Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets: Kings of the Season
Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, the Denver Nuggets have established themselves as a formidable force, largely due to the extraordinary performance of Nikola Jokic. Jokic, the two-time MVP, is experiencing what many analysts and fans are proclaiming to be the best season of his illustrious career. His consistent and versatile play on the court has anchored Denver's ambitions, marking them as strong contenders for the championship.
Norman Powell's Stellar Shooting
Another standout this season is Norman Powell, who has become a critical player, averaging 23 points per game with remarkable shooting efficiency. What sets Powell apart is his shooting accuracy, boasting a 50/48/83 shooting split and an impressive 48% success rate from beyond the arc on eight attempts per game. Reflecting on his increased role, Powell remarked, "I saw it as addition by subtraction. ... More guys getting opportunities, including myself." This attitude and performance have contributed significantly to his team's offensive prowess.
Rising Stars: Hunter, Schroder, and Herro
De'Andre Hunter and Dennis Schroder have both made significant impacts on their respective teams. Hunter is not only averaging 19.3 points per game but is also a reliable sharpshooter, hitting 45% of his three-point attempts with six attempts per game. Meanwhile, Schroder's move to the Golden State Warriors has proven beneficial as he continues to contribute nearly 19 points per game and showcases remarkable efficiency with a true-shooting percentage approaching 60%.
Tyler Herro, another major player this season, stands out with averages of 24 points and 4.8 assists per game. His staggering efficiency of 128.3 points per 100 shot attempts speaks volumes about his evolving game and his ability to influence the outcome of matches.
Caris LeVert's Evolution in Cleveland
Caris LeVert has transformed his game significantly since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, an adjustment that seems to have paid off. Kenny Atkinson, reflecting on LeVert’s prior stint, stated, "I failed in Brooklyn, or we failed in Brooklyn trying to get him to change his shot profile... It's changing his value to our team." LeVert has indeed altered his playing style, now shooting 49% from beyond the arc and making the Cavaliers 13.9 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, underscoring his renewed value.
Role Players Making an Impact
Christian Braun, part of the Nuggets' core, scores 15 points per game with a shooting split of 57/40. His impact is palpable as Denver outperforms opponents by over 27 points per 100 possessions when he's on the court, highlighting his crucial role in their lineup.
Andrew Wiggins and Payton Pritchard are other key contributors. Wiggins makes 44% of his three-point shots on more than five attempts per game, while Pritchard impresses with an effective field goal percentage of 68.1%, averaging over 16 points per game and shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nine attempts.
Another noteworthy performance comes from AJ Green, who achieves an effective field goal percentage of 71.3% with substantial three-point contributions, proving that efficiency is his forte.
Milwaukee Bucks' Strong Finish
The Milwaukee Bucks have cemented their status with a robust finish to the regular season, winning 12 of their last 15 games. Moreover, if the NBA Cup title game is included, the Bucks' form improves to 13 victories in their final 16 contests, demonstrating their formidable late-season momentum.
Overall, the 2024-25 NBA season has been nothing short of exciting, with individual talents stepping up and teams finding their stride. From Jokic's historic campaign to the exceptional performances of Powell, Herro, and LeVert, basketball aficionados have their eyes set on a thrilling finish to what has already been an unforgettable season.