2025 NBA Season

[TravelMug]

I have a feeling that the western conference ranked 4, 5, 6, and 7 might be more difficult to beat during the playoffs. These teams are not just capable but they are well-experienced teams with playoffs veterans that can remain composed during the toughest games and clutch times.

Poor Dallas Mavericks, I want them at least inside the top 10. This might be the most stacked year in the west. Although I did notice since I was a kid that the western conference is always with better win-loss teams than the east.

Might be, those teams are really balance and who knows, some of them might be kryptonite of the best teams in either of the conference. It's like everything is a balance between those rank 4-7 and each one of them could give the rank 1-3 a head ache in the series matchup.

Still a lot of games and those team are still in the hunt for a playoff spot or play-in so we can't just discount them.

Just like the Lakers who had a good win against the Wolves as they show tenacity even if they are down in the first two quarters.

[danherbias07]

I have a feeling that the western conference ranked 4, 5, 6, and 7 might be more difficult to beat during the playoffs. These teams are not just capable but they are well-experienced teams with playoffs veterans that can remain composed during the toughest games and clutch times.

Poor Dallas Mavericks, I want them at least inside the top 10. This might be the most stacked year in the west. Although I did notice since I was a kid that the western conference is always with better win-loss teams than the east.

5 more games left for them. I am not in a worry yet because they can really win if they wanted to, all they need is to push harder. It seems like Doncic and Kyrie's chemistry doesn't work so Coach Kidd should find a way for flexible minutes. Luka loved handling the ball for a long time and so does Kyrie. The other player is just standing there watching while the other is doing his work. Not right, unlike other teams where the other star keeps on moving.
i.e. Warriors Steph doesn't stop running if Klay or Poole has the ball.

I love the New York Knicks somehow finding a way to steal a win against the strong Cavaliers in their home and without Julius Randle.
Jalen Brunson, 48 monster points! Is he really that small? Who else can score that much at 6'1?!

[carlisle1]

I have a feeling that the western conference ranked 4, 5, 6, and 7 might be more difficult to beat during the playoffs. These teams are not just capable but they are well-experienced teams with playoffs veterans that can remain composed during the toughest games and clutch times.

Poor Dallas Mavericks, I want them at least inside the top 10. This might be the most stacked year in the west. Although I did notice since I was a kid that the western conference is always with better win-loss teams than the east.

5 more games left for them. I am not in a worry yet because they can really win if they wanted to, all they need is to push harder. It seems like Doncic and Kyrie's chemistry doesn't work so Coach Kidd should find a way for flexible minutes. Luka loved handling the ball for a long time and so does Kyrie. The other player is just standing there watching while the other is doing his work. Not right, unlike other teams where the other star keeps on moving.
i.e. Warriors Steph doesn't stop running if Klay or Poole has the ball.

I love the New York Knicks somehow finding a way to steal a win against the strong Cavaliers in their home and without Julius Randle.
Jalen Brunson, 48 monster points! Is he really that small? Who else can score that much at 6'1?!

Something that Luka is missing, Brunson as we all know what he contributes way back with the Mavs, and now
he continues to play that level of confidence even the main Alpha is not around.

Congrats to those who backed the Knicks even Randle is not around, they've got Brunson's solid productions.

Together with his teammates they managed to survive and snatch the win against the Cavs.

[blockman]

Something that Luka is missing, Brunson as we all know what he contributes way back with the Mavs, and now
he continues to play that level of confidence even the main Alpha is not around.

Congrats to those who backed the Knicks even Randle is not around, they've got Brunson's solid productions.

Together with his teammates they managed to survive and snatch the win against the Cavs.

Props to Mitchell but still that's not enough to win over against Knicks because Brunson was also on fire.

I love the New York Knicks somehow finding a way to steal a win against the strong Cavaliers in their home and without Julius Randle.
Jalen Brunson, 48 monster points! Is he really that small? Who else can score that much at 6'1?!

He's a beast, a low-key beast and I'm sure that is being recognized by most. I can't get over that match because I thought that the first-half shooting machine of Mitchell was already on momentum but then Brunson shows how to beat it.

[Jating]

I have a feeling that the western conference ranked 4, 5, 6, and 7 might be more difficult to beat during the playoffs. These teams are not just capable but they are well-experienced teams with playoffs veterans that can remain composed during the toughest games and clutch times.

Poor Dallas Mavericks, I want them at least inside the top 10. This might be the most stacked year in the west. Although I did notice since I was a kid that the western conference is always with better win-loss teams than the east.

5 more games left for them. I am not in a worry yet because they can really win if they wanted to, all they need is to push harder. It seems like Doncic and Kyrie's chemistry doesn't work so Coach Kidd should find a way for flexible minutes. Luka loved handling the ball for a long time and so does Kyrie. The other player is just standing there watching while the other is doing his work. Not right, unlike other teams where the other star keeps on moving.
i.e. Warriors Steph doesn't stop running if Klay or Poole has the ball.

I love the New York Knicks somehow finding a way to steal a win against the strong Cavaliers in their home and without Julius Randle.
Jalen Brunson, 48 monster points! Is he really that small? Who else can score that much at 6'1?!

Yes, I thought that the favorite Cavs are going to win this match, as the Knicks doesn't have Randle in the lineup.

But Brunson carry the team and had one of those games that he no one can stop him, probably the Mavs are kicking themselves for letting Brunson. Although they got Kyrie, it was very different when Luka and Brunson play.

Anyhow, not sure what the Mavs will do with their current roster because it's evident that they need to change something to be competitive again.

[wheelz1200]

Something that Luka is missing, Brunson as we all know what he contributes way back with the Mavs, and now
he continues to play that level of confidence even the main Alpha is not around.

Congrats to those who backed the Knicks even Randle is not around, they've got Brunson's solid productions.

Together with his teammates they managed to survive and snatch the win against the Cavs.

Props to Mitchell but still that's not enough to win over against Knicks because Brunson was also on fire.

I love the New York Knicks somehow finding a way to steal a win against the strong Cavaliers in their home and without Julius Randle.
Jalen Brunson, 48 monster points! Is he really that small? Who else can score that much at 6'1?!

He's a beast, a low-key beast and I'm sure that is being recognized by most. I can't get over that match because I thought that the first-half shooting machine of Mitchell was already on momentum but then Brunson shows how to beat it.

The knicks are sneaky becoming a team no one wants to see in the playoffs.  They are one of the best road teams and are tough to beat back to back.  They are gritty and withstood a cavs first quarter of 47 points.  No Randle no problem.

And I'm gonna say this someone tell me I'm wrong.  Brunson was the best steal in free agency in the last 10 years.

Dallas declined extending him 4 years for $55mil mid season last year 😂

[LogitechMouse]

I have a feeling that the western conference ranked 4, 5, 6, and 7 might be more difficult to beat during the playoffs. These teams are not just capable but they are well-experienced teams with playoffs veterans that can remain composed during the toughest games and clutch times.

I did a quick look on the official website on the 4th-7th seeded team right now. If the regular season ends up today, the teams who are in the 4th-7th are the Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Lakers. Base on their current roster, I will say that they are hard to defeat on the playoffs, and those teams who will face them will be having a hard time defeating them (of course this disregards injuries).

Phoenix Suns - They have 4 all-stars plus Okogie is playing very well in their last games. The only problem with them is their bench which isn't that deep IMO.
LA Clippers - PG13 getting injured really is a big hit for the team, and I don't know when he will return, but if he will return on the playoffs, their opponent will be having a hard time defending them.
Golden State Warriors - Let's not forget that they are the defending champions. They might be having a hard time winning on the road, but when they got the rhythm, and get those wins on the road, they're very deadly. Remember that they also got GPII back. Kuminga is also improving both on defense and offense. Wiggins isn't playing as well.
LA Lakers - Ever since the trade deadline, the Lakers are 2nd in defensive rating, and with a healthy AD, the Lakers really is a hard team to defeat with. They also have a good depth as well.

Poor Dallas Mavericks, I want them at least inside the top 10. This might be the most stacked year in the west. Although I did notice since I was a kid that the western conference is always with better win-loss teams than the east.

The frustration of Luka towards the call of the referees definitely affects his performance. Add also the fact that they are one of the worst defensive teams right now. Their highest place that they can get at this moment is at least the play-in tournament. Good luck with them, and I hope they will get better players in the off-season.

[mirakal]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

With the present roster they've got now, their chances to play and participate in the post season games are getting more likely compared to what they've got pre-all star weekend. These new acquisitions gave them a better chance at any given games as long as the cores are also present, and there's this Austin Reaves who's getting more and more competitive each day and recently, he was just labeled as a clutch player. The next game is still a must win and it will be an embarrassment to the team if they will get beaten by the Houston Rockets.

[Japinat]

Celtics destroyed Bucks and gave a good message about play-offs. They are ready. Insane shooting from whole team. Tatum and Brown are the best duo in the league right now. They scored more than Bucks in third period, they sit in the bench in last period when the gap went up to 40 points. Crazy night for Celtics. If they play like that in the play-off they'll be my favorite team to win the championship this year.

Giannis is different when clutch time like playoffs. Last year was different because he doesn’t have reliable team mate that can cover scoring on the perimeter. This game is the typical game of Boston having the phase but playoffs is always is different level due counter strategy and players will to win the game.

Celtics is a monster on this game butI still believe on the best Giannis can give them a good match on playoffs if they will ever face again on the Eastern finals.

People making too much of this game. Celtics aren't going to shoot like that from behind the arc like that.  And yeah in the playoffs it's a whole new ball game.  Playoff basketball is so much different then regular season.  Benches and rotations get shortened.  Usage rate shifts and the Bucks are set up to thrive in the playoffs.  I think they have the best shot honestly in all of the league right now.  Giannis can be stopped for a game but in a best of 7 who the hell wants to guard that dude lol.

Well, it's certain that both teams got their own improvements as the time goes by and the fact that both of them have failed in the last playoffs, it will set to them as a determination for the whole team to thrive more and improve their weakness. That goes for both Bucks and Celtics, what we saw recently was just a regular game that happened in regular season and I certainly believed that it wasn't a preview of what will likely happen if the two of them will face in a series game. Playoffs is just different, so different that most of them just can't endure the whole 7 games and facing the fact that they will have another set of series game in their next match-up.

[wheelz1200]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

With the present roster they've got now, their chances to play and participate in the post season games are getting more likely compared to what they've got pre-all star weekend. These new acquisitions gave them a better chance at any given games as long as the cores are also present, and there's this Austin Reaves who's getting more and more competitive each day and recently, he was just labeled as a clutch player. The next game is still a must win and it will be an embarrassment to the team if they will get beaten by the Houston Rockets.

I'm still not convinced they will do any real damage in the playoffs.  I mean never count out Bron and what he can do but his supporting cast I just don't think is good enough to make any serious run.  Defenses clamp down more during the playoffs and you need 3-5 players to contribute.  Can reaves and crew step up?  I'm not sold.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

With the present roster they've got now, their chances to play and participate in the post season games are getting more likely compared to what they've got pre-all star weekend. These new acquisitions gave them a better chance at any given games as long as the cores are also present, and there's this Austin Reaves who's getting more and more competitive each day and recently, he was just labeled as a clutch player. The next game is still a must win and it will be an embarrassment to the team if they will get beaten by the Houston Rockets.

I'm still not convinced they will do any real damage in the playoffs.  I mean never count out Bron and what he can do but his supporting cast I just don't think is good enough to make any serious run.  Defenses clamp down more during the playoffs and you need 3-5 players to contribute.  Can reaves and crew step up?  I'm not sold.

Agreed. Another problem might be injuries. Lebron and/or Davis can go down any day again so you never know what to expect. And if that happens who will step up ? Other than Reaves ( I actually say they ) who can you rely on? Deangelo Russell is inconsistent, Rui Hachimura does not reach his potential and the rest is also just a gamble.
Schröder can play like an allstar one night and like a Gleague player the next.

Gonna be hard in the first round, if they reach it.

[jakelyson]

Yes, I thought that the favorite Cavs are going to win this match, as the Knicks doesn't have Randle in the lineup.

But Brunson carry the team and had one of those games that he no one can stop him, probably the Mavs are kicking themselves for letting Brunson. Although they got Kyrie, it was very different when Luka and Brunson play.

Anyhow, not sure what the Mavs will do with their current roster because it's evident that they need to change something to be competitive again.

That is also my take that is why I bet with the Cavaliers on this one. But I did not expect Brunson to carry the team against a better Cavalier. I guess I should not underestimate the Knicks. They can still ball even with an incomplete roster.

Agreed. Another problem might be injuries. Lebron and/or Davis can go down any day again so you never know what to expect. And if that happens who will step up ? Other than Reaves ( I actually say they ) who can you rely on? Deangelo Russell is inconsistent, Rui Hachimura does not reach his potential and the rest is also just a gamble.
Schröder can play like an allstar one night and like a Gleague player the next.

Gonna be hard in the first round, if they reach it.

Let's just face it. Even if they reach the playoffs, the Lakers are in no condition to be competitive in the playoffs. They will be knocked out in the first round. Davis can be very competitive but he is a glass cannot. You cannot rely on him to be consistently available since he is very fragile. Even if Lebron stays healthy during the playoffs, his age prevents him to carry the team like he used to.

[wheelz1200]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

With the present roster they've got now, their chances to play and participate in the post season games are getting more likely compared to what they've got pre-all star weekend. These new acquisitions gave them a better chance at any given games as long as the cores are also present, and there's this Austin Reaves who's getting more and more competitive each day and recently, he was just labeled as a clutch player. The next game is still a must win and it will be an embarrassment to the team if they will get beaten by the Houston Rockets.

I'm still not convinced they will do any real damage in the playoffs.  I mean never count out Bron and what he can do but his supporting cast I just don't think is good enough to make any serious run.  Defenses clamp down more during the playoffs and you need 3-5 players to contribute.  Can reaves and crew step up?  I'm not sold.

Agreed. Another problem might be injuries. Lebron and/or Davis can go down any day again so you never know what to expect. And if that happens who will step up ? Other than Reaves ( I actually say they ) who can you rely on? Deangelo Russell is inconsistent, Rui Hachimura does not reach his potential and the rest is also just a gamble.
Schröder can play like an allstar one night and like a Gleague player the next.

Gonna be hard in the first round, if they reach it.

People are all on the reaves train and I know I say it a lot but playing a 7 games series in the playoffs is way different than the regular season.  Players and coaches catch on and adjust.  I'm not buying that reaves will hold up in a series unless the plan is to eliminate bron and AD.  And at that point if I'm a coach I'm fine with reaves getting his 25 a night.  If Bron and AD can play night in and night out they have a shot at being competitive but they need to be able to hold up nightly.

[beerlover]

The knicks are sneaky becoming a team no one wants to see in the playoffs.  They are one of the best road teams and are tough to beat back to back.  They are gritty and withstood a cavs first quarter of 47 points.  No Randle no problem.

And I'm gonna say this someone tell me I'm wrong.  Brunson was the best steal in free agency in the last 10 years.

Dallas declined extending him 4 years for $55mil mid season last year 😂

Doncic as the 5th pick (technically third) in a year where first was Ayton, and second was Bagley, technically speaking third and fifth, Atlanta and mavs had a trade, so fifth mavs got doncic that way by giving one pick, and fourth was JJJ as well.

So I can easily say that, wildly the best player in many years, a superstar, someone who is by far the best of that year, going third or even technically fifth? That was by far the best steal in the last 10 years. Nobody made any draft move that was better than that. This kid was the euroleague MVP before he even joined NBA at 19 years old, he was the MVP among grown up 20-30+ year old players league, and he wasn't drafted first.

[harizen]

Dallas declined extending him 4 years for $55mil mid season last year 😂

Actually that was the maximum best offer that Dallas Mavericks can give to him and if things didn't work, it's now up for Brunson to decide whether he will stay on the Mavericks or try some luck at the free agency.

But honestly, he didn't really expect some luck but Brunson is already aware that New York Knicks will push on signing him and the rest is history. I would say that it's really his goal to be signed by the Knicks.

His father, Rick Brunson, assistant coach of the New York Knicks, also plays a big role and one of the reasons why Jalen decided to be signed by the Knicks.

Brunson is really a big loss for the Mavericks but on the other way around, it's not good to see a player that is not interested anymore in playing for the team.

[btc_angela]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

With the present roster they've got now, their chances to play and participate in the post season games are getting more likely compared to what they've got pre-all star weekend. These new acquisitions gave them a better chance at any given games as long as the cores are also present, and there's this Austin Reaves who's getting more and more competitive each day and recently, he was just labeled as a clutch player. The next game is still a must win and it will be an embarrassment to the team if they will get beaten by the Houston Rockets.

Everyone is getting competitive, D'Lo and Vanderbilt. And there are games that Beasley and Hachimura also contribute big time. There were moments that Hachimura plays KAT 1:1 in defense and he can hold himself up.

So it's a complete roster now, it could have been better if they have this team, early and perhaps they have built the momentum already and could not been in this position that they are in right now, trying to survived and have a line for the playoff spot or play-in.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Dallas declined extending him 4 years for $55mil mid season last year 😂

Actually that was the maximum best offer that Dallas Mavericks can give to him and if things didn't work, it's now up for Brunson to decide whether he will stay on the Mavericks or try some luck at the free agency.

But honestly, he didn't really expect some luck but Brunson is already aware that New York Knicks will push on signing him and the rest is history. I would say that it's really his goal to be signed by the Knicks.

His father, Rick Brunson, assistant coach of the New York Knicks, also plays a big role and one of the reasons why Jalen decided to be signed by the Knicks.

Brunson is really a big loss for the Mavericks but on the other way around, it's not good to see a player that is not interested anymore in playing for the team.

Yes, that is the big reason why he choose to go to New York, and perhaps even if they offer him big money anyways, he will still not sign that contract. But yeah, Dallas has to pay the price for that, they try to adjust as a team in the first half and really did good until teams become competitive after the all star break and there are a lot of movement, including them acquiring Kyrie and letting go of their 2 good players. But so far it's not a match made in heaven, as Kyrie and Luka and the Mavs wasn't that strong as others perceived with Irving's acquisition.

[xzone]

A great win tonight for the Lakers over the Timberwolves. That moves them up into the seventh spot in the playoff race and just behind the Warriors and Clippers to move up out of the play-in tournament. With the Lakers playing great I think there’s a good shot they end up the number 5 or 6 seed. At the very least they should find themselves with a chance at a post season run.

The Lakers are doing very well in the last games, they are doing everything they can to make it to the playoffs. The team is playing much better than they were at the beginning of the season, both their individual and team performances have increased a lot. If they continue like this, they have a chance to be successful in the playoffs.
Anthony Davis plays very well and takes charge of the team, hope he will do that in playoffs too

[goinmerry]

The Lakers are doing very well in the last games, they are doing everything they can to make it to the playoffs. The team is playing much better than they were at the beginning of the season, both their individual and team performances have increased a lot. If they continue like this, they have a chance to be successful in the playoffs.
Anthony Davis plays very well and takes charge of the team, hope he will do that in playoffs too

Yes, Lakers is being always the most mentioned candidate team to play at the play-in tournament and others even give up for them seeing in the playoffs. But with how they are showing on their recent games, it now gives hopes for the Lakers fans to see their team surviving for the playoffs spot.

No choice but to be consistent on their remaining games as the competition on the lower tiers at the Western Conference is really close that every remaining games should be a must win as much as possible.

[dwyane36]

Let's just face it. Even if they reach the playoffs, the Lakers are in no condition to be competitive in the playoffs. They will be knocked out in the first round. Davis can be very competitive but he is a glass cannot. You cannot rely on him to be consistently available since he is very fragile. Even if Lebron stays healthy during the playoffs, his age prevents him to carry the team like he used to.

Of course, the current Lakers roster doesn't look like a championship contender. And if they make the playoffs, they'll have a tough time because their opponent in the first round will probably be either the Nuggets or the Grizzlies. However, I don't agree with you on LeBron. He averages 29 points per game this regular season, and I think he is still able to carry the team during the playoffs despite his age.