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While all the hype in the offseason has been about how the Boston Celtics will actually start with a promising push to begin the season, it does seem that the Cleveland Cavaliers are bringing all the big guns with the way they are bringing the hype in the 2024-25 season with their success in the early games – tying the best start in franchise history so far. The Cavaliers are not the same team it was as they were in the Zydrunas Ilgauskas and LeBron James eras so far. The team hasn’t really seen some big strides over the years, but it seems that this is a start of a new era that many fans have been waiting for now quite some time now. But this is not the Donovan Mitchell era, and certainly not Jarrett Allen. This is the Kenny Atkinson era taking the reins and helping the Cavaliers go to a much deeper playoff run after spending the past few seasons on a disappointing note. So far, this has been a massive spectacle for the team and fans. Dawn of the Cavaliers Boston Celtics? New York Knicks? Milwaukee Bucks? Philadelphia 76ers? Not one of these teams are running the Eastern Conference right now, and that says a lot about how the Cleveland Cavaliers are starting to look like an exceptional team to watch this season considering that they are just one of the last two undefeated teams in the NBA right now as of the time of writing. For the first time in franchise history, the Cleveland Cavaliers have started 8-0, punctuated by that game-winner drilled by Donovan Mitchell in their marquee clash. However, it is worth noting that this is far from the big goal that many fans have been looking forward to, but it is indeed a step and a promising leap compared to their previous season. At this point, one can say that Cleveland is really poised for some impressive runs in this season, and this is why there are indeed high expectations for the team’s playoff run this time around. But this is still early, and the season is young, so it is just really fair to give them the credit they are due right now. Mitchell on the Rise Donovan Mitchell has been spectacular in his performances this season for the Cavaliers, having multiple 30-point games, and only one game under 20 points. He’s averaging 24.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field, including 40% from three. That is a promising note for his growth with the team. After spending five seasons with the Utah Jazz, Mitchell has found a different groove with the Cavaliers, and his first two seasons with the team were all screaming career-highs all over which says a lot about how he has ascended in his game this time around. So far, this season has also seen career-highs for Mitchell, all while also averaging his career-low in minutes per game, and that just proves how much he has grown over the years and still proves that he can actually come up with impressive strides. Who knows, maybe Mitchell will become a big name in the NBA as he looks forward to it while also bringing the Cavaliers to the stage of the NBA Finals for the first time since LeBron James – now that is a piece of historic feat that can bring him to the next level.

Paolo Banchero has been making impressive performances for the 2024-25 season, and is now showing himself to be a prime candidate for the MVP award this year. Three seasons in, Paolo Banchero has been the elite performer that many fans have been looking forward to this season with his elite scoring bursts to begin the season. The Orlando Magic are riding on his back for some impressive action, and it seems that he is also coming up with some rise on the MVP odds as well. Four games into the season Banchero has already notched a 50-point game of his own, bringing the uproar of his big game with the way he has sparked the first few fixtures of the season. If you are not impressed, Banchero has already broken through 100 points, thanks to his 50-point performance against the Indiana Pacers. At this point, the Magic can expect more from Banchero as he continues to put up impressive numbers in the early stretch of the season. With the best night of his career in the books, one can say that Banchero is on the pace for something bigger – the MVP award. That is something that isn’t impossible at this point in time. A Career Night to Remember Banchero led the Orlando Magic to pull off a 119-115 comeback win – and it was a game filled with impressive numbers as the 50-ball game proved to be more historic than many people can expect. For starters, Banchero tied the most points for a Magic player in a half at 37 points, and his 50 points would wind up as the fifth-highest scoring effort in Magic history. On top of that, the 2023 Kia Rookie of the Year and 2024 All-Star also became the second player in the history of the NBA to score 50 or more points, 10 or more rebounds and five or more assists in a game before turning 22. That says a lot about how his game has continuously evolved with the way the Magic has also become a promising contender in the season. “Man, I’m tired. I’m tired as hell,” Banchero said after the first 50-point effort in the NBA this season. “But it was a hell of a game. Felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it’s a good feeling when you’ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I’m glad today was.” Historic Night Brings Good Odds Banchero’s 50-point outing marks the seventh 50-plus-point night in the history of the Orlando Magic, and the first since Tracy McGrady’s 62 points in 2004 against the Wizards. Banchero joins legendary names in Magic history in that regard, such as McGrady (four times), Shaquille O’Neal, and Nick Anderson. Entering the night, Banchero’s previous career-high in points was 43, set last January against Sacramento. As of the time of writing, Banchero is also set at no. 10 in the overall 2024-25 MVP odds, with his numbers ranging from +3,000 to +5,000. While there are certainly bigger candidates ahead of him, one can expect that Banchero will keep building his case as the season goes on with the way his game is on the rise. Considering the fact that the Orlando Magic are also expected to make a deep playoff run this season, bettors should consider placing some fun wagers on him and the team. If you are keen to try it, make sure to get a grasp of your potential winnings by using GambleSpot’s Parlay and Odds Calculator to know your possible prize should your bet unfold.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continues to come up with an impressive start in the 2024-25 NBA season after the team clinched a 105-93 win against the San Antonio Spurs behind Lu Dort’s 20-point outing and a flashy night from Chet Holmgren as OKC stays perfect in the campaign. OKC was spectacular all-night long, and they didn’t really need a lot of impressive scoring from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win big – who just finished with 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds despite shooting 7-20 from the field, including 2-10 from three. It wasn’t a great game for him, and yet the Thunder cruised past the Spurs like nothing really went wrong. The Spurs grabbed an 8-2 lead in the early moments of the first quarter. The Thunder called time, and it was all their show afterward as the team never looked back, building a 19-point lead for most of the game thanks to a 13-point run that allowed them to keep ahead of the Spurs. A Game Night for Dort OKC’s big starters weren’t really on display. SGA had 18 points on a rough shooting night, and Jalen Williams also struggled with 12 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds while shooting 5-13 from the field. However, considering how stacked OKC’s squad is, it was Luguentz Dort who found the best of the game as the defensive guard drilled six threes, finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the game. Dort was a flamethrower for most of the game as he knocked down one rainbow arcing shot after another, missing only twice in his eight attempts. The Thunder would go on to finish with 17 made threes in 41 attempts. In addition to his shooting, Dort was also active on the defensive end, and he helped make life hard for San Antonio’s guards. San Antonio managed to cut the lead to just 82-75 in the fourth before OKC responded with a 9-2 run behind rookie Ajay Mitchell leading the way with quick five points while SGA rested on the bench. OKC never scored less than 20 points in all quarters – peaking at the second quarter when they went on to score 33 points to San Antonio’s 25. Chet vs Wemby As with any other Thunder-Spurs game, the hype has always been about the two big men who are expected to be intertwined in their careers. However, OKC’s swarming defense really hampered Victor Wembanyama – forcing him to commit four turnovers and make just one field goal for the whole night. The reigning Rookie of the Year finished the night with just 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks on 1-5 shooting, including 0-3 from three. If you are not shocked, that is the first time that Wembanyama has been held to single-digits this season, and the six points marks his career-low in points as well. On the other hand, ROTY runner-up Chet Holmgren was looking more confident and agile for most of the game, even attacking Wembanyama in most times that he had the ball. Holmgren had a stunning night with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. He also drilled all three of his shots from downtown and finished with 7-10 shooting from the field. He had a menacing presence on both ends of the floor, and it is clear that he outplayed Wembanyama right from the start with block on the latter’s dunk attempt that set the tone in the game.

At this point, it is really surprising that the Los Angeles Clippers are making some winning strides in the season, especially after Paul George and Russell Westbrook departed and Kawhi Leonard being declared out indefinitely due to his injuries. However, it does seem that a new big three is starting to make more noise for the team now than ever. While it is still early in the season, it is safe to say that the Clippers were not expected to thrive like this. A lot of critics were already saying that their first round pick for the next draft is going to be quite tasty for the Oklahoma City Thunder considering that they have the swap rights to the Clippers’ pick. However, the new trio of James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell are thriving at this point in time, and it cannot be denied that the Clippers are quite the squad that was expected to tank all the way this season – but look out – they are coming for the big contenders so far! Addition by Subtraction Nearly a month before the NBA action began, it does seem that Norman Powell had a promising yet prophetic vision of his season with the Clippers after Paul George left the team, saying that this isn’t really much of a big loss than most people would expect, considering how it actually gives everyone a chance to thrive at this point. “I saw it as addition by subtraction," Normal Powell told reporters Monday morning. "More guys getting opportunities, including myself…” To be fair, Powell isn’t wrong about his claim. The forward is seeing his best season in his time with the Clippers, averaging 24.7 points and 2.7 rebounds on 51.9% shooting in the first three games of the season. There’s also Ivica Zubac, who’s seeing the best of his career so far, averaging 22.7 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists with 59.2% shooting. At this point, it is hard to argue that the Clippers are contending, and it does seem that the team is really poised for a big chance to prove its critics wrong. This just says a lot about how the team has vastly improved to open up the season with a new perspective in their games now more than ever. Harden Back to His Houston Version Powell and Zubac aren’t the only players who are thriving right now. We are seeing the return of a familiar picture of James Harden in the Los Angeles Clippers. The star guard is currently averaging 25.0 points, 11.7 assists, and 8.3 rebounds – which resembles his big game back in Houston. His stats have also reached bigger heights for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Harden is leading the league in assists, and he is also showing that he can come up with more impressive performances night in and night out. If you are not impressed, he just had a 16-assist outing in their second game of the season where they won against the Denver Nuggets. This season is starting to be the start of a new dawn for the Los Angeles Clippers, and if they can keep this up, then fans can certainly expect the team to come up with some impressive presence on the big stage now more than ever. Who knows, maybe they can conjure a promising playoff run this time and make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in history.

The NBA’s opening week has been quite a blast, and there have been a lot of massive games and intense showdowns that have been fun to watch so far, making a lot of headways and showing room for some of the most promising showdowns so far. And that’s a big difference when you’ve got the Boston Celtics playing in front of their crowd as they seek to improve to 4-0 and come up with some impressive strides to continue their rapid run in the season. So far, a showdown with the Bucks is something to look out for, and it cannot be denied that this is quite a game to bet on for many fans. As of the time of writing, the Celtics are expected to win with odds of -1.5, with the over/under for the matchup set at 121.5 points. At this point, one can expect that the clash will be a blazing one to watch with stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard coming in on the mix to headline the game. A Preview of Two Teams The Bucks haven’t really seen much success to begin the season after starting out 1-2. They recently suffered a heavy and disappointing loss to the Brooklyn Nets – yes, a rebuilding team. They allowed Cam Thomas to score 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Dennis Schroder had 29 points and 6 assists. Sure, Giannis Antetokounmpo had an amazing statline of 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Damian Lillard had 21 points – but it was not enough to win. The Bucks shot 10 of 33 from deep, and they had a total of 18 turnovers in the whole game. That was a depressing look for a team that is expected to be a championship contender considering how stacked the team is to begin with. On the other hand, the Celtics have been riding on an impressive 3-0 start to the season, one of the only four teams to do so, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Boston recently survived an early upset in their games when they managed to pull off a comeback win against the Detroit Pistons, arguably the worst team in the league with a 124-118 win. By the Numbers In the last 10 games, the Celtics have managed to win a total of six, including three of the last five. The Bucks won the most recent matchup back on April 9th, but it is worth noting that it was already a game in the closing days of the 2023-24 season – with the Celtics and the Bucks being secured for the Playoffs at that time. So far, the Celtics have managed to drop an average of 126 points in three games. That includes 24.3 assists, 42.0 rebounds, 7.7 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game – being only better than the Oklahoma City Thunder’s statlines for the first three games by just a few numbers. On the other hand, the Bucks have an average of 116.0 points per game, but it is worth noting that the team has dropped its defensive rating to 23rd overall, and their 35.5% shooting from three isn’t actually the good insight that is expected from a team that has been deemed to be one of the most impressive contenders in the game, Make sure to look out for the fiery games of the NBA season and don’t miss out on the blazing action. Use the GambleSpot Parlay and Odds Calculator to find out your potential winnings in the games today!

Chet Holmgren brought the storm in Denver as he helped the Thunder roll past the Nuggets with a 102-87 victory as the big man scored 25 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals on 11/18 shooting. The Thunder opened the season with a bang against their Western Conference and Northwest Division rivals to prove that they are ready for serious contention. OKC had full control of the game and was already ahead to begin the game. Neither team shot well from deep, shooting a combined 15/75 from downtown, with both teams under 25% shooting. Still, the Thunder were really scrappy from start to finish, and Holmgren’s presence down low on both ends really proved to be an x-factor in the victory. Holmgren’s superior performance sends a strong message to all his critics in the offseason, saying that the big man isn’t really ready to roll with the big boys due to his lack of size and strength on the post. Now it seems that he is proving everyone wrong this season, and this opening performance shows a lot of point on that end so far. Delivering on Both Ends of the Floor OKC was expected to be quite shorthanded on the glass end with Isaiah Hartenstein expected to be out for almost a month due to a minor hand injury. However, Holmgren shored up the rebounding end and proved to able to hold his ground when needed. So far, Holmgren proved that he can now run the floor with authority – something that he didn’t have in the previous season and needed some serious work. However, in the third quarter, his presence was seriously felt on the floor. He defended Nikola Jokic down low, and despite the reigning MVP’s strength on the post, Holmgren managed to find the right time to block the shot. OKC would go on to run the floor on a 3-on-3 break, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found a cutting Holmgren – who slammed the door home with a massive dunk to cap off the possession. Chet’s 14 rebounds was a tie for his career-high, and his presence on both ends of the floor proved to be pivotal in the Thunder’s first win of the season, showing how much they’ve grown to begin the campaign in just a short period of time. Big Takeaways in the Game SGA was a promising performer as always, finishing with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Aaron Wiggins finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench, while Jalen Williams scored 12. It was a massive win for OKC, whose offseason additions have made them a massive favorite to win in the NBA Finals. Jokic finished with a triple-double of 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds for Denver – the only silver lining in this tough loss. The Nuggets shot 7 for 39 from three and didn’t really have an answer to OKC’s stacked bench, who outscored its Denver counterpart at 25-16. Russell Westbrook, who was added by the Nuggets to put up some support on their offense, only had six points on 2/10 shooting. It was a grim night for Denver, who infamously lost their chance to the Western Conference last season after blowing a 3-2 series lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves and losing Game 7 at home. OKC, who opened the season as the youngest roster in the league at the age of 24 years, will now continue the second leg of their road trip in a showdown against the Chicago Bulls, playing against former Thunder guard Josh Giddey for the first time.

After all the criticism he’s received in the NBA Finals, the Olympics, and even the preseason, it seems that Jayson Tatum has arrived as a man on a mission to come up with a revenge tour in the 2024-25 season. The Celtics star just hammered the Knicks as they capped off their first game of the campaign. Jayson Tatum dropped 37 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds in what can be seen as a perfect game from him. This was the Tatum that many fans were looking for in the previous season, and it does seem that all of the criticism that he’s received are now turned into fuel for fire with the way he has played in their win today. So far, the Celtics are looking fine and dandy to take on the challenge of winning the NBA again, and no one can deny the fact that they are still heavy favorites to win the title again. With the way they played today, it seems that the odds should stay in their favor well and emerge as the biggest contenders in the league. A Massive Game for Tatum The Knicks have been hyped as one of the biggest picks to take on the Celtics and dethrone them from power in the Eastern Conference after making a flurry of changes in the offseason and capping it off with a trade that brought them Karl-Anthony Towns to the squad. So far, the Celtics just proved that they are not threatened – with Tatum calmly dropping 37 points in the blowout win. As the Celtics raised its 18th championship banner, it seems that Tatum was all fired up to bring in the big game that was expected from him. The star forward shot 14-18 from the field and drilled eight of his 11 threes. At this point, it is hard to argue that this is the big level of play that many fans were waiting from him. Still, he has been efficient to begin the season, and that says a lot considering how much criticism he got back in the previous months due to his inconsistent performances and lack of fiery performances in the Celtics’ championship run. By the Numbers The Celtics dominated the game right off the tip-off, outscoring the Knicks 43-24 by the end of the first quarter. Boston would not look back after that, holding on to the big lead all the way to the finish, where the Celtics pulled away with a 132-109 victory, a wire-to-wire finish that was expected. Boston looked sharp in its shooting, drilling a season-high 29 threes while still putting up 47.5% shooting from downtown, and that says a lot about how they are starting to be a team to look out for at this point in time. Boston also flexed its size, even without Kristaps Porzingis, after outmuscling the Knicks in the boards at 40-34. Ball movement was also present well in the game, with Boston dishing out 33 assists. Defense was phenomenal from the defending champs. They had 6 steals off 11 turnovers, while limiting their own number to just three. It was a strong showing for the Celtics at this point, and what better time to deliver that impressive win than to begin the season and send an intimidating message to the rest of the league with the season now on the wheels.

On the eve of the 2024-25 NBA season, the sports betting world was met with a piece of flash news, claiming that a huge score of major US sportsbooks has now opted to close out the market for unders betting in the prop bets in response to the viral Jontay Porter betting scandal, which was found out last January and March 2024. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN BET, and Caesars Sportsbook are among the major betting platforms in the United States to declare that they will now restrict prop betting for unders in combating manipulation for sports betting moving forward. This also aligns with the NBA’s move to ban players who are involved with sports betting – especially those who are constantly putting bets on themselves. Sure, the NBA has already been building bridges with a lot of sports betting platforms over the years, and it cannot be denied that many fans were actually expecting to see some bigger and closer strides in the betting world and the NBA itself, like sponsorships. However, it does seem that there will be a lot of paths that it could lead to before a promising partnership can happen with the Jontay Porter betting incident at hand. Major US Sportsbook Leading the Charge The NBA has had a lot of discussions with major sportsbooks in the United States this summer, and the restriction was the big result of that talk. So far, the sportsbooks have really opted to come up with some interesting feedback on that matter, showing that they are backing the NBA in hopes of providing a promising experience for bettors. "We are pleased that these actions have been taken to help protect the integrity of our games," an NBA spokesperson told ESPN. FanDuel also claimed that they are keen to work with their partners to ensure that all markets adhere to the league’s standards. DraftKings also claimed that they are in alignment with the NBA and hopes to engage more on the matter. Sportsbooks have confirmed that the new ruling is effective immediately, with bettors no longer allowed to place wagers on those who are on two-way or 10-day contracts to ensure that there will be manipulation in betting. Players who are on two-way contracts are for those who play in both the G League and the NBA, shifting as needed by teams. 10-day contracts, on the other hand, are for those who are vying for a bigger contract with a team. Aftermath of the Porter Scandal It can be remembered that Jontay Porter was a player for the Toronto Raptors in the 2023-24 NBA season and was betting on himself to finish under a certain set of points. That’s when sportsbooks would go on to flag suspicious betting patterns on Porter’s stats in games between January and March. At the time, Porter was signed with the Toronto Raptors. One big incident that can be remembered was when he exited their game back on January 26 against the Los Angeles Clippers after playing just a few minutes. In that season, Porter played a total of 25 games, averaging 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 38.5% from the field, including 33.3% from three and played 14.4 minutes per game. So far, Porter has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is set to be sentenced this December 18th in New York.

After an impressive run in the postseason, it seems that the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to make a run in the 2024-25 season with bigger expectations in their games. However, some hampering issues on their key players will prove to be crucial as they seek to begin the campaign with a massive bang in their games now more than ever. The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the expected teams to lead the Western Conference. It can be remembered that the team saw a massive breakout season last year after finishing as the first seed in the West with a 57-25 record, making a massive leap from their 9th seed finish in the 2022-23 season with a 40-42 record. It seems that the team is really seeking to come up with a massive run to the top of the game. OKC has come up with some interesting acquisitions in the offseason, bringing in the likes of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso to the squad. However, with the way some key players have suffered some minor injuries, it does seem that Oklahoma City’s chances to start the season strong will be hampered at this point. Hartenstein Out for a Month Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to miss at least a month of basketball action after he sustained a non-displaced fracture in his left hand when the Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets in their preseason game. The Thunder has already released a statement regarding his status, saying that the big man is set to be re-evaluated in at least five to six weeks. The Thunder added Hartenstein in the offseason as a free agent after the 7-foot, 250-pound big man proved to be a massive defensive impact player in his run with the New York Knicks last season, where he averaged 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. The Thunder hoped to address their rebounding and bulk issues, which proved to be pivotal in their semis exit last season. So far, Hartenstein is expected to share plenty of minutes with Chet Holmgren on the center spot and is even slated to take on the power forward slot that was filled previously by Jaylin Williams – who is also out with injury along with Kenrich Williams. Jalen Williams Set for Day-to-Day Another Williams who has been added to the injury list for the Oklahoma City Thunder is Jalen Williams, who limped out of their preseason finale against the Atlanta Hawks. The third-year guard landed awkwardly after finishing at the rim, which later revealed to be a sprained ankle. After a recent evaluation, Williams’ ankle sprain was not as severe as many fans expected, and he would go on to return to the team’s latest practice. Oklahoma City coach and 2024 Coach of the Year winner Mark Daigneault claimed that Williams is now listed as day-to-day, meaning that the guard can suit up for the game if needed. At this point, it is expected that Williams will be back to action sooner rather than later, which looks good for OKC’s chances of improving in their games this season now more than ever. OKC is expected to bring its game to begin the 2024-25 season with a game against the Denver Nuggets this October 24th, which will be broadcast nationally on TNT. However, it seems that the team will be entering the game shorthanded with key injuries to their players.

Load management just got started as early as the preseason with the Philadelphia 76ers opting to put Joel Embiid off the games before the 2024-25 NBA season begins as they hope to give him more time to rest and condition his left knee with the hopes of getting out more games for the team this time around. It can be remembered that Embiid sat out most of the 2023-24 season due to knee surgery and was held to just 39 games, starting out strong before going down in the middle of the game and later coming back in the final stretch of the season. Embiid would go on to play in the playoffs as well but the Sixers were ousted in the first round at the hands of the New York Knicks. The Sixers are hoping to avoid any potential injury with Embiid, who has been plagued with various injuries over his career. It is also a great move to consider right now with Paul George being removed from the second quarter of their preseason win against the Atlanta Hawks after suffering a hyperextended left knee. Embiid Managing Knee Condition Embiid has been always bothered by his knee issues over the years. The Cameroonian center has never played more than 68 games in a single season in his whole career. He did not travel with the team in their two road games in the preseason as the team came up with an individual treatment plan to support Embiid’s health and wellness this season. Last season, Embiid led the Sixers to a total of 31-8 record in his games played, which was clearly on the pace for 65 wins had he not sat out with surgery. The Sixers finished 16-27 in all of the other games played without Embiid, which was led by Tyrese Maxey at the time. Still, the Sixers would go on to reach the playoffs by the end of that season but were eliminated in six games. Embiid has missed a total of 204 games over the last eight seasons – even sitting out his first two years with foot injuries before finally making his debut in the NBA. That says a lot about the fragile condition that Embiid is in, deeming the knee management move to be a necessary one by the Sixers. MVP Season Loading Again? Embiid won the 2022-23 MVP award with his impressive games and was even set to win his second last season had it not been for his injuries. However, his return to form was met with a lot of success as many fans believe that Embiid still has that elite offensive charge in his game. Last season, Embiid averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 52.9% from the field. He would have been a prime candidate to win the MVP award last season had he totaled at least 65 games for him to be eligible for the said award. If any, the knee management move by the Sixers for Embiid just presents a way to be smart around the injuries. While the NBA has already implemented strict repercussions for stars missing out on games, it does seem that Philadelphia will need to come up with ways to ensure that Embiid will get the chance to play big games and impact their games while also getting the needed rest for his knee.

After breaking the NBA world with news of his retirement, the Chicago Bulls now intend to honor Derrick Rose with a special night this January 4, 2025 in celebration of his terrific career that was expected to reach bigger heights had it not been for his injuries. It seems that Rose will be getting that homecoming to Chicago after all. The January 4 schedule will be also a game against the New York Knicks, another team that Rose played for after his run with the Bulls. Coincidentally, Tom Thibodeau, who is currently the head coach for the Knicks, also coached Rose in his stints with Chicago, New York, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Celebrating Greatness in Chicago Chicago is honoring Rose for his success in the NBA as the youngest MVP ever, winning it in his third season – after a year where he won the Rookie of the Year award. Rose was selected first overall by the Bulls and was one of the beloved players in his hometown, and that even says a lot about how even owner Jerry Reinsdorf is proud to initiate this celebration. “Drafting Derrick in 2008 was a special moment, not just for the Bulls organization, but for Derrick, the kid from Chicago, realizing his dream of playing for his hometown team. As both a player and a person, Derrick represents the grit, resilience, and heart of this city,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said of Rose. Rose would go on to suffer injuries in the early years of his career, which proved to be pivotal in his later performances in the game as he was then unable to return to his electric and athletic form in the game moving forward. Rose would end his tenure with Chicago after eight years. Derrick Rose’s career has not been without its challenges. After suffering a devastating torn ACL in 2012, many feared his career might be over. However, Rose’s resilience became an inspiration to countless fans. His determination to rehabilitate and return to the court showcased his strong work ethic and mental fortitude. Forging a Storied Comeback Rose would then play for five other teams, including the New York Knicks with two stints (2016-17, 2021-2023), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18), Minnesota Timberwolves (2018-19), Detroit Pistons (2019-2021), and the Memphis Grizzlies (2023-24). A three-time All-Star, Rose was expected to be the next face of the league. His injuries would get in the way as it prevented him from being available in most games and limited his production, reducing the impact he had on his teams. “He’s one of the toughest and most determined athletes I’ve ever been around, constantly fighting through adversity that would have broken most,” Reinsdorf added. “Watching him grow from a Chicago Public League star to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history as a Bull has been nothing short of an honor. Every time Derrick stepped on the court, it felt like we had a chance to win, and his MVP season remains one of the proudest moments in this franchise’s storied history.” Rose did play for the United States’ National Basketball Team and won two gold medals back in 2010 and 2014. At 6 foot 3, Rose was really the big deal and could have been the next Bulls icon after Michael Jordan. Derrick Rose’s connection to Chicago runs deep, making him one of the most beloved figures in the city’s sports history. From his humble beginnings to his incredible rise in the NBA, Rose has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and local pride for fans in the Windy City.