And The '24-25 NBA Champion Will Be...

My final predictions for the upcoming season

Good Morning! Today I make my final predictions for the upcoming NBA season, but first, a little news…

News & Notes

🏀 We didn’t get a definitive update on Landry Shamet’s shoulder - Thibs just said he’s been meeting with medical, to the surprise of absolutely no one - but he was seen in a sling. So that’s not great.

As for the 14th roster spot (presuming Hukporti gets converted from his two-way deal to get the 13th spot), Ian Begley reported early yesterday morning that “there was some internal support for adding Marcus Morris Sr.” prior to Shamet’s injury. He also mentioned the possibility of converting a second two-way contract (either Toppin or McKuller), presumably to stay as far under the second apron as possible while kicking the can down the road a bit.

They could also look to a fresh name - someone like Jalen McDaniels, Reggie Bullock, and if he gets waived by Boston as is expected, Lonnie Walker.

Whatever they decide, we’ll find out sometime in the next four days.

🏀 MSG is adding former Knick Jamal Crawford to the broadcast team. He’ll provide color commentary on about 10 games next season.

NBA Predictions - Part II

In case you missed it, check out Part I of my NBA predictions from last week, as well as my Knicks predictions from a few weeks ago.

Let’s take out the crystal ball one last time this preseason…

4. The Top 5 Offenses will be…

Before I list my picks, a quick note on league-wide scoring…

For about five decades, from the 1978-79 season to the 2017-18 season, per-possession scoring was relatively consistent, staying between 102.9 and 108.8 points per 100 possessions. In the last six seasons though, it has steadily risen, going from 110.4 in ‘18-19 to 110.6, then 112.3, 112.0, 114.8 and finally 115.3 last year. I’m predicting it starts to trend back in the other direction, with the league already showing their hand by allowing more physicality after the midway point of last season.