Celtics, Victor Wembanyama in focus

The 2024-25 NBA season is finally here.

Although basketball fans had the Paris Olympics to tide them over, all eyes are on Tuesday night's tipoff. The Boston Celtics host the new-look New York Knicks in the early game, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who travel to Los Angeles for a nightcap against the Lakers.

Boston is looking to become the first team since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors to repeat as champions, although there will be plenty of competition, starting with their opening opponent.

Here are six key questions as the 2024-25 NBA season begins.

Can anyone take down the Boston Celtics?

The Celtics dominated the NBA almost continuously last season. From his 26-6 start to his 11-game winning streak in February to his smooth path to an 18th^Th Boston won the NBA title and built a strong team capable of winning multiple titles. But this offseason, two Eastern Conference squads – the Knicks and the 76ers – responded to Boston's success with personnel changes.

New York traded for Mikal Bridges, a perimeter winger with strong scoring instincts and excellent defense, and Karl-Anthony Towns, a big whose distance bridges spaces and provides a foil for Kristaps Porziņģis. Philadelphia signed six-time All-NBA forward Paul George, who became in many ways the prototype of the contemporary winger. Still, all five Celtics starters, when healthy, are excellent defenders and can all fire from 3-point range.

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Can the young Thunder take the next step?

Oklahoma City entered last season as the second-youngest team (average age 24.12), behind only the Spurs (23.52). However, the Thunder had the lowest average number of NBA seasons of any team (2.22). Nevertheless, the thunder broke out and conquered number 1 in the West.

Their youth and inexperience became apparent in the playoffs when they were eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual Western Conference champion Mavericks. But coach Mark Daigneault developed a free-flowing offense led by 26-year-old MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who glided through the defense with complete control. Rookie of the Year runner-up Chet Holmgren, 22, played all 82 games and should improve his production. Jalen Williams, 23, also showed up. The 25-year-old Luguentz Dort became a defender. OKC added another defensive piece with a trade for Alex Caruso. The Thunder improved by 17 wins last season; This year, progress will be measured by an intense postseason run.

How will the league and officials handle scoring and physicality?

The NBA often uses the All-Star break to evaluate the first few months of the season before adjusting its focus. Last season, after a burst of historic scoring opportunities before halftime – helped in part by generous, whistle-happy referees – the NBA saw a noticeable shift in the way games were enforced.

The defensive physicality was able to assert itself and free throws gradually diminished. The rating did too. Then, in the middle of the offseason, basketball fans enjoyed the Olympics style of play, run and managed by FIBA personnel. In an appearance earlier this month on “The Wake Up Call with KB and Andy” podcast, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the NBA has informed the coaching staff that “games are going to look a lot more like FIBA than the old free movement.” “NBA.” The first month should be a good indicator of how seriously (and consistently) the NBA is officiating games.

Can Ja Morant stay on the floor and get the Grizzlies back into shape?

Two seasons ago, Memphis won 51 games. Three seasons ago, the Grizzlies won 56. Both times they secured the No. 2 seed in the West. But a 25-game suspension and a shoulder injury derailed star guard Ja Morant's season. His injury was just one of several that catapulted Memphis down the standings.

It may have led to some silver linings. Jaren Jackson Jr., the Defensive Player of the Year two seasons ago, performed well and had greater offensive responsibility. GG Jackson, the youngest player in the NBA last season, showed promise. And now comes Zach Edey, who stabilizes the center spot and provides an immediate presence in the low block and is the preseason favorite for the title of “Rookie of the Year”. The Western Conference is already occupied. If Memphis wants to upset the balance of power and establish itself as a contender, Morant must be the catalyst.

What does Year 2 look like for Victor Wembanyama (and the Spurs)?

He unanimously won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award and piled up clip after clip of exceptional highlights. So basketball fans will be excited to see what Victor Wembanyama has to offer in his second season. Wembanyama, who is still 20, also played for France at the Olympics.

The Spurs diligently kept Wembanyama on a minutes restriction last season as he averaged 29.7 per game. This number should continue to rise. The Spurs also reported Wemby weighing 235 pounds at the start of training camp, 25 more than the 210 he weighed last season. That should help him on both ends of the floor. Improvements to note this season include improved physicality in the post, increased efficiency in his 3-point shooting and a reduction in his 3.7 turnovers per game. The addition of veteran point guard Chris Paul only makes life easier for Wembanyama, who will now also need to increase his scoring output for the Spurs to improve.

What can the Pacers do for an encore?

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2024 playoffs was Indiana's run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Sure, the Pacers benefited from their opponents' injuries in both the first round and semifinals, but they still relied on their pace and ball movement.

Although point guard Tyrese Haliburton leads the NBA in assists (10.9 per game), Indiana may need to be a little more selfish when it comes to finding and creating its own shot, especially late in games. The Pacers, befitting their name, ranked second in offensive speed, although one may question whether that speed is sustainable and whether it compromises defensive integrity; the Pacers finished 23rd^approx in defensive efficiency. Indiana has opted to retain most of its roster, although the return of shooting guard Benedict Mathurin provides a boost off the bench. But as other teams in the Eastern Conference improved, Indiana might find it difficult to gain depth.

Celtics, Victor Wembanyama in focus

ByVanessa

Can anyone take down the Boston Celtics?

Can the young Thunder take the next step?

How will the league and officials handle scoring and physicality?

Can Ja Morant stay on the floor and get the Grizzlies back into shape?

What does Year 2 look like for Victor Wembanyama (and the Spurs)?

What can the Pacers do for an encore?

By Vanessa

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