GIVEN THE DISPARITY in the number of teams seriously vying for this season’s two most important crowns, it would be fitting if the 2024-25 season-opening NBA Power Rankings were listed in inverse order.
Clearly, becoming married to Cooper Flagg is considered far more important — and attainable — than being awarded some silly, overly ornamented ring.
While the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in the East and Oklahoma City Thunder in the West would like to believe they have taken the necessary steps to unseat the two returning powers — the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets — atop the standings, the backstroke competition at the bottom of the heap figures to be something of which only Natalie Coughlin could be proud.
I start this year’s Power Rankings with the defending champ at one extreme and a newcomer at the other:
1. Boston Celtics. The last team standing deserves the respect of starting out on top, but really they should be considered co-favorites with the Nuggets.
2. Denver Nuggets. They match up well with the Celtics, but getting through the Western Conference gauntlet with all body parts functioning could be a tougher challenge.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder. The additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein (when healthy) should help, but what’s the hesitation going all-in on a big-time sidekick for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren?
4. New York Knicks. Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns … wow. No doubt they have closed the gap on the Celtics. But that gap was a lot bigger than most people realized last season.
5. Philadelphia 76ers. Paul George is already injured and Joel Embiid wants to pace himself. And just like that, they’re off the Celtics’ radar.
6. Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most unstoppable force in the game today. But until both he and the Bucks realize that, they’ll never duplicate Nikola Jokic’s success in Denver.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves. They proved everyone wrong with the success of their two-headed monster last season. Now it appears they’re trying to prove everyone wrong who reluctantly had to admit they had it right.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers. When push comes to shove with an Eastern Final Four berth on the line, give me Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Embiid or Antetokounmpo over Donovan Mitchell.
9. Sacramento Kings. Why are they a lock to win the Pacific Division? Because the Clippers took advantage of the current sad state of the Lakers, Warriors and Suns last year, and now they’ve fallen harder than the rest. That leaves just one team with a pulse.
10. Dallas Mavericks. This is right about where the Mavericks would have been slotted at the end of last year’s regular season. What’s changed? Klay Thompson? Yeah, he’s gotten older.
11. New Orleans Pelicans. The addition of Dejounte Murray helps put the pressure on Brandon Ingram: Either shape up and accept a complementary role on a very good team, or pack your winter best when Cleveland gets desperate in February.
12. Orlando Magic. If the Celtics had Paolo Banchero instead of Jayson Tatum, that Dynasty II dream could become a reality.
13. Indiana Pacers. They’re to the East what the Pelicans are to the West — a fun team that can beat you on its best night. Unfortunately, they won’t have enough of those nights this season.
14. Miami Heat. No team is rooting harder for the Heat than the Celtics, who seem to draw the underseeded playoff pest every year. But with the Pacers and Magic improving, Miami seems destined for a play-in game or two just for a chance to see Boston again in April.
15. Memphis Grizzlies. The competition begins to dethrone Stephen Curry as the NBA’s top true point guard. If he can keep his head on straight, Ja Morant starts as the favorite. — Reuters
