This is a list of teams I do not think will win the NBA championship in 2024-25.
Chicago Bulls — Josh Giddey plays like he bets on the Bulls to lose every game and by a lot.
Utah Jazz — the other night Utah Jazz forward John Collins was in the lane for three or four or five seconds but the referees didn’t whistle him for a three-second infraction, letting Collins dunk instead. They probably felt sorry for John after whistling him for a five-second inbound infraction the last time Utah had the ball.
Atlanta Hawks — lost to the Wizards, twice.
Washington Wizards — 2-9 and last place in every stat except beating the Hawks, they are No. 1 at that.
Toronto Raptors — R.J. Barrett to Jakob Poeltl is the best play in the NBA but nobody off the Raptor bench is good enough for the NBA, not even close.
New Orleans Pelicans — that’s a lot of injuries but before we start, sports are not what voodoo does. Voodoo’s goals, at least the ones I’m familiar with, are presumably a bit beyond “backcourt depth.”
No champions here but this is no statement on the Finals viability of each team, especially the groups from the East, like the Celtics won’t choke. The last time the Celtics succeeded in a title defense, humans hadn’t walked on the moon.
What about the teams actually trying?
Dallas, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Milwaukee. Will windows shut?