, the Celts were head and shoulders better than the rest last year.
Additionally, while many feel that the injury to Kristaps Porzingis could affect them during the early stages, Joe Mazzulla's men recorded 21-4 without "The Unicorn" last term, and I simply do not think that any of the teams have done enough to close the gap to them over the offseason despite a few high-profile moves.
NBA Finals opponents: Oklahoma City Thunder
If the Celtics do not go on to win the NBA Finals this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely be to blame.
OKC won 57 games and were the number-one seed last season, and they have addressed their shortcomings with the acquisitions of two world-class defenders in Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso.
I am also expecting incredible things from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season and it would not surprise me if the likes of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren get their first All-Star call-ups.
Outsider pick: Golden State Warriors
Based on the pre-season, the Golden State Warriors could be the sleeper in the West this year.
Even without one-half of the 'splash brothers', Steve Kerr has given his side the green light to let it fly from beyond the arc and we know how devastating this side can be when Steph Curry is on song.
There have also been rumours of the Warriors looking to bring in a 'superstar' in the coming weeks with the likes of Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Kuzma's names being floated.
Marvellous Adepoju, Sports Mole reporter
Winners: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics put together one of the most dominant campaigns last time out which yielded title number 18, and with the majority of last year's squad still present, I fancy them to go all the way once again and become the first team to win consecutive championships since 2018.
NBA Finals opponents: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder put the league on alert last season when they finished top of the Western Conference before bowing out to the Dallas Mavericks in the playoff second round.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the driving force behind the Thunder's success last time out, and I expect him to enjoy another splendid campaign en route to leading his side to the finals this time around.
Outsider pick: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks suffered a disappointing first-round exit to the Indiana Pacers last time out, albeit without Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo for large spells of the series.
As admitted by the man himself, Lillard endured an underwhelming debut year in Milwaukee, and a return to his usual standards could propel the Bucks to NBA glory.
Joshua Ojele, Sports Mole reporter
Winners: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks finished second in the East after an impressive 50-win campaign before storming to the conference semi-final, where they lost to the Indiana Pacers by four points in a thrilling game-seven showdown.
Since then, the Knicks front office have done their homework in the off-season, trading for Milan Bridges, last season's steals leader OG Anunoby and completing a blockbuster exchange for four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to join floor general Jalen Brunson.
While they will need to show their credentials against the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and reigning champions Boston Celtics in the East, I see Tom Thibodeau's men making another deep run this season and ultimately winning the title for the first time since 1973.
NBA Finals opponents: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma Thunder enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 campaign, finishing with a 57-25 record to claim top seed in the fiercely-competitive Western Conference, before falling 4-2 against the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semi-finals.
They have kept the core from last season, including one of the league's best trio in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, while also adding Isaiah Hartenstein and 2023 NBA All-Defensive First Team Alex Caruso during the off-season.
On paper, OKC are favourites to retain top seed in the Western Conference, and should head coach Mark Daigneault have a healthy roster at his disposal, I see him leading this exciting group to the finals.
Outsider pick: Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets went into last season looking to become the first team to secure back-to-back championships since 2018, and after a 57-win campaign to finish second in the West, their playoff journey came to an end in the conference semi-finals, where they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a thrilling seven-game series.
Nikola Jokic enters this season off the back of becoming just the ninth player in NBA history to be named MVP in three or more seasons, and with the Serbian juggernaut still having much to offer, I can see him possibly leading the franchise to its second NBA championship.
Sergio Llebres, Solobasket reporter
Winners: Boston Celtics
Even if the Western Conference presents, for another season, a fierce and reinforced competition, it is likely that the NBA champion will once again emerge from the East.
Although it is true that there is more inequality between the teams at the top and those at the bottom of the standings, the contenders in the Eastern side have more than enough strength and depth in their rosters to face the playoffs with ease.
In this case, the Boston Celtics maintain all the tools that led them to the championship for the first time in 16 years last season. I do not see a team capable of overcoming a machine as efficient from the perimeter and as cohesive on defense as Joe Mazzulla's.
NBA Finals opponents: Oklahoma City Thunder
There are several strong candidates in the Western Conference, but this could be the final - yet still premature - turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mark Daigneault has made the Thunder a very complete and dynamic team, giving confidence to young players who play like veterans and minimising their mistakes. Not to mention that they have an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in his prime.
Outsider pick: New York Knicks
The perfect formula for Jalen Brunson to shine has been created in the Big Apple. Thibodeau has two top-notch forwards who can help, but not overshadow, the Brunson-Towns duo.
This seems to be the season in which the Knicks have the best chance of reaching the Finals after growing steadily since 2020.
Freddy Diaz, Solobasket reporter
Winners: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics seem to have a fairly competitive advantage to retain the title.
With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in their primes and two of the best defensive players in the entire league - Derrick White and Jrue Holiday - contributing in key moments, it seems that the Celtics have what is necessary to achieve back-to-back championships.
Not to mention what Kristaps Porzingis's height and outside shooting are capable of providing, these combinations mean the current champions have one of the most complete squads in the entire NBA.
For the coming season they are playing almost with the same core of players who won the crown last term, starting with their coaching staff led by Joe Mazzulla, who has already demonstrated his great qualities to manage stars and motivate his team in high-pressure situations; he was even able to turn the team into one of the best in the league at the defensive level.
NBA Finals opponents: Denver Nuggets
The NBA final of the 2024-25 season could involve two teams that have been constantly strengthening in recent years, both at the signing level and at the collective level.
They are none other than the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets, teams that have been some of the best the NBA has had in recent seasons, who also have players who are in the best moment of their careers.
The Nuggets are still led by the Serbian Nikola Jokic, who is also the latest MVP of the league; with all the dominance he is capable of projecting under the boards, they will hardly be able to limit his performance this season.
Outsider pick: Houston Rockets
A surprise team that could stand out in the 2024-25 season are the Houston Rockets.
Although they were not able to demonstrate their full potential last season, due to significant injuries and poor performance, they have extremely talented players who could cause a big surprise in the Western Conference.
The most notable thing about this team is the great balance they have in terms of experience and young talent. Among the most experienced players we find Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green and Steven Adams.
As far as young players are concerned, there are names like Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore and Alperen Sengun, a combination that has already shown that they are ready for great things in the future.
Joaquin Espeche, Solobasket reporter
Winners: New York Knicks
The Knicks won their three pre-season games and, with the arrivals of Karl Anthony Towns and Mikail Bridges, formed the most complete team in the NBA. They will be the great rival that the Celtics will have in the East.
NBA Finals opponents: Dallas Mavericks
Dallas will return to the finals. With Klay Thompson, the Mavs have a stellar big three that will be accompanied by young figures like Dereck Lively II. Interior defense, perimeter shooting, associated play and two stars like Doncic and Irving plus a multiple champion. They have everything.
Outsider pick: New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans will have a great year. The arrival of Dejounte Murray will boost the perimeter defense of Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones.
In addition, it will relieve offensive pressure on Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. Zion Williamson continues to grow in the NBA to be a star, while sophomore Jordan Hawkins is a hope for the franchise.
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