2024 NBA Season

[Captain Corporate]

 Now that the date has been talked (which is not guaranteed just yet) we could go back to talking about who we think could be champions with this break. There are 3 different places when people considered champions. One is before the season started, who did you think would be champions before the season started? Second one is during the season, many teams played better than expected and some played worse than expected, after the season started (lets say until the pandemic started) did you changed your idea? Did you considered someone else to be champions? And third one is now, after all this break, do you consider a new team could be champions? Or are you still thinking the same team? You think this break could hurt some teams more than the others?

 For me;

1- I considered Lakers to win before the season started
2- Continued to believe Lakers would win during the season until the virus outbreak
3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

[wozzek23]

No matter how they come back this season, it is going to affect next season a lot. They are already talking about July 31th as the date they might come back and with all the regular season games left and all the playoff games, it is going to be close to November or so, and they are going to deal with off-season after that as well, that is like Christmas time to come back, that is a lot of changes. Next season could be shortened as well.

Moreover, when you play without any fans, that is one of the biggest revenues you are missing as well. Ticket sales are a huge income for the teams and without selling tickets and jerseys and all that, they are not making nearly half as much as they used to make. This is going to be difficult and weird, no matter how this season and next season ends up, it is going to be very very tough for the owners.

[mirakal]

But so does the other at the bottom.
They should also pray that Grizzlies will keep on losing. 

Grizzlies  is a better team than the Blazers this season, I don't know what happen to the Blazers, they are a team that always secure a spot in the past, when they have added some players like Whiteside, Ariza, and Melo this team has struggled.  Do you think Melo was not effective when inserted to the line up?

[Rosilito]

But so does the other at the bottom.
They should also pray that Grizzlies will keep on losing.  

Grizzlies  is a better team than the Blazers this season, I don't know what happen to the Blazers, they are a team that always secure a spot in the past, when they have added some players like Whiteside, Ariza, and Melo this team has struggled.  Do you think Melo was not effective when inserted to the line up?

Not sure what's wrong with Blazers as I haven't watch most of their games. But whenever I see them play,  I never saw Melo played really bad not to mention that he had been a free agent for quite some time. He's good, he still got his shooting skills though he ain't a typical NYK Melo anymore but he's not doubt a deserving player to play inside the court. And... I don't know who will sign him anymore if Blazers let this guy go.

One more thing, maybe Blazers rotation aren't as effective as their last season or it might be a lot of teams did improved like Lakers who is now on the top seed unlike their last season standing, even Mavericks are doing well now. And so, as some team improves and climbs up the ladder, there were also teams who became progressively worse.

[Reid]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Championship experience-wise, Lebron, Green, McGee. Those 3 could make a difference when it comes to crunch time.

Grizzlies  is a better team than the Blazers this season, I don't know what happen to the Blazers, they are a team that always secure a spot in the past, when they have added some players like Whiteside, Ariza, and Melo this team has struggled.  Do you think Melo was not effective when inserted to the line up?

Melo was signed in a little late. IIRC, it was almost December when he was signed.
There is no time for camps and training so he would need to just use what he had which is pure isolation game.
Chemistry is broken in this team. They might get back next season if the team will be kept.

[dwminer1]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Championship experience-wise, Lebron, Green, McGee. Those 3 could make a difference when it comes to crunch time.

Don't forget about Rondo. When Rajon turns on "play-off mode", young stars can be very surprised

The NBA is considering four formats to complete the season: 16, 20, 22 and 30 teams. Which do you think they will choose? I think the one with 20 or 22 teams. 16 teams mean the start of the playoffs. No preparation, no match mode ... too early. 30 teams mean large and unnecessary costs and even more problems with logistics. So there are options with 20 or 22 teams. It seems to me the most fairly solution. Several teams are still fighting for the playoffs. And one more thing - one of these teams is New Orleans Pelicans and im sure that NBA will want to promote Zion. Either way, im looking forward to NBA's return.

[btc_angela]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Yeah, probably a bit of rust, but still have the experience here. Maybe around 2-3 games to shake the cob webs and they are going to be back around 80%-90%. And as long as James is playing and leading the way for the Lakers it will be very hard to beat them. They have more depth and experience as pointed out by @Reid. Let's not forgot about Dwight as well, he has been in the finals against the Lakers and Kobe in 2009 in Orlando Magic uniform.

[Reid]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Championship experience-wise, Lebron, Green, McGee. Those 3 could make a difference when it comes to crunch time.

Don't forget about Rondo. When Rajon turns on "play-off mode", young stars can be very surprised

The NBA is considering four formats to complete the season: 16, 20, 22 and 30 teams. Which do you think they will choose? I think the one with 20 or 22 teams. 16 teams mean the start of the playoffs. No preparation, no match mode ... too early. 30 teams mean large and unnecessary costs and even more problems with logistics. So there are options with 20 or 22 teams. It seems to me the most fairly solution. Several teams are still fighting for the playoffs. And one more thing - one of these teams is New Orleans Pelicans and im sure that NBA will want to promote Zion. Either way, im looking forward to NBA's return.

16 is the best for me.
But, give opportunity for those who are trying to reach the 8th seed like Portland.
Make it 72 games. They are just 3 wins away from the Grizzlies so there is a chance.
Not that I don't like Grizzlies, it's just fairness should be implemented for those who are trying their best to be included in the playoffs.

[Russlenat]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Yeah, probably a bit of rust, but still have the experience here. Maybe around 2-3 games to shake the cob webs and they are going to be back around 80%-90%. And as long as James is playing and leading the way for the Lakers it will be very hard to beat them. They have more depth and experience as pointed out by @Reid. Let's not forgot about Dwight as well, he has been in the finals against the Lakers and Kobe in 2009 in Orlando Magic uniform.

I don't want to make into conclusion easily, Bucks has always been the favorites but there's a lot of teams in the East that could beat them.

Just like the last season, they are very good in the regular season but it will be different in the playoffs.
Also, why do we have to assume that the Lakers will advance, we still have the Clippers, Rockets, and other teams that has a chance of beating the Lakers.

[matchi2011]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Yeah, probably a bit of rust, but still have the experience here. Maybe around 2-3 games to shake the cob webs and they are going to be back around 80%-90%. And as long as James is playing and leading the way for the Lakers it will be very hard to beat them. They have more depth and experience as pointed out by @Reid. Let's not forgot about Dwight as well, he has been in the finals against the Lakers and Kobe in 2009 in Orlando Magic uniform.

Experienced and determination as they are inspired to win the title to honor Kobe, LeBron and the rest of the team are there to play together and to bring back the glory days of this franchise, knowing that LeBron is. It getting any younger and this kind of chance getting another ring would be a good timing for him.

[Reid]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Yeah, probably a bit of rust, but still have the experience here. Maybe around 2-3 games to shake the cob webs and they are going to be back around 80%-90%. And as long as James is playing and leading the way for the Lakers it will be very hard to beat them. They have more depth and experience as pointed out by @Reid. Let's not forgot about Dwight as well, he has been in the finals against the Lakers and Kobe in 2009 in Orlando Magic uniform.

Experienced and determination as they are inspired to win the title to honor Kobe, LeBron and the rest of the team are there to play together and to bring back the glory days of this franchise, knowing that LeBron is. It getting any younger and this kind of chance getting another ring would be a good timing for him.

We can call it a "late prime" of him. 
He is still in good shape and playmaking is where he is good.
Perhaps the leadership that he learned from Cleveland made him a better player.

I worry more about the Bucks.
They are the top of the East but an upset might happen if they will not be ready mentally. Again.

[dwminer1]

If they are not mentally ready it means that they did not deserve to be a champion. The history of sport knows many cases of great players and teams that have never won anything. To become a champion you must be equally strong physically and mentally. But i think Bucks with Giannis still have a great future. Im happy to follow the development of this player and the whole team.

[Rosilito]

3- Now I think maybe Bucks could win because Lakers is a bit older with Lebron and Danny Green and all, whereas Bucks is younger, they could play a lot better with youth whereas Lakers could have a bit of rust when they come back.

Yeah, probably a bit of rust, but still have the experience here. Maybe around 2-3 games to shake the cob webs and they are going to be back around 80%-90%. And as long as James is playing and leading the way for the Lakers it will be very hard to beat them. They have more depth and experience as pointed out by @Reid. Let's not forgot about Dwight as well, he has been in the finals against the Lakers and Kobe in 2009 in Orlando Magic uniform.

Experienced and determination as they are inspired to win the title to honor Kobe, LeBron and the rest of the team are there to play together and to bring back the glory days of this franchise, knowing that LeBron is. It getting any younger and this kind of chance getting another ring would be a good timing for him.

We can call it a "late prime" of him.  
He is still in good shape and playmaking is where he is good.
Perhaps the leadership that he learned from Cleveland made him a better player.

I worry more about the Bucks.
They are the top of the East but an upset might happen if they will not be ready mentally. Again.

I see... you guys seeing the potential about the Lakers  . Well, Bucks on this current season is totally different obviously. I don't know but the feels is kind of different than before, Giannis and even the rest of the guys had improved even more as I see.

Here'e the summary of their match up this 2019-20 season.

Well, yeah it is just a regular season but if they managed to continue it well. Having most of their guys in double point figure compared to Lakers who usually AD and Bron had to dominate more points, is really a struggle. Well, yeah, couldn't as well take out the play-off experience these veterans have. But the thing, do they still got it? I mean the explosiveness   in play-offs.

Don't get me wrong, guys. I love Bron and Lakers though  .

Source: click here

[bitgolden]

When you said good at regular season but maybe not so much on playoffs, I remember raptors before last season. They have always played amazingly during the regular season, they even became the eastern conference leaders for a season if I am not wrong, then every year Lebron just beat them and went to finals. They became the champions as soon as Lebron left the conference .

So, bucks could be like that, they could be good, or they could have hard time. Last year they were great and played well on regular season but lost during playoffs but remember they lost to eventual champions as well, so that means they are not bad at all, this year they are more practiced with the system they have built and I think they might actually have a chance with Kawhi out of their way as well.

[Sanitough]

When you said good at regular season but maybe not so much on playoffs, I remember raptors before last season. They have always played amazingly during the regular season, they even became the eastern conference leaders for a season if I am not wrong, then every year Lebron just beat them and went to finals. They became the champions as soon as Lebron left the conference .

But when Lebron left the East, they become more competitive, they even win the championship, but unfortunately, they faced an injured team where 2 of their best players (durant and Thompson) did not completely play the entire series, so we can also say that the Raptors were lucky that time.

Now, Leonard the man who brought the team and give a championship joined the Clippers, so probably if the Bucks would have an easy journey, they might again struggle facing whoever wins in the West.

So, bucks could be like that, they could be good, or they could have hard time. Last year they were great and played well on regular season but lost during playoffs but remember they lost to eventual champions as well, so that means they are not bad at all, this year they are more practiced with the system they have built and I think they might actually have a chance with Kawhi out of their way as well.

The team to beat by the Bucks in the East are the Raptors, Celtics, and the Sixers, but I like them to face the Sixers in the East Finals and I think Sixers will have a good chance of beating them as they have a lot of players that can defend the Giannis since he is the only one that has to be stop to shut down the system.

[harizen]

I'm not really into Lakers vs Bucks discussion in the finals as the latter team literally always comes up short in the last playoffs even with a good season performance. There are Raptors, Sixers, and the overhaul Celtics that might upset Bucks.

Their core players are still intact and no doubt they really improved, but playoffs time, in a crucial series, that performance changed. See how Raptors managed to slow down the unstoppable Giannis last playoffs and eventually beat this team. That was unexpected as Bucks managed to beat Celtics, 4-1 in semis, and take the 2 games to lead against the Raptors in ECF.

I also mentioned here way back long that Bucks is improving every after season. I want to see how far they will go into the playoffs this time. Damn, this pandemic virus, they wrecked every team's momentum.

Well, yeah, couldn't as well take out the play-off experience these veterans have. But the thing, do they still got it? I mean the explosiveness   in play-offs.

LeBron is always explosive in most of his playoffs games, win, or loss. He can literally carry a team that's quite not performing well. The current roster around him in Lakers has so much difference in Cavaliers.

Do they still get that explosiveness? If you mean Anthony Davis, he is currently on his prime. As for LeBron, there is no sign of him slowing down.

Season games might be a good basis for determining what will be the output but I really don't take as a reference when it comes to playoffs especially "if teams involved are both dominant".

[Reid]

They will put everything they have in the playoffs.
Regular season wins will be ignored.
An example was the 98 Bulls which never won against Utah in the season but still became the champion.  
You know it, I know it, we just watched The Last Dance.  

I am betting for Denver or Dallas. Some may say it is a weak decision but I don't care. It's my guts which tells me and not the stats book.
If Dallas could upset the Clippers, it will be sweeter.
Philly for the East.

[tbterryboy]

I have been watching NBA for over 20 years now, if I learned anything that is regular season means nothing when you go to playoffs. And I am not even talking about worth a little, I am talking about not worthing a damn dime in playoffs. You want the biggest example? Golden State Warriors finished a season with 73-9 and broke the record for the most wins in a season.

Best historical season from any team ever in history of NBA. You know what happened, Cavs beat them in game 7. A team of Lebron, Kyrie, Kevin Love and bunch of scraps beat the 73-9 team on finals. There are thousands of examples, but this one is the most obvious one ever. At the end of the day I am not ruling out an 8th seed winning NBA championship, until the last buzzer any team has chance to win against any team.

[harizen]

I am betting for Denver or Dallas. Some may say it is a weak decision but I don't care. It's my guts which tells me and not the stats book.
If Dallas could upset the Clippers, it will be sweeter.

I'm hoping too for Dallas Mavericks. Miss them badly to see in Playoffs. Their last playoffs appearance is way back 2015-16 season.

In some sports forum, I always have a hashtag of #Dallas Mavericks NBA champion in every of my post even the chances are slim.

I even put some bucks on the NBA Futures for Dallas Mavericks in NitrogenSports.

At the end of the day I am not ruling out an 8th seed winning NBA championship, until the last buzzer any team has chance to win against any team.

That was a difficult achievement.

There have been cases of No. 8 seed beating the No. 1 in playoffs but not able to advance to Finals or even Conference Finals.

It will be the biggest achievement of any team, coming from the 8th seed to the NBA championship.

[chaser15]

An example was the 98 Bulls which never won against Utah in the season but still became the champion.  
You know it, I know it, we just watched The Last Dance.  

Chicago Bulls is the heavily favorites on that year so not really surprising at all to others if they didn't beat the Utah Jazz in that season. They also finished the best record in the Eastern Conference so all of their season losses are not a big deal, to whatever team, since mostly expected that Bulls will reign the playoffs.

I agree with you, all teams putting all their best in the playoffs, they even surpass their best of the best performance in the season.

Best historical season from any team ever in history of NBA. You know what happened, Cavs beat them in game 7. A team of Lebron, Kyrie, Kevin Love and bunch of scraps beat the 73-9 team on finals.

That became the best because that 73-9 team lead the series by 3-1 against the Cavaliers. Then Cavs make a rally for 3 straight wins.

If only, the game is closed, it would never be the best but only notable because GSW is a 73-9 team.

That's the greatest comeback I have seen.