# 2024/2025 NBA Regular Season Thread

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** basketball-nba\
**Created:** [October 23, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099 "2024-10-23T15:27:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/41 "2025-01-01T15:58:43Z")

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[Cavaliers showing why they are first in the league.](https://streamable.com/a6pr5z)

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**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/42 "2025-01-08T06:34:29Z")

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Amazing end to Utah-Atlanta…after Trae Young makes two free throws to put the Hawks up 3, then Utah hit a well defended 3 to tie it up with 2 seconds left. Young takes the inbound and hits the 60 footer at the buzzer for the win.

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**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/43 "2025-01-08T06:51:25Z")

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My All-Stars

Giannis  
Butler – tough call over Tatum, but fuck Pat Riley  
KAT  
Brunson  
Donovan Mitchell-- could be LaMelo or Lillard, but the Cavs should be represented. Could also plausibly be his backcourt mate Garland.

AD – would lowkey like to put Sabonis here but can’t justify it  
Wemby  
Jokic  
SGA  
Doncic – sorry, Steph ☹

First week’s vote has Giannis, Tatum, KAT, LaMelo, and Mitchell vs. Jokic, Durant, LBJ, SGA and Doncic. Can’t really argue with people wanting to see Durant and LBJ, but I think my picks are having better seasons.

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**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/44 "2025-01-09T13:59:50Z")

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Looks like Cleveland wins the likely finals preview against OKC.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/45 "2025-01-11T03:20:26Z")

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Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and **28** rebounds for the Kings in their win over the Celtics tonight.

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**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/46 "2025-01-11T13:25:10Z")

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Ugh, I still can’t believe we traded him and Victor Oladipo for freaking Serge Ibaka.

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**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/47 "2025-01-14T14:47:46Z")

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[Anthony Edwards with the pretty circus shot.](https://streamable.com/qnjcbb)

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/48 "2025-01-14T15:27:45Z")

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Good thing he’s young and can absorb that sort of punishment.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/49 "2025-01-20T22:32:25Z")

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The Wolves led almost the entire game with Memphis today, then blew it in the final few minutes.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/50 "2025-01-24T02:31:08Z")

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The 2025 NBA All-Star Starters were named today.

**Eastern Conference**

Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks  
Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics  
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, New York Knicks  
Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland Cavaliers  
Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks

**Western Conference**

LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers  
Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns  
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets  
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors  
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

Good group.

All-Star Game takes place Sunday, February 16 from the Chase Center in San Francisco.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/51 "2025-01-28T23:06:31Z")

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The Golden State Warriors announced that they will retire the #9 jersey of former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala on February 23.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/52 "2025-01-30T23:57:56Z")

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> [@ekedolphin](#):
>
> The 2025 NBA All-Star Starters were named today.
> 
> **Eastern Conference**
> 
> Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks  
> Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics  
> Karl-Anthony Towns, C, New York Knicks  
> Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland Cavaliers  
> Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks
> 
> **Western Conference**
> 
> LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers  
> Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns  
> Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets  
> Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors  
> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

And here are the reserves, announced today.

**Eastern Conference**

Darius Garland, G, Cleveland Cavaliers  
Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons  
Damian Lillard, G, Milwaukee Bucks  
Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat  
Jaylen Brown, F, Boston Celtics  
Evan Mobley, F, Cleveland Cavaliers  
Pascal Siakam, F, Indiana Pacers

**Western Conference**

Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves  
James Harden, G, Houston Rockets  
Victor Wembanyama, F, San Antonio Spurs  
Jalen Williams, F, Oklahoma City Thunder  
Alperen Sengun, F, Houston Rockets  
Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Memphis Grizzlies  
Anthony Davis, F, Los Angeles Lakers

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/53 "2025-02-02T05:37:04Z")

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Holy shit.

The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Mavericks for Luka Doncic.

> **[Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić in one of the most shocking deals...](https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-one-of-the-most-shocking-deals-in-nba-history-051920660.html)**
>
> Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić?!

I did NOT see that coming.

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**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/54 "2025-02-02T09:11:21Z")

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> [@ekedolphin](#):
>
> I did NOT see that coming.

And here I was thinking Jerry Jones was the biggest idiot GM in Dallas.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/55 "2025-02-02T13:47:46Z")

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I guess the Mavericks got tired of all that winning?

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/56 "2025-02-02T14:25:24Z")

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Is this the biggest trade shock in NBA history?

I can’t think of its equal,especially at point of impact.

The Pistons gained Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace is a big trade that directly won them a championship not long after.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/57 "2025-02-02T15:59:14Z")

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Seems like another attempt by LA to buy a championship. All those egos in one spot, though. . .

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**Author:** ![Steve\_McQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/58 "2025-02-02T17:21:01Z")

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This is definitely a shocking development, but I don’t think it’s as crazy as it seems at first glance. I live in the Dallas area so I’ve been reading about Luka in the paper since he first got here. He’s always been indifferent to conditioning and to defense. Maybe because he was such a phenom on offense, he never had to work as hard. Maybe he’s prone to injury so he tries not to stress his body in conditioning exercises. No matter the reason, it’s a warning sign.

According to the ESPN article about the trade, Luka was eligible for a supermax deal this summer - $345 million over five years. If he stayed in Dallas, he was unlikely to change his conditioning habits so when age starts to catch up with him he might fall fast. I think Dallas doesn’t want to get caught in a situation like New Orleans - a star player who’s too good to let walk, but can’t stay on the court.

In the short term, LA wins the trade - although they’re not going to be in the finals; their defense just got a whole lot worse. Maybe Luka takes this as a personal affront and changes his attitude towards conditioning and makes the Mavericks looks stupid for the next 10 years. Or maybe the superior LA nightlife keeps him indifferent to conditioning and the Mavericks look prescient. It doesn’t seem like a crazy gamble to me.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/59 "2025-02-02T18:09:45Z")

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> [@Steve\_McQwark](#):
>
> This is definitely a shocking development, but I don’t think it’s as crazy as it seems at first glance. I live in the Dallas area so I’ve been reading about Luka in the paper since he first got here. He’s always been indifferent to conditioning and to defense.

The thing is… even with those drawbacks he was a top three player in the league. He is also TWENTY FIVE years old. Anthony Davis right now is EXACTLY the player you are afraid Luka might become. He is injury prone, not good enough to carry a team like Luka could and already 31 years old. Dallas made the finals last year, over significantly better teams, because having a player like Luka is a wildcard that can carry you even when the other team is better. AD with Kyrie are not going to be good enough to beat Boston or Cleveland or OKC… hell or even the Lakers at this point. Only a player like Luka going insane can carry an inferior team. You don’t trade players like this.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-2025-nba-regular-season-thread/1009099/60 "2025-02-02T20:19:17Z")

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Maybe Dallas will take a flyer on Butler? He’d play his ass off just to stick it to Pat Riley.  
He and Irving and Davis along with the other Dallas players would be a solid combo. Butler and Davis are both top defensive players (unlike Doncic) along with scoring. Irving can show up too. Butler’s a bit of a cancer long term but hey, “win now”.

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