It’s amazing to think that a two-time NBA MVP could still have room to improve.
But the numbers being put up by Giannis Antetokounmpo early on in the 2024-25 campaign suggest that the 29-year-old is set to reach all new heights.
And it’s a good job as his Milwaukee Bucks, amongst the favourites to reach the NBA Finals this season before the off, would be well off the pace without him.
Best Laid Plans
In the basketball online betting before the action got underway in 2024-25, the Bucks were considered a 12/1 chance to reach the NBA Finals.
But now, with 13 rounds of games played, those odds have been lengthened to 30/1… and that’s despite Antetokounmpo playing some of the best basketball of his illustrious career to date.
Instead, the basketball tips have now switched to the likes of the Boston Celtics (11/4), Oklahoma City Thunder (5/1) and New York Knicks (8/1).
With a 4-8 record, the pessimism around the Bucks’ chances seems justified enough, with a number of Giannis’ key colleagues – including Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard – continuing to struggle with injuries.
The glass half-full approach would be to consider the possible upward trajectory when Middleton and Lillard return, as well as the potential run to a third MVP award from Giannis.
A one-point loss to the unstoppable Cleveland Cavaliers also offers reasons to be cheerful, as does the narrow win over the Detroit Pistons on November 14.
Antetokounmpo was once again in mesmeric form. The 29-year-old notched 59 points, which is the most from a single player so far in 2024-25, alongside 14 rebounds and seven assists.
It was a truly gargantuan performance, which is in keeping with a player that has often stood up to be counted when the Bucks have needed him the most.
Phillies Feeling the Pinch
If the Bucks have got off to a below-par start, that’s nothing compared to the ills of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Available at odds as short as 8/1 before the season to win the NBA Championship, the 76ers – at the time of writing – find themselves in a bind with a 2-9 record.
They won just one of their opening eight games, but the return of Joel Embiid has sparked something of an improvement in their fortunes.
But heavy losses by ten points or more to the Clippers, Lakers and Cavaliers in November reveal the size of the task facing head coach Nick Nurse in getting Philly’s season back on track.
Statistically, Paul George is off the pace he has set himself throughout his stellar career, while Embiid has hinted (before making a U-turn) that he isn’t able to play back-to-back games anymore due to injury.
Factor in that only the New Orleans Pelicans have averaged fewer points-per-game than the 76ers in the entire NBA so far and the depths of Philly’s woes are revealed.
Can they, and/or the Bucks, turn things around?
