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We’re now a month into a new NBA season and teams have start to establish themselves. With the NBA Cup coming to a close soon, many wonder how certain teams and players perform throughout the rest of the regular season. There’s also a bit of concern for some teams and organizations. Some good concerns, some not so good. Here are five topics I’m personally concerned about, a month into the 2024-25 season.
Zion Williamson
In his six seasons as a pro, Zion Williamson has only played 190 games in his professional career. Coming into the league as one of the biggest prospects ever, it’s hard to say that he’s lived up to his potential. He’s shown flashes, being a two time All Star, but it yet again on the sidelines with another injury this season. The New Orleans Pelicans have to start thinking about what direction they want to go with Williamson. Hopefully he can have a healthy return soon, or they can get a solid trade package. But ultimately, it’s terrible to see a talent of that caliber not get the chance to flourish and reach their full potential due to injuries.
The Los Angeles Lakers
New year, new coach, and it seems that the Los Angeles Lakers are facing the same issues. After starting the season strong, the Lakers have since fallen back to Earth. While it may be easy to point the finger at coaching, there hasn’t been much change within this current group outside of their draft picks. LeBron is getting older and nearing retirement. You have to start looking towards your team’s future, while also maximizing your window with the current group of talent. Anthony Davis had a great start to the season but has had his ups and downs. Their guard rotation could use some improvements as well.
They have to find a way to establish themselves as a serious team again. They have to find ways to win. Currently 13-11, it’s still early enough to where the Lakers can find a way to turn it around. But they have to play with some urgency and play up to their potential.
Jimmy Butler & The Miami Heat
Every other day, it seems as if we get the news that there’s a new destination for Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. There’s no secret there’s been a brewing beef between Butler and the organization for a while. The concern here is, what kind of direction does Miami go after Jimmy. The Heat could get a nice return for the All-Star wing, keeping them in position to become a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are All-Star players they can build around. It mainly depends on what they receive in return. Definitely an interesting situation to pay attention to at this point of the season.
Orlando Magic Injuries
Emerging as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic have shown they’re a serious team. But it couldn’t have been a worse time to have their two-star players out for extended periods of time due to injury. After having an insane start to the season, Paolo Banchero has been sidelined with an oblique injury, with hopes of returning in a few weeks. In his absence, Franz Wagner kept the music playing for the Magic, having some of the best performances of his young career.
Unfortunately, he recently suffered the same injury. While these aren’t season ending injuries for either, it definitely alters their placement in the conference at this current moment. There’s a lot of basketball left to be played, so the Magic should be fine for the most part. My biggest concern is just seeing how they look without their two stars. It’ll be a tough stretch for them, but it’s better to find that identity now rather than have to figure it out later.
Rockets as contenders?
Coming as a surprise to many across the league, Houston has become a problem for the association. This team has made their mark and have begun establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Currently 2nd in conference standings, the Rockets look to be an early choice to be a contender in the West.
This weekend they’ll be competing for the NBA Cup, so we’ll see how this team responds when the stakes increase. Led by budding stars Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, this young squad backs down from no challengers. The only concern one may have could be how long can they keep up this level of play? Only time can tell.
An avid sports fan and journalist who’s main focus is the lovely game of basketball. If I’m not covering the game, I’m either playing ball or watching it.
