2024-2025 NBA predictions

We will start with the 2024-2205 champion and move to awards. I'll provide a little bit of reasoning behind the picks I make too. 

2024-2025 Finals Matchup 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics - 4-2 Celtics winning

I think the Thunder and Celtics will matchup in this years NBA championship. I understand these are all popular picks, but there is a reason they are popular picks. The Thunder boast some of the best rotational depth, however they will be without Isaiah Hartenstein for at least the first month and a half of the season, still this doesn't affect my pick. Adding Hartenstein and Alex Caruso in the offseason provides them with more depth and complimentary pieces next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. I think the Thunder can win up to 60 games this year and considering how challenging the Western Conference is that would be an incredible regular season.  The Celtics seem different than past champions. They had a dominant regular season and playoff run, but no one seems to care. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had their run-ins with USA basketball this summer and with the Eastern Conference having more contenders I think the Celtics are somehow overlooked. Joe Mazzulla proved to be an elite head coach throughout the past year and both Tatum and Brown are entering their primes, along with bringing back the entire roster from last year. I will take the Celtics to be the first back-to-back champions since the Warriors in 2017-2018 with them winning in 6 games against the Thunder. 

Most Valuable Player 

Jayson Tatum 

While I was saying  how I think the Thunder can win 60+ games in the Western Conference that would give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a leg up, but I think this is the year Tatum finally gets his. Obviously Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had better individual season last year than Tatum, but He's motivated and he's entering the prime of his career. He sorted out the issues he was having with his jump shot in the offseason with his trainer Drew Hanlen and I feel confident he will be at peak shape for this year. He also never misses games and has always played super hard during the regular season. I think he gets his first MVP this year. 

Defensive Player of the Year 

Victor Wembanyama 

This is an easy selection in my opinion. If you watched even a second of Wembanyama last year you understand he's already one of the best defensive players in the league. He lead the league in blocks + steals last season and nearly chased down Rudy Gobert for the award last year. Wembanyama is my pick for defensive player of the year for 2024-2025. 

Rookie of the Year

Reed Sheppard 

Sheppard was selected 3rd overall by the Houstan Rockets after a stellar freshman year at the University of Kentucky. Sheppard was the best shooter in class and has unbelievable IQ and poise. During the pre-draft process he was characterized as a smaller defender who gambles for steals, but he's proven throughout preseason he's capable of keeping guys in front. I think the Rockets will help Sheppard more than other teams' rookies given the talent around them. Sheppard's overall feel of the game is beyond advanced for a rookie. He's comfortable handling the basketball or playing off the ball. His main challenger will be Zach Edey, but I think Sheppard will find his way to win rookie of the year.  

Coach of the Year 

Ime Udoka 

I think Ime Udoka wins coach of the year for this upcoming year. This is partly because I think the Rockets will be a very good team this year. After missing the playoffs last year I think they can potentially earn a top 6 seed in the Western Conference. I understand how crazy that could sound, but I think Houstan is that good. 

Most Improved 

Cade Cunningham 

Cunningham was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft has been good, but not quite as good as many believed he could be. Cunningham has been injured the last couple of years and I think that is why many forget about him. He had a good season last year, but I think getting an offseason that isn't filled with rehab and building on the confidence of last year should see him make the jump many believe is in him. He's the ideal player to build around being a 6" 8 apex ballhandler that can make a bunch of plays all over the floor. The only reason I believe he has less of a chance than others is the Pistons are going to be terrible this year. 

6th Man of the Year

Malik Monk 

This award is tricky to predict considering their are certain limitations that players can only start a certain amount of games, but I'll make a selection. This leads me to Malik Monk. I think it will be interesting considering DeMar DeRozan and De'Aaron Fox will likely have staggered minutes meaning the ball could be out of Monk's hands more than last year, but overall I think it is Monk's to lose.