With the NBA almost at mid-season, I am here to catch you up on the big news so far.
As of week 14 (out of 19 weeks in the regular season), the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference goes to the Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5), which is a surprise to many, as last year they only had forty-eight wins out of eighty-two total games. The Cavaliers were underwhelming in the past even though they had superstar power that they have finally started taking advantage of now that they aren’t plagued by injuries like in previous seasons. This year the Cavaliers are the ideal model for a modern NBA team. They are the best defensive team in the league, leading in blocks (182) and steals (336). To go along with their stifling defense, they are second in the league in scoring (122.3 ppg) and first in shooting percentage (50.2%).
In the West, guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander–nicknamed SGA–has been a consistent superstar for the Oklahoma City Thunder, guiding his team to the best record (32-6) in the conference. With an average of 31.4 points per game, Gilgeous-Alexander’s efforts have placed him in MVP discussions, and he is currently the frontrunner for the award. Although SGA deserves a lot of credit, the team as a whole is balanced and ready to compete for a championship. The Thunder lead the league in opponent effective field goal percentage (49.9%)–which is forcing their opponents to take tougher shots– and rank second for points in the paint (52.8%) and first on shots from outside the paint (47.6%). The Thunder also have the best turnover differential at 7, which means that the average team turns the ball over 7 more times than the Thunder do in their games. This allows for more opportunities to score, which the Thunder have taken advantage of.
Several other teams and players have had an impressive start to the 2024-2025 season even if they’re not currently at the very top of the rankings. Eastern Conference Boston Celtics (28-11), for one, have remained dominant, led by forward Jayson Tatum and guard Jaylen Brown. Their balanced offensive scoring and strong defense have solidified them as favorites to return to the finals after beating the Dallas Mavericks (4-1) last year. In the West, the Houston Rockets have been a strong–but surprising team–this season, currently sitting in the second seed with a 23-12 record. Guard Jalen Green has led the way with his scoring, while Alperen Şengün continues to impress with his play. Despite an injury to Jabari Smith, Jr., the Rockets have kept their momentum and remain a strong playoff contender. Other top teams in the West include the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Dončic, and the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant’s exciting and flashy performances.
On the other hand, some teams have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. The New Orleans Pelicans, missing former Duke forward Zion Williamson, have found it difficult to win games and remain near the bottom of the standings with a 7-29 record. The Los Angeles Lakers have battled defensive issues, even as LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to deliver strong individual performances. The Lakers’ success is impressive, as over the off-season they brought in a new head coach–former Duke star JJ Redick, who at the time was ridiculed by the media when hired due to his lack of experience in the coaching world.
Shifting from overall team performances, one of the hottest topics in the NBA right now is where Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler will go after requesting a trade. In late December, Jimmy Butler showed extreme dislike and distrust of the Heat’s front office and owner Pat Riley, who has owned the team for 30 years. Butler was seen on social media visiting one of the coffee shops he owns in Miami and was heard saying to one of his employees, “[This is] Our best guy right here,” then asking, “You see that? See that? I gave you a compliment. That’s what bosses do. They build you up they don’t break you down [like Riley].” Clearly unhappy with his coach and overall experience, Butler isn’t living up to his potential. After a recent loss to the Indiana Pacers where he only had 6 shots and scored 9 points, he said, “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball.” In response to this attitude–which had led to a refusal to attend team meetings and practice–the Heat suspended Butler for 7 games for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
In terms of where we go from here, I think that Jimmy Butler will be traded to a team in need of an offensive-minded player who can score from anywhere on the court and will be traded before the trade deadline of February 6, 2025. The top contender for the Heat superstar is the Golden State Warriors as they lost Klay Thompson who was a player you could rely on to score when you needed it most.
In addition, I think the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the best team in the West and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be the best team in the East as these two teams will continue their reign at the top.
