A new, sure to be interesting NBA season tips tonight.
We haven’t had a repeat champ since the 2018 Golden State Warriors. A small(ish) player hasn’t won league MVP since 2018.
I expect both of those things to change. I also think the playoff field will look eerily similar to 2024.
I’m hopeful the 2025 playoffs have more “moments” that last year’s version. The 2024 postseason had one really compelling series (Denver/Minnesota in Round 2), and even most of the games in that seven-game series ended in blowouts.
The 2024 champion Celtics are statistically one of the best teams of all time, but their playoff road didn’t have many speed bumps, which isn’t their fault. The play in the Finals was even subpar. Finals MVP Jaylen Brown put up 20.8 points per game on 44/24/73 splits.
As you’ll see, I see a similar finish for Boston in 2025.
Awards
MVP
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Also considered: Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Also considered: OG Anunoby, Anthony Davis
Rookie of the Year
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Also considered: Kel’el Ware, Stephon Castle
Coach of the Year
Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns
Also considered: Kenny Atkinson
Sixth Man of the Year
Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
Also considered: Brandon Clarke, Jonathan Isaac, Grayson Allen
All-NBA Teams
First Team
Luka Doncic
Anthony Edwards
Nikola Jokic
Kevin Durant
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Second Team
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander
Ja Morant
Victor Wembanyama
Jayson Tatum
Anthony Davis
Third Team
Devin Booker
Donovan Mitchell
Paolo Banchero
Jaylen Brown
Joel Embiid
Division standings
Atlantic
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Philadelphia
4. New Jersey
5. Toronto
Central
1. Cleveland
2. Milwaukee
3. Indiana
4. Detroit
5. Chicago
Southeast
1. Orlando
2. Miami
3. Charlotte
4. Atlanta
5. Washington
Southwest
1. Memphis
2. Dallas
3. New Orleans
4. Houston
5. San Antonio
Northwest
1. Oklahoma City
2. Minnesota
3. Denver
4. Utah
5. Portland
Pacific Division
1. Phoenix
2. LA Lakers
3. Sacramento
4. Golden State
5. LA Clippers
Playoff teams
EAST
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Cleveland
4. Orlando
5. Milwaukee
6. Indiana
7. Philadelphia
8. Miami
WEST
1. Oklahoma City
2. Phoenix
3. Minnesota
4. Memphis
5. Denver
6. Dallas
7. Sacramento
8. LA Lakers
NBA Finals
Phoenix vs. Boston
2025 NBA Champion
Boston Celtics
