The Post's Stephen Bondy, Brian Lewis and Mike Vaccaro answer your most pressing NBA tips questions.
1. What are the biggest storylines for the 2024-25 season?
Stephen Bondy: lebron james. Until he retires, it will always be LeBron James. This season's new problem is his son Bronny. He doesn't seem ready or ready for the NBA yet. But there is no doubt that they will become the first father-son duo in history to play together in an NBA game.
Brian Lewis: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry were three of the greatest athletes of their era, all performing at the Paris Olympics. But are their days coming to an end?
Mike Vaccaro: It's hard to imagine the Thunder not being the best team in the league at this point. They were already great and were getting even better. This is a 60+ win team and should be ready for the playoffs.
2. This team will be better than expected
bondi: Pistons. Under director Monty Williams, they were like trash cans. Monty Williams coached as if he wanted to get fired and collect that lucrative contract from his couch. But they have enough talent to make the play-in with Cade Cunningham under center. That's a big deal for Cunningham, if he can stay healthy.
Lewis: If you're going to judge by the playoffs, it's Oklahoma City. After being upset in the second round last season, the Thunder will advance even further this time around and maybe make it to the Finals.
Vaccaro: It feels like the world has jumped on the Nuggets after last year's flameout. But they still have Jokic. And maybe, just maybe, this is where Russell Westbrook will write the final chapter he deserves.
3. This team is going to be worse than expected.
Bondi: Sixers. Paul George is already injured. Joel Embiid is already committed to missing a lot of games. There's only so much Tyrese Maxey can do against them.
Lewis: Clippers. He won 51 games last year, but his winning percentage is expected to be 40.5. However, the Sixers lost Paul George and Kawhi Leonard is already out indefinitely with a knee issue.
Vaccaro: If the Sixers can keep their big three intact for eight months, they will be one to watch. It's hard to imagine the Big 3 remaining intact for eight months. Or 8 weeks.
4. This player will be on the rise this season.
Bondi: Brandon Miller. The Hornets stink, but Miller is a future star. He just has to find a way to pry the ball away from LaMelo Ball.
Lewis: Jaylen Williams of Oklahoma City. Ja Morant is making a comeback, and Victor Wembaneyama is expected to do well, but the Thunder's shooting guard will be the one to make a real breakthrough.
Vaccaro: Darius Garland. He seems to be in a more stable position than ever before, healthy again and likely to thrive under the tutelage of Kenny Atkinson.
5. This player will leave this season.
Bondi: lebron james. It's not wise to bet on the second greatest player of all time (MJ is No. 1), but as the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated. LeBron will turn 40 in December, and the supporting cast outside of the injury-prone Anthony Davis hasn't been very good.
Lewis: Kawhi Leonard. He's out indefinitely with inflammation in his right knee, and with the Clippers having no legitimate championship aspirations, how many games will the oft-injured wing miss?
Vaccaro: It started last year. But by the All-Star break, the Bucks may really regret changing the team's conventional wisdom by pushing Damian Lillard.
6. If I were this coach, I would worry about my status.
Bondi: Quin Snyder. He is in his third season with the Hawks, and the team has been disappointing. If Snyder doesn't make the playoffs this season, he'll be in trouble.
Lewis: Billy Donovan. To be honest, I thought he was gone last year. But the fact that the Bulls have finally begun their long-delayed rebuild won't help the Long Island native this season either.
Vaccaro: The Clippers are poised to become a dumpster fire. And if that happens and the selection falls on Tyronn Lue or James Harden, the coach always “wins”.
7. Here are the biggest names moved at the trade deadline:
Bondi: James Harden. You can always count on him to ask you out on a date. The Clippers are already reeling from Kawhi Leonard's knee injury, and Harden will be guaranteed a ringless presence until he leaves. Another big name might be Jimmy Butler.
Lewis: Zach Lavigne. Brandon Ingram seems like a reasonable name, but if LaVine plays out another six months of his five-year, $215 million albatross contract, a deal could be finalized before the deadline.
Vaccaro: Julius Randle. He could be a perfect fit for Minnesota. Or it could go in the opposite direction. And if it goes in the opposite direction…
8. Don't be surprised if this becomes a quiet big topic this year
Bondi: Mike Malone is unhappy with the Nuggets. Rumor has it that the championship coach is at odds with GM Calvin Booth, and ownership may have to make some important decisions.
Lewis: Behind the LeBron-KD-Steph storyline. Can the young trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards make the leap to MVP…or the title?
Vaccaro: We haven't heard the end of it yet from the hapless former Knicks, but if the Knicks start slowly — which is a distinct possibility — there's a lot to build on from all corners of the league starting here. Dew.
9.MVP prediction
Bondi: Luka Doncic. It feels like MVP has always been a cumulative award, but Doncic has been knocking on that door for several seasons. At 25 years old and on the verge of playing in the NBA Finals, it's time for Doncic to win the MVP award.
Lewis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic, who led the Mavericks to the Finals last year, is a strong candidate, but it's the Thunder's superstar who will win MVP.
Vaccaro: Luka Doncic. He's already spent much of the season in that rarefied atmosphere. Look for him to make the final leap possible after his stumble in last year's NBA Finals.
10. NBA Finals Prediction
Bondi: Celtics vs. Timberwolves. It's hard to repeat, but Boston is a city centered around people in their mid-20s. The T-Wolves took the next step toward the Finals as Anthony Edwards moved into the NBA's top four.
Lewis: Celtics vs. Thunder. Boston returns to the NBA Finals and repeats this, this time teaching young Oklahoma City a lesson.
Vaccaro: Thunder to Celtics. And if that happens, the Thunder will have the biggest blueprint in NBA history, going 22-24-40-57 and winning the title. And they still have assets!
