No NBA team has won the title repeatedly since Golden State won in 2017 and 2018, and no American-born player has won MVP since James Harden in 2018.
Will that change this season? Boston is in a great position to repeat with a returning core led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
MVP is another story. Tatum and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards are currently the U.S. players in the best position to compete for the award, but Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. , Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous, and other championship contenders were still born outside the United States. -Alexander.
But that’s why the game is played. Who will make it to the NBA Finals? Who will win the title? MVP? Rookie of the Year? Sixth Man of the Year? Coach of the Year? Most Improved? Clutch Player?
Analysis: Klay Thompson among 5 NBA free agent acquisitions that could lead team to title win
Details: Celtics likely to win NBA title again. Power rankings and winning odds for each team
There is no universal consensus. However, all but one expert on this committee picked Boston to win the East and return to the Finals, and all but one expert picked San Antonio’s Victor Wembaneyama for Best Defensive Player of the Year. I expected them to acquire players.
USA TODAY Sports staffers Jeff Gilgit, Scooby Axon, Lorenzo Reyes, Heather Tucker and USA TODAY Network NBA writer Damechael Cole of Commercial Appeal in Memphis. Dustin Dopilak of the Indianapolis Star. Jim Ouchalski of the Milwaukee Journal. predicts Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
NBA 2024-25 season predictions
2024-25 Eastern Conference Finals
Jeff Gilgit: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Scooby Axone: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Lorenzo Reyes: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Damechael Cole: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Dustin Dopilak: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Jim Owczarski: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
2024-25 Western Conference Finals
Jeff Gilgit: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
Scooby Axone: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Lorenzo Reyes: Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Damechael Cole: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
Dustin Dopilak: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
Jim Owcharski: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
Duane Rankin: Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Heather Tucker: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
2024-25 NBA Finals
Jeff Gilgit: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Scooby Axone: Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Lorenzo Reyes: New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
Damechael Cole: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Dustin Dopilak: Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
Jim Owcharski: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns
2024-25 NBA Champion
Jeff Gilgit: Boston Celtics
Scooby Axon: Boston Celtics
Lorenzo Reyes: Denver Nuggets
Damechael Cole: Oklahoma City Thunder
Dustin Dopilak: Boston Celtics
Jim Owcharski: Oklahoma City Thunder
Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics
Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics
2024-25 NBA MVP
Jeff Gilgit: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Scooby Axone: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Lorenzo Reyes: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Damechael Cole: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dustin Dopilak: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jim Ouchuski: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Duane Rankin: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Heather Tucker: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year
Jeff Gilgit: Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards
Scooby Axson: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Lorenzo Reyes: Reed Shepard, Houston Rockets
Damechael Cole: Zach Eady, Memphis Grizzlies
Dustin Dopilak: Zach Eady, Memphis Grizzlies
Jim Ouchuski: Zach Eady, Memphis Grizzlies
Duane Rankin: Zach Eady, Memphis Grizzlies
Heather Tucker: Zach Eady, Memphis Grizzlies
2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Jeff Gilgit: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Scooby Axon: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Lorenzo Reyes: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Damechael Cole: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Dustin Dopilak: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Jim Owczarski: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Duane Rankin: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Heather Tucker: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
Jeff Gilgit: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Scooby Axone: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Lorenzo Reyes: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Damechael Cole: Benedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Dustin Dopilak: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Jim Ouchuski: Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Duane Rankin: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Heather Tucker: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
2024-25 NBA Player of the Year Award
Jeff Gilgit: Jaylen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Scooby Axon: Jaylen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Lorenzo Reyes: Victor Wembaneyama, San Antonio Spurs
Damechael Cole: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Dustin Dopilak: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Jim Ouchuski: Jaylen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Duane Rankin: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Heather Tucker: Jaylen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year
Jeff Gilgit: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Scooby Axone: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Lorenzo Reyes: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Damechael Cole: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dustin Dopilak: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Jim Ouchowski: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Duane Rankin: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Heather Tucker: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Award
Jeff Gilgit: Joe Mazzula, Boston Celtics
Scooby Axone: Im Udoka, Houston Rockets
Lorenzo Reyes: Im Udoka, Houston Rockets
Damechael Cole: Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
Dustin Dopilak: Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies
Jim Owcharski: Jamal Mosley, Orlando Magic
Duane Rankin: Joe Mazzula, Boston Celtics
Heather Tucker: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
