As we begin the second week of the NBA’s 2024-25 season, there are a few surprises brewing already.
The Boston Celtics looked invincible up until their visit to Indianapolis last night, but I’m not counting them out anytime soon. Last season they proved themselves as a team; this season, their players have things to prove individually.
Not to me, not to you, but to themselves and to those who left them off certain rosters or let them sit on the bench through the entire Olympic experience (not mentioning any names or pointing fingers, but definitely looking forward to next Wednesday, November 6th and January 20th.
But the talk of the league are the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. They are the league’s only undefeated teams in this young season, and they couldn’t be any different.
Cleveland has veteran experience in Donovan Mitchell and tall timbers in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. OKC is the youngest team in the league with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the grizzled veteran and face of the franchise, while Chet Holmgren’s 2023-24 campaign was his first full season.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz are hitting all the wrong notes as the NBA’s only witness team.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| Cleveland Cavaliers
5-0 (1.000) |
It’s not so much that the Cavs are for real just yet. It’s more like they are a healthy version of the team that JB Bickerstaff had last season; think when Steve Kerr took over for Mark Jackson at Golden State. But, since Kenny Atkinson was on Kerr’s bench, maybe some of the magic and experience came with him. Time will tell. Fresh off their embarrassment of the local James boys (LeBron and Bronny), Donovan Mitchell and Co. have their sights set on being a dominant Cavs team out of the shadow of James. |
| Boston Celtics 4-1 (.800) |
Arguably the best team in the league, and showed as much last night in Indianapolis, despite the loss. They came back from 24 down to force overtime with their tenacious defense, but all good things come to an end … ready to begin again in their title defense. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are playing with respective chips on their shoulders thanks to being snubbed by the Olympic team (Brown for non-selection; Tatum for DNP). Like a dominating reigning champ needs any more impetus. |
| Chicago Bulls 3-2 (.600) |
Though Lonzo Ball is hurt again, the Bulls are looking like they might be on the right track to make some noise despite losing DeMar DeRozan to free agency. DD’s departure has opened the door for the team to be Zach LaVine’s once again, assuming he remains healthy. It’s also allowed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White to blossom. Good things may be on their way to Chicago after all … assuming Ball can stay healthy. |
| Orlando Magic
3-2 (.600) |
Paolo Banchero is proving to be a beast of a player the Magic have so desperately needed for the last decade. Through five games, Banchero is averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. |
| New York Knicks 2-2 (.500) |
Expectations are heavy for the Knicks, who added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in the off-season via trades. KAT is averaging 22.5 points and almost half as many rebounds (11.6 a night), while Bridges brings 18.3 points and four assists so far. But it’ll take more than Bridges and Towns to bring a ‘ship to the Borough. |
| Miami Heat 2-2 (.500) |
Yet another year for Jimmy Butler to try and prove himself. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him ask for a trade or be traded at some point this season. As of this writing, Butler is third in scoring (16.8), third in rebounds (5.0), and leads only in assists at six a night. |
| Charlotte Hornets 2-2 (.500) |
This may be LaMelo Ball’s year to have a breakout season … Ball out, if you will … provided he can remain healthy. Thus far, Ball has played all four games and is averaging 28.5 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Hornets. |
| Washington Wizards 2-2 (.500) |
This team is seemingly always a work in progress. They just need the right leadership … and I’m not sure Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, or head coach Brian Keefe are any more the answer than Wes Unseld, Jr. was. At 8 ppg, Alexandre Sarr is a long way off from being a redeemer. |
| Atlanta Hawks 2-3 (.400) |
A quick start, then a three game let-down. An all-too-familiar story. With the Dejounte Murray experiment/saga off to New Orleans, it’s Trae Young’s team again and he leads all with 28.2 points a night. But we’re back to the age old question again – can the Hawks win with Young? |
| Brooklyn Nets 2-3 (.400) |
The Ben Simmons physical health/mental health issue has reared its ugly head again, already. Aside from adding Royce White to the coaching staff, I don’t see much of anything helping Simmons through this annual cycle. Lost in all of this mediocrity and drama is Cam Thomas’ 27.4 points a night average, and the 24.6 points and 8.2 assists that Dennis Schroder adds. |
| Indiana Pacers 2-3 (.400) |
This may be the best .400 team in the NBA right now, and they showed as much last night, handing the Boston Celtics their first loss of the season with a gutsy overtime performance. Pascal Siakam leads the team with 20.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, and hit the backbreaking three last night against the C;s. |
| Milwaukee Bucks 1-3 (.250) |
Giannis Antetokuonmpo called this team “a team without an identity.” I wholeheartedly agree. First step is admittance and acknowledgement. Now, find solutions. It wasn’t hiring Doc Rivers. Both Antetokouonmpo and Damian Lillard are averaging north of 28 points per game and are an identical 6.3 dimes a night … but this is a far cry from the 2021 championship team – many of which are still on the roster. Hey Dame, missing Portland yet? At 2-3, they’re a shade better than Milwaukee right now. |
| Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 (.250) |
This kind of start was expected with Joel Embiid starting the season with a part-time mentality and Paul George being injured before the season even began. Their absence has given way to Tyrese Maxey’s explosive 31.5 point, 4.5 assist average, but he’s had very little help. |
| Toronto Raptors 1-4 (.200) |
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Raptors, since most of their championship team members are playing elsewhere. RJ Barrett seems to have found a home north of the border, leading the Raptors with 25.5 points per outing, while Scottie Barnes is second in all three categories at 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and six assists. Toronto needs better from Barnes. |
| Detroit Pistons
1-4 (.200) |
JB Bickerstaff has a lot on his plate, a familiar situation and feeling for the coach. But he has the talent on paper to do in Detroit what he did in Cleveland before he was unceremoniously dismissed … and that was win. Cade Cunningham is rounding into form nicely at 25.6 a night while Jaden Ivey kicks in 21.2 ppg. |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0 (1.000) |
With the way they finished the 2023-24m season, it’s nor surprise the Thunder have rolled out to an undefeated start to 2024-25. Chet Holmgren seems to be on a mission. Through four, Holmgren is averaging 22,5 points, 11 boards, and 2.8 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 26 points a night. |
| Golden State Warriors
4-1 (.800) |
Though it’s hard to say Golden State and dark horse in the same sentence, their 4-1 jump start to the season sans Klay Thompson is impressive. Thompson’s “replacement,” Buddy Hield, leads the resurgent Warriors at a 21,2 point per game pace. |
| Phoenix Suns 3-1 (.750) |
Phoenix is another team with a ton of expectations. If they don’t win it all in 2025, expect the team you see in front of you today to be dismantled for 5-10 other NBA players owner Mat Ishbia hasn’t met yet. Kevin Durant leads the team with 29 ppg, Devin Booker has a 23 point pace, and Bradley Beal clocks in at 18 a night and has played three of Phoenix’s four games. |
| Dallas Mavericks
3-1 (.750) |
All eyes on Klay Thompson, who is expected to be the missing piece of horsepower the Mavericks have needed to push back to the NBA Finals. Thompson is averaging 17.9 a night behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He needs to be more of a third wheel. |
| Los Angeles Lakers 3-2 (.600) |
Other than the last couple of games (losses), it’s been hard to believe that LeBron James is 40. The last two games he looks haggard and every bit his age. James is averaging a team-high 25.7 points through five games, while Western Conference Player of the Week Anthony Davis is averaging 24.7 and 12.6 rebounds. |
| Los Angeles Clippers
2-2 (.500) |
Starting with one third of the former Big Three has been tough on the Clippers, who are essentially a one-man band with James Harden … just the way he likes it. At 23.5 points a night, he is second fiddle right now to Norman Powell who is hitting at a 26 point pace. |
| Minnesota Timberwolves 2-2 (.500) |
Losing Karl-Anthony Towns will force the T’Wolves to reinvent their identity once again. This has to be the year it becomes Anthony Edwards’ team but he has to assume leadership in a much more humble and mature manner. But he’s certainly doing his part at 30.0 points per game. |
| Sacramento Kings 2-2 (.500) |
The addition of DeMar DeRozan has been nice, but they’re still another player away. If they think that player is Brandon Ingram, it’s going to cost them. Domantas Sabonis leads the team with 24.3 points and 11 rebounds an outing. DeRozan is hitting for 23 and DeAaron Fox is averaging 21.5 points and 7.5 assists. Better than their record thus far indicates. |
| Denver Nuggets 2-2 (.500) |
Denver got its first win behind a triple double from you know who … nope, not Nikola Jokic; but from the triple double king himself, Russell Westbrook. Hard to believe I’m saying this, but I wrote 14 years ago how he was the barometer for the Oklahoma City Thunder; the player and the story remains the same. Despite the moderate start, Jokic leads the team with 31.5 points and 11.8 rebounds. |
| Houston Rockets 2-2 (.500) |
Not as heavy as New York or Dallas, but there are higher expectations for Houston than people realize or recognize. Jalen Green just got the extension, so his 28.8 points per game (nearly double those of Alperen Sengun’s 14.8 and Fred VanVleet’s 14.8) is off to a nice start on the ROI. |
| Portland Trailblazers 2-3 (.400) |
People have grown too comfortable with perennial disappointment in their only professional sports franchise. But then again, look at the weather they have year after year. Outlook: dismal. Feels like they’ve burned the franchise to the gr9und, much like the city. Scoot Henderson may be the marquee and the guy with the shoe, but it’s Anfernee Simons who has blazed a trail for himself, leading the way at 20.6 points per game. Which means he’s the best trade bait the Blazers have. |
| New Orleans Pelicans 2-3 (.400) |
I fully expect Zion Wiliamson to demand a trade this year. I don’t think he lost all that weight for New Orleans – I think he lost it to make himself more marketable. Now he has 3-4 months to back it up with play. So far he’s just a reboot of Oliver Miller. He;s got to do better than third on his own team – a team he was expected to be the star of. |
| Memphis Grizzlies 2-3 (.400) |
This team is better than .500 on paper, but they need to assimilate playing with Ja Morant … again. To have Jaren Jackson, Jr. averaging 20.7 points, Morant right on his heels at 19 a night, and Desmond Bane putting up 18.8, you’d think they’d be better than .500. Hopefully Zach Edey can be as dominant as he was in the NCAA. |
| San Antonio Spurs
1-3 (.250) |
It’s hard to watch a team of Gregg Popovich’s play to this kind of record. I mean, it worked enough to land them Victor Wembanyama, but they’ve been outmatched 75 percent of the time this week, despite having the prized center. Jeremy Sochan is leading the team at 18.5 points a night, two ahead of Wembanyama’s average. |
| Utah Jazz
0-4 (.000) |
The league’s only undefeated team. Good thing head coach Will Hardy got that bag. Now he has to earn it. I’m just glad they were able to hold on to Lauri Markkanen, who leads the team at 18 points per game. But they need to score more – they are dead last in the league in that category as well. |
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Tracy Graven is the Senior NBA Analyst for BackSportsPage.com.
He has written the NBA, appeared as a guest on NBA Radio, and the last 24+ years for HoopsWorld, Swish Magazine, HoopsHype, the Coach Scott Fields Show, NBARadioShow.com, and also will be tackling the NFL, NCAA for BackSportsPage.
He’s spent 25 years in locker rooms in Orlando, Boise (CBA, G League), San Antonio, Phoenix, Denver, Oklahoma City, and Atlanta.
A corporate trainer by day, he currently resides in the heart of SEC Country near Knoxville, Tennessee – home of the 2024 Men’s Baseball World Series Champion Tennessee Volunteers.
Reach him on Twitter at @RealTMoneyMedia
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