Nikola Jokic Shines in Career-Best Season
The 2024-25 NBA season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of standout performances catching the eyes of fans and analysts alike. At the forefront is Nikola Jokic, who’s enjoying what many are calling the best season of his career. His exceptional play has been a driving force for the Denver Nuggets, making them formidable contenders as we head into the heart of the season.
Noteworthy Performances Across the League
Norman Powell has been turning heads with his offensive prowess. Averaging 23 points with standout shooting splits of 50/48/83, his performance in late December sets a high bar. Powell’s remarkable 48% shooting from three-point range on a career-high eight attempts per game pushes historical boundaries, as no player has sustained such efficiency with this volume throughout an entire season. Reflecting on recent team changes, Powell remarked, "I saw it as addition by subtraction. ... More guys getting opportunities, including myself." This attitude underscores his eager embrace of the newfound scoring chances.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks’ De'Andre Hunter is also achieving new highs, shooting 45% from beyond the arc on six attempts per game, contributing to his average of 19.3 points. The Golden State Warriors, not to be outdone, acquired Dennis Schroder in a trade. Schroder has been boosting their offensive output with nearly 19 points per game and a true-shooting percentage close to 60%.
Emerging Stars and Strategic Adjustments
Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat is hitting career highs, with 24 points and 4.8 assists per game. Notably, Herro scores at a staggering efficiency of 128.3 points per 100 shot attempts, underscoring his growing impact on the court. Over in Cleveland, Caris LeVert’s transformation has caught the attention of many. After struggling in Brooklyn, LeVert has embraced a more efficient style of play, as highlighted by Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers coach: "I failed in Brooklyn, or we failed in Brooklyn trying to get him to change his shot profile... It's changing his value to our team." Today, LeVert’s 49% shooting from the three-point line and reduced midrange frequency have made the Cavs 13.9 points better per 100 possessions when he's on the floor.
In Denver, Christian Braun is proving to be a potent addition to the Nuggets’ starting lineup. Braun’s ability to score 15 points per game and sustain 57/40 shooting splits has resulted in the Nuggets outscoring opponents by over 27 points per 100 possessions during his minutes on the court.
Shooting Prowess and Team Dynamics
Andrew Wiggins adds to the discussion of sharpshooters this season, making 44% of his threes on over five attempts per game. Payton Pritchard and AJ Green also deserve shout-outs for their impressive statistics. Pritchard’s effective field goal percentage stands at 68.1%, coupled with over 16 points per game and 43.5% from deep on nine attempts. Green follows closely behind with a 71.3% effective field goal percentage and a significant number of three-point attempts.
The Milwaukee Bucks, showcasing strong form by winning 12 of their last 15 games, or 13 of 16 if you count the NBA Cup title game, are proving they have the depth and skill to challenge any team. As the season progresses, these individual performances and strategic changes only promise to make the league more thrilling. Basketball enthusiasts have every reason to stay glued to the action as the competition heats up.