2024 has come to an end, but the NBA season is just starting to pick up. The season has been a mix of both the expected and unexpected. The Cavaliers are the league’s best team, which not many would have predicted. In the Western Conference, the Thunder have been dominant, which many thought was likely, but the Rockets and Grizzlies being the next two teams behind them is a bit shocking. Unfortunately, injuries have contributed greatly to how things are playing out. As the new year starts, we are going to look at three bold NBA predictions for 2025.
Three Bold NBA Predictions For The Year 2025
The Warriors, Lakers, and Suns Will Miss the 2025 NBA Playoffs
The three greatest players of the most recent generation still got it. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant remain three of the best players in the league and have continued to defy the odds by dominating even while Father Time nips at their heels. The Curry, Durant, and LeBron James stats have barely taken a dip, but their teams are not pulling the weight behind them.
Right now, the Lakers and Warriors are both seeded for the Play-In Tournament, and the Suns are on the outside looking in as the 11th seed. So, the first bold NBA prediction is that all three teams will miss the playoffs in 2025. There is a new wave of talent in the NBA, and these three legends aren’t going to be a part of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will Win His First MVP Award
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been incredible so far this season. The Thunder are the best team in the West at 27-5, and he is averaging 31.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, six assists and 1.9 steals this year. His team record and stats are obviously MVP caliber, but saying he will win the MVP for the first time is still a bold prediction.
Right now, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both making pretty convincing MVP cases. Jokic is putting up historic numbers once again, ranking third in points, rebounds, and assists while averaging a 31-point- near triple-double. Despite the slow start from the Bucks, Giannis has now led them back all the way to the fifth seed in the East and is leading the league in scoring at 32.6 points per game. Gilgeous-Alexander will end up surpassing both of these players in 2025 and finally grab his first MVP.
The Boston Celtics Won’t Make the Eastern Conference Finals
The defending champions still look good. They are the two seed in the East with a record of 24-9. All signs point to them putting up a solid fight to defend their title. That being said, the Eastern Conference landscape is looking a bit more daunting. First of all, the Cavaliers have been incredible. They are the best team in the league and are currently on an eight-game winning streak. The Knicks are also on an eight-game winning streak and have a revamped roster since their last playoff run. The Magic and Bucks are also capable of making deep playoff runs. So, we predict that one of these teams will knock off the defending champs before they get a chance at repeating.
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