Minnesota Timberwolves (Image via Getty)
As we’re a quarter of the way through the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the teams have all shown their potential through their performances. Although the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder are some of the best teams in the NBA, a few others have performed consistently well through the quarter. Several teams experienced coaching transitions as they did their best to adapt to strategic shifts through trial and error. After an eventful first quarter, let us take a look at five NBA teams we believe are best positioned to improve.
(Note: This list reflects the writer’s opinion and is not ranked in any way)
Philadelphia 76ers (Image via Getty)
They have struggled during the season with a brutal 3-14 start. Their star players like Joel Embiid suffered injuries and this turned out to be a massive blow to the team. The team’s internal instability also resulted in inconsistent play in this season. Amidst the challenges, Jared McCain, a rookie guard averaged 16.1 points per game on efficient shooting skills, providing a rare positive amid the team’s underwhelming performance. However, it was definitely a burden for McCain to carry the team in Joel Embiid’s absence this season.
Toronto Raptors (Image via Getty)
With a disappointing record of 7-18, the Toronto Raptors are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Although the contributions from young players like Grady Dick and Jakob Poelti are better than others, everyone except Ochai Agbaji is shooting below expectations from deep. The team is struggling to find stability under head coach Darko Rajaković. We feel that they must make significant improvements to achieve a turnaround in the second quarter.
Denver Nuggets (Image via NBA’s Offical X Account)
While the Denver Nuggets didn’t have a completely underwhelming performance, they have had their fair share of inconsistencies. Their record of 12-10 places them 7th in the Western Conference. The team relies heavily on Nikola Jokić, the MVP with an extraordinary 56-point game against the Washington Wizards. The team has an strong offensive front but what they need to focus on is their defense. This is where most of their problems lie.
New York Knicks (Image via Getty)
There’s no denying that the New York Knicks had a solid start to the season’s first quarter. They even placed fourth in the Eastern Conference. While their offense is top-notch, they fall behind significantly in defense and consistency. However, once Karl-Anthony Towns and the players around him improve, the Knicks will have a strong defense with an offense that has consistently been among the best in the NBA.
Also read: Top 30 most valuable NBA teams of 2024
New York Knicks (Image via Getty)
While their start to the season isn’t bad, it’s not necessarily great either. Their record of 12-11 places them in the middle of the Western Conference standings. Although they have gotten better with their defense, they still face some inconsistencies down the road. Anthony Edwards is the star player as always. Additionally, Rudy Gobert is anchoring the team defensively. The team is facing challenges despite its strong roster. Part of the reason could be their gruesome travel schedules, which definitely impact their stamina.
