Oct. 22 might just be an ordinary school day, but when I get home, it’s game time—tip-off night for the 2024-25 NBA season! Are the Celtics going back-to-back, or are you backing another team? Prepared to Google the rookie class (besides Bronny, of course) and hoping this is your year, Laker fans? As the clock ticks down to tip-off, Northwood students are making their NBA picks and predictions for the season.
The Howler: What’s your favorite team in the NBA?
Jacob Whang: My favorite team in the NBA is the Los Angeles Lakers cause I was born and raised in LA, so when I started playing basketball, I grew up to like the Lakers. But when I moved to Seattle, I started following their old basketball team, the Seattle Supersonics, and I also liked learning about them too.
Kailani Dieudonne: The Toronto Raptors are my favorite team because they’re the only NBA team in Canada, and their old-school jerseys are really cool.
Abhishek Dixit: My favorite NBA team is the Lakers because Lebron is the greatest player to ever play the game. I think his son Bronny on the Lakers makes the team even better, and he’s gonna be the next greatest player of all time.
Ananya Prakash: I like the Golden State Warriors because when I did play basketball I used to look up to Steph Curry for inspiration and watched a lot of their games growing up.
TH: Who’s your favorite player in the NBA?
JW: My favorite basketball player is Jalen Brunson on the New York Knicks. Even though I don’t like the Knicks, I like how he plays as a smaller guard yet is still a really good scorer.
KD: Recently, I liked Tre Mann on the Charlotte Hornets because of his retro-ish streetwear style, like his baggy jersey and shorts I’ve seen on social media.
AD: There’s not much to say other than Lebron is the greatest of all time, so he’s my favorite player. But I do think Jalen Brunson is going to surprise a lot of people this season, so he’s up there, too.
AP: I would say that Stephen Curry is my favorite player because when I first grew an interest for basketball I would always watch him and that grew a personal connection. Also, I used to like shooting hoops with my brother, trying to be just like Curry!
TH: Who is your pick to win it all this year?
JW: I ain’t gonna lie, I think either the Nuggets or the Celtics are going to win the chip. Both are really promising after the last two seasons!
KD: The Minnesota Timberwolves that won against last year’s defending champions are really tough with Anthony Edwards, and they have an even better team this year.
AD: I think the Oklahoma City Thunder are gonna win the championship because they’re a young team who have a bunch of great players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and new pickups Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso.
AP: I’m going to say the Warriors because, like, who knows what might happen! If not them, the Celtics will definitely win, seeing how strong they were last season.
TH: What are you looking forward most to this season?
JW: I’m looking forward to fantasy basketball and hoping I win that, and also just hoping the Lakers have a good season with Lebron and Bronny. Yes sir!
KD: I really like seeing the NBA players’ fits before the games start. It’s always super interesting and sometimes funny!
AD: Seeing how a dark horse team like the Knicks who have a big chance to win it all this year. Their one player, Jalen Brunson, is super underrated, and it’s going to be a fun season watching that Knicks team.
AP: I think spending time with my brother, who visits us on the weekends from San Diego, and watching NBA games together.
