The best basketball league in the world starts the new season on Tuesday. Flashscore presents the most important questions answered by the SID before the start of the NBA 2024/25.
How “German” are we the season?
From a German perspective, it could at least be the most interesting season of the post-Nowitzki era – with a real DBB branch: For the first time, three German professionals are playing on the same team; in addition to the world champions Franz and Moritz Wagner, there is also the newcomer Tristan, who was drafted in 18th position Silva is now under contract with the Orlando Magic.
Orlando is one of the play-off candidates, as is Daniel Theis with his new team New Orleans Pelicans. Isaiah Hartenstein moved from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he will receive $87 million for three years and is one of the title contenders with his new team – although the center will initially be out for weeks with a broken hand. Maxi Kleber with the Dallas Mavericks and newcomer Ariel Hukporti with the Knicks (if he makes it into the squad) also want or should play for the NBA crown. The Brooklyn Nets with world champion captain Dennis Schröder will be one of the worst teams in the league.
NBA 2024/25 favorites: Who will take the title?
First and foremost is the very deep defending champion Boston Celtics with their stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In the East, the rebuilt New York Knicks are particularly strong. In the West, last year’s runner-up Dallas Mavericks and the young, extremely promising Oklahoma City Thunder team are among the final contenders.
The Denver Nuggets have the best player in the world in the Serbian Nikola Jokic in their ranks, but behind that they lack depth. Two of the dominant teams of the past decade(s) no longer have anything to do with the title fight: the Golden State Warriors around Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers under LeBron James are searching for meaning.
Most valuable player of the season will be…
… again no professional born in North America if the series holds: Most recently, the MVP award went to a star who was born in Europe or Africa six times in a row – that had only happened twice since the first award in 1956 (Hakeem Olajuwon /1994 and Dirk Nowitzki/2007) is the case.
After Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, 2020), Nikola Jokic (2021, 2022 and 2024) and Joel Embiid (2023), who is now eligible to play internationally for the USA, Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks could be ready this time. North America has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top star, in the draw – he is Canadian after all. Oh yes: prodigy Victor Wembanyama is entering his second year of training – the French phenomenon is not yet interested in winning big titles, personally like with the San Antonio Spurs.
What about LeBron? And with Bronny?
The story could have been made up by Hollywood: LeBron James, at least the greatest basketball player since Michael Jordan, turns 40 in December, is entering his 22nd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers and could play it on a team with his son Bronny.
Hearty! But, and the experts, with the exception of father James, agree on this: the junior lacks any NBA format. It’s quite possible that Bronny will be called up to the Lakers squad at the start of the season – but that’s the end of the story.
What mode is used to play?
The 30 teams – 15 each in the Eastern and Western Conferences – will each play 82 regular season games until April 13th. The top six teams in the East and West then move directly into the play-offs, and the teams in seventh to tenth place each determine two further play-off participants in a play-in tournament. The future champion must win four knockout rounds based on the best of seven mode. The final series begins on June 5th. During the course of the season, the “in-season tournament” for the NBA Cup will be held for the second time.
Who broadcasts the NBA live on TV?
ProSieben and ProSieben MAXX show at least 50 regular season games on free TV. The streaming service DAZN broadcasts up to seven games per week in the main round.
