The 2024 NBA season has begun, and there have already been so many surprising and expected team scattered across the league a little over a month into the season.
The first two games of the season occurred on Oct. 22, with the Celtics beating the Knicks at home 109-132 and the Lakers handling the Timberwolves 110-103.
More NBA headlines followed, featuring the Phoenix Suns beating the Los Angeles Lakers in an overtime win, and Giannis Anteketompo dropping a whopping 59 points versus the Detroit Pistons in OT. In week four, Karl Anthony-Towns put on a show with 46 points, but his New York Knicks couldn’t pull off a win against the Chicago Bulls.
Jack Kushin, a seventh-grader on the Majestics, said he was looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I’m excited,” Jack said. “I got some season tickets and I love basketball, so I’m excited to watch some of the games.”
Sammy Zakaria, 12, on the Dream Team, responded similarly.
“I’m excited, you know, the season [is] starting up again.”
Star forward Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are currently favored to win the championship this year with the OKC Thunder coming up next, fueled by last year’s runner up in the MVP voting, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jack thought that the Boston Celtics had a good chance, along with the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets.
AJ Suthursanam, a seventh-grader on the Dream Team, also said the Celtics would win the coveted NBA Championship.
AJ said that the Celtics superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would propel them to their second straight championship.
However, Arnav Durai, a seventh-grader on the Majestics, had a completely different take.
“I don’t think the Celtics will repeat,” Arnav said. “It’ll either be the Warriors or the Thunder.”
Arnav said the Golden State Warriors’ depth would be their key to the Championship and the OKC Thunder’s chance would rely on their all-around stars and defense
Sammy Zakara had a different take as well. He thinks the Cleveland Cavaliers will go all the way due to their 13-0 start.
“They’re going for it,” Sammy said with a grin.
The Most Valuable Player award is currently favored to go to Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the second-best odds with Jayson Tatum at third. Students spoke about their predictions about the MVP winner.
“I think after Jayson Tatum not playing that much on Team USA, he’s going to bounce back and show … he’s the best in the league,” Jack said.
Arnav thinks that Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets would win the MVP. “He’s kinda carrying his team and putting unreal statlines,” he said.
As for The Rookie of the Year award, it’s calculated to go to Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies. AJ thinks Edey will win this award.
“He’s big, has good post moves and has good shooting skills,” AJ said.
Arnav also thinks Zach Edey would win.
“He’s surrounded by talent to make him better,” he said.
But Jack responded differently.
“It’s either going to be Alex Sarr or Reed Sheppard,” Jack said. He said Sarr’s defense and Sheppard’s shooting ability would be their key to winning Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, Sammy’s prediction was none of the rookies previously named.
“Jared McCain,” Sammy said. “Excellent point guard. He’s better than all the other rookies.”
Arnav said that the team/player to keep an eye for the 2024 season is Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I feel like it’s their comeback season,” Arnav said.
Jack thinks that both Stephon Castle and Rob Dillingham will be the players to keep an eye on this year.
“And Anthony Edwards, of course. Stud.”
All odds are from Fox Sports. Find more odds at https://www.foxsports.com/odds/nb
