As the 2024-25 NBA season heats up, students across BPHS are buzzing with excitement and anticipation, eager to see how their teams stack up against the competition. Thirty franchises each bring their own stories, legacies, and aspirations to the court, where only one NBA champion can exist. The recurring question on every basketball fan’s mind is, who is the best? When asked, BPHS narrowed it down to this.
30. Washington Wizards (6-28)
Washington has shown glimpses of potential with strong performances, but consistency has been an issue. Defensively, they have struggled, leading to high-scoring games for opponents. Offensively, the team has displayed creativity but also faced challenges in execution and shot selection. With the current depleted roster Washington currently has, a team rebuild in the upcoming seasons may be their best option.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (7-30)
New Orleans had an intriguing 2024-25 NBA season marked by both promise and challenges. The team aimed to build upon its recent success and solidify its position in the Western Conference playoff race, but now January of 2025, almost everything has fallen apart. A combination of injuries, zero communication, and a lack of motivation from starting power forward Zion Williamson has made it difficult for New Orleans to gain momentum.
28. Utah Jazz (9-26)
There isn’t much to say about Utah’s 2024-25 NBA season, because there isn’t much to talk about. While glimpses of greatness have been shown by starting power forward Lauri Markanen, most fans would agree he’s been dragging a lackluster supporting cast throughout the season. With Utah’s tough schedule ahead, experts don’t expect much for them in the second half of the NBA season.
27. Toronto Raptors (8-27)
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Toronto have seemingly found themselves stuck in a transitional phase. The team has a talented roster with players like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, and Kelly Olynyk but none of them have made the all-star jump. A lack of consistency has also hurt the team’s ability to score. Based on what is known now, a finals appearance is not in the books for Toronto.
26. Charlotte Hornets (8-27)
Similar to Utah, Charlotte has found itself in a rough situation as their top star LaMelo Ball has truly shown out after being riddled with injuries in recent years, but the production from other members of the team has been mediocre at best. If it comes down to poor coaching or bad culture behind the scenes, Charlotte has not been able to produce since the days of Chris Paul in the mid-2000s. If Charlotte wants to make a serious playoff run things around going to have to turn around now, or the team may look into a team rebuild next season.
25. Portland Trail Blazers (12-23)
Ever since the 2023 departure of Damian Lillard, it hasn’t quite been the same in Portland. At times there has been potential shown in talents such as Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, but a lack of offense has hurt the team. The team has picked up big wins over top teams like Minnesota and Houston, but as of now it doesn’t look like a championship is in the future.
24. Brooklyn Nets (13-23)
During the 2020-21 NBA season, it looked like a championship was in the future for Brooklyn with their big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Five years later, a mix of bad coaching and poor decisions has cost the team almost everything. After recently acquiring D’Angelo Russel, surrounded by a young core, things look to be on the upside for Brooklyn. Things are now starting to look better for Brooklyn, the team must develop before a playoff run becomes likely.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (14-20)
Most fans wouldn’t argue when debating if Philadelphia is the most disappointing team this NBA season. With an all-star signing of Paul George during the 2024-25 NBA off-season many fans had high hopes. Now months later a mixture of injuries and lackluster performances have plagued the once hopeful franchise. With the breakout year of starting point guard Tyrese Maxey being the only redeeming factor of this year, it’s expected to be a rough year in Philadelphia.
22. Detroit Pistons (18-18)
Detroit is a team that on the surface doesn’t look too impressive, but comparing their record from the end of last season with only 14 wins, the team has made massive improvements. While a championship isn’t in the future for Detroit, the team led by Cade Cunningham is looking to make an impact in the second half of the NBA season.
21. Sacramento Kings (18-19)
Sacramento made a huge move in the 2024-25 NBA off-season by signing star small forward Demar DeRozan. The team has shown promise as they have picked up some dominant wins, but their roster depth has been holding them back from breaking out as a top-tier team in the NBA. Sacramento isn’t a bad team by any means but must build upon their bench before anything major is in their future.
20. Chicago Bulls (17-19)
Heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, Chicago had gained a lot of momentum. After gaining a star point guard in Josh Giddey and a fully recovered Lonzo Ball in the off-season, many fans had high hopes. Fast forward months later, and while the team hasn’t exactly disappointed, they haven’t met expectations either. With the team still having a shot at a championship, they’ll have to turn things around quickly if they want to win their first title since Michael Jordan.
19. Phoenix Suns (16-19)
At the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, many fans expected Phoenix to be a serious championship contender. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility either with star players Kevin Durant and Devin Booker entering the year fresh off a dominant Olympic victory, alongside their recent signing of Tyus Jones. Similar to Sacramento, what hurts Phoenix is a mix of injuries and a lack of roster depth. If Phoenix has championship aspirations it must strengthen its bench to make up for the absence of top stars.
18. Indiana Pacers (19-18)
Unlike previously mentioned teams, one thing that Indiana has prided itself on is the amount of talent it possesses. Talents like Benedict Matherin, TJ McConnell, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam all surrounding star point guard Tyrese Haliburton have made for a formidable team. The thing that has hurt Indiana this season has been having the hardest schedule in the entire league. Not too many teams would be able to withstand Miami, Orlando, and New York all in seven days. If healthy, expect a decent playoff run out of Indiana.
17. Golden State Warriors (18-18)
It has been a year of ups and downs in Golden State. The 7-time NBA champions came off a rough off-season with the loss of small forward Klay Thompson, but Golden State wasn’t going to let that stop them. Led by franchise legend Steph Curry and assisted by Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, and the newly acquired Dennis Schroder, the Warriors have plowed their way to a winning record. While at times the team has been impressive, a finals appearance is very unlikely.
16. San Antonio Spurs (18-18)
It’s safe to say that San Antonio had championship ambitions in the 2024-25 NBA off-season by signing star players Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul, and most fans would agree they’re certainly on their way. Having been guided by all-star center Victory Wembanyama, many fans are discussing them as serious contenders for the next NBA champions. Seeming that the team has now put everything together, expect an electric second half of the NBA season for San Antonio.
15. Los Angeles Clippers (20-16)
A surprising ranking to many on this list, but Los Angeles has been a formidable team in the 2024-25 NBA season. After the loss of Paul George in the off-season to Philadelphia, not much was expected from the team, but now months later, the veteran-filled team has had a solid season. Expected by many fans to make the playoffs as they are sixth in the Western Conference, the main issue for the teams is whether the aging roster will be able to hang come April.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (19-17)
Towards the end of last year, Minnesota was looking to be a top choice to be NBA champions, but ever since their conference finals loss to Dallas last year, it looks as if the team has taken a step back. Unlike what most though, Minnesota has not been a dominant top-five team this year. This issue certainly wasn’t helped by the departure of Karl Anthony-Towns. With all of their issues taken into account, Minnesota still stands out as a strong team in the 2024-25 NBA season.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (20-16)
It’s been an odd year for many fans of Los Angeles during the 2024-25 NBA season. They had a slow start with less-than-stellar performances from some of their top stars. Months later, the 17-time NBA champions have regained momentum with dominant performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Also, the discovery of a new star in the franchise for rookie Dalton Knecht accompanied all of that. With momentum on their side, a playoff run is definitely in the future for Los Angeles.
12. Miami Heat (18-17)
Unlike Los Angeles, Miami has fallen since their dominant start to the 2024-25 NBA season. This is due to the season-long battle between management and star small forward Jimmy Butler. This conflict has severely hurt the team’s success. What helps out Miami in this situation though, is the talented roster they’ve amassed over the years. With talent like Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love, and Duncan Robinson, expect Miami to make a run in the playoffs.
11. Atlanta Hawks (19-18)
Ever since October, Atlanta could be discussed as one of the most surprising in the 2024-25 NBA season. Flagged by star point guard Trae Young, the team has made strides in the Eastern Conference. With an eye towards the future with talents like Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson, expect serious playoff strides out of one of the NBA’s most pleasant surprises this year.
10. Dallas Mavericks (21-16)
A team that ranked lower than most would have expected towards the end of last year, Dallas has had a down year in terms of success for the franchise. This comes following a lackluster finals loss to Boston. Even though Dallas is in a decline, impressive numbers have still been put up with star players like Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson showing out. Even though a finals appearance may not be in the cards, expect Dallas to make a big impact in the second half of the NBA season.
9. Orlando Magic (22-16)
Following their breakout season last year, the ranking of Orlando shouldn’t be a surprise to many. After having a title drought since the inception of the franchise, many are discussing them as potential NBA champions. Currently placed fourth in the Eastern Conference, that dream could become a reality for the team led by stars such as Paul Banchero and Franz Wagner. At one point the team even secured a victory over Boston, the current reigning NBA champions. What many want to know is if Orlando can continue to ride this wave of momentum to their first championship.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (18-16)
A team that would have been ranked much lower a few months ago, Milwaukee has had one of the fastest team turnarounds in NBA history. Starting the season losing eight of their first ten games, many had already lost hope in the team. Now following monstrous numbers from star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and star point guard Damian Lillard showing signs of his prior self, Milwaukee has resolidified itself as a top contender for a championship. With all of this being accompanied by an in-season tournament victory, don’t be surprised if Milwaukee once again raises the Larry O’Brien trophy.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (24-13)
It has been a mixed bag for Memphis in the 2024-25 NBA season. While star players Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have shown out in big games, the team has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Talents such as Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, and 2024 ninth-overall draft pick Zach Edey have all sustained rough injuries this year. Even though hurdles have been in their way throughout, the team has still made an impact in the 2024-25 NBA season, and wouldn’t be a shock to many come April if they become NBA champions.
6. Houston Rockets (24-12)
In October, Houston’s roster wouldn’t be intimidating to many, but months later the team has become one of the league’s best successful stories to come out of the 2024-25 NBA season. Defensively, the team has shown out as one of the most formidable teams in the NBA. Piling wins on top of wins, the team has bulldozed their way to second in the Western Conference. So do not be surprised if Houston brings home their first championship since the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in the ’90s.
5. Denver Nuggets (20-15)
Similar to Dallas, it’s been a down year in Denver. With top stars such as Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray underperforming in recent months, the team has relied on star center Nikola Jokic to carry the franchise. In the process of putting up career numbers, Jokic has dominated anyone in his path in the NBA, bringing the team up to fourth in the Western Conference. What many want to know is if other top stars of the team will be able to regain momentum, or if the team will collapse come playoffs.
4. New York Knicks (24-13)
After securing Karl Anthony-Towns during the 2024-25 NBA off-season, many were concerned that he wouldn’t be a good fit with New York. Now at the start of the new year, it’s safe to say their doubters have been proved wrong. Towns accompanied by the team’s top star Jalen Brunson, have run through every team in their path this NBA season to gain the third in the Eastern Conference. With hopes high in New York, don’t be surprised if this new duo brings a championship home to the “Big Apple.”
3. Boston Celtics (27-10)
Many would expect the defending champions to be higher on this, and while they have had a dominant season thus far, the reality is the team has cooled off since their finals victory. While top stars such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have over-achieved this year, the team has still been on the receiving end of numerous upset victories to Philadelphia and Chicago. With everything taken into account, do not doubt if the defending champs find a way to go back-to-back in the 2024-25 NBA season.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-5)
Building upon what they started last year, Oklahoma City has been electric in the first half of the 2024-25 NBA season. A combination of an elite defense, and potentially the best bench in the entire league, has earned them first place in the Western Conference. With stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and Jaylin Williams don’t be surprised if they raise the legendary Larry O’Brien trophy.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-4)
To the surprise of no one, Cleveland ranks No. 1 over every other team in the 2024-25 NBA season. The team has excelled in all areas of the game including an elite offensive and dangerous defense. Unlike other teams, their dominance has lasted all season long as the team would go on to have the second-best start of a team ever, going (15-0). Their season has been highlighted by all-star performances from talent like Donovan Mitchel, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarett Allen. Expect big things out of this team, as they head into the second half of the 2024-25 NBA season.
