)
Focus currently centres on the NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs aiming to make history by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, but attention will soon shift to the NBA, where the Boston Celtics, fresh off an 18th title and led by stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, are favored to defend their championship amidst challenges from teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers.
Over in America, attention is firmly on the gridiron at present. The 2024 NFL season has just gotten underway and all attention is on Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs as they attempt to make history by becoming the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls. However, in aw matter of months, attention will turn back to the court and specifically, the NBA.
Plenty of headlines have been made during the close season, none more so than arguably the greatest player that's ever lived, LeBron James. His Los Angeles Lakers made history in the summer when they selected Bronny James - son of the aforementioned LeBron - in the second round of the draft, making the duo the first father-son teammates in history.
https://x.com/BovadaOfficial/status/1812891275621724484
Weeks later, the 39-year-old teamed up with the likes of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant to help the United States to an Olympic gold medal after screaming past firstly Serbia and then France in the final.
Now, however, attention turns back to domestic matters, and the new campaign isn't too far away from getting underway. But who are the favorites to claim the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy this term? Let's find out.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics enter the 2024/25 season as the +350 frontrunners with websites offering online NBA bets after claiming a record-breaking 18th title last season. The Beantown outfit was head and shoulders above the rest of their competition last season, finishing the regular season with 64 wins, 14 clear of any of their Eastern Conference rivals and seven clear of their closest competitors out West. From there, they managed to dominate in the postseason as well, reaching the Finals at a canter before handily dispatching Luka Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks by four games to one.
Now, the Celtics are out to defend their crown and establish their dynasty days of yesteryear. Their formidable lineup boasts stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who provide a powerful one-two punch on both ends of the floor, even if they were unable to get any game time for the Stars and Stripes in Paris this summer. However, the Celtics' path to another championship is not without challenges.
The pressure of repeating success and the target on their back from other contenders could test their mental fortitude. Additionally, they must remain vigilant against injuries, which could disrupt their championship aspirations. But with that being said, they have arguably been the best team in the league for the past two years, winning the championship in the latter of them, and they will be aiming to make it two on the spin next season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have arrived out of nowhere to become perhaps the most impressive team in a new look World Conference. They topped the standings last season with 57 wins and are now the +650 second favorites to claim a first Larry O'Brien in the city of Oklahoma, with their only triumph coming way back in 1978 as the Seattle Supersonics.
Their youthful roster is led by the dynamic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has shown remarkable growth in recent years, finishing second overall in terms of points last season behind the mercurial Doncic. The addition of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso further bolsters their lineup, providing depth and defensive prowess., while the team's plethora of future draft picks could make them the force to be reckoned with in years to come.
The Thunder's primary strength lies in their ability to play a fast-paced game and exploit mismatches. Their young core, including Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, has the potential to upset older, more established teams. However, their inexperience in high-stakes playoff scenarios remains a significant hurdle, as demonstrated by their second-round exit at the hands of the Nuggets last term, despite heading into the postseason as the Western Conference's top seed.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have undergone significant changes in recent years, but they flattered to deceive somewhat last term as they finished down in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They were duly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks, but the bookies still make them contenders for glory next season, making them the +850 third favorites for the championship.
Their recent renaissance was triggered by tempting Paul George to the City of Brotherly Love in a move aimed at complementing the talents of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, creating a formidable trio capable of challenging any defense.
The aforementioned Embiid somewhat controversially claimed the MVP award at the culmination of the 2022/23 season, and he is arguably the jewel in the Sixers' crown. Now, they will have to focus on maximizing the synergy between their star players by balancing offensive firepower with defensive resilience.
The key to the 76ers' success will be maintaining consistency and avoiding the pitfalls of previous playoff exits. While their roster boasts talent, the need for a cohesive strategy and mental toughness in crunch situations cannot be overstated. If Doc Rivers can harness the potential of his revamped lineup, they could pose a serious threat to the Celtics' reign.
Meanwhile, Iman Asante Shumpert is an American who previously played professional basketball.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)