Let's play another edition of my annual game called Sample Size Roulette, where I answer whether or not the sample size is big enough to say that... the 76ers' season is already over (0:54), the Knicks resoundingly won the Towns trade (10:47), the Cavaliers can actually make the NBA Finals (19:15), Tyrese Haliburton is just bad now (31:13), the Warriors are legitimate contending threats in the West (37:12), the Rockets are locks to make the playoffs in the West (45:38), both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are taking the leap in the same season (52:43), the Suns have a serious problem at the center position (59:22), the Clippers are... kinda good? And maybe could be in the mix once Kawhi is back (1:05:07), and the league should consider abolishing conferences due to their lopsidedness (1:11:09).

Only 4-to-5 games into the season, let's play a little game of 'This or That', where I pose a question and decide between two teams to answer it. Including, which struggling team is in bigger trouble to start the season, the Nuggets or Bucks? (0:51) Which young team is a more serious threat to contend in the East, the Magic or Cavs? (19:10). Which head coach has had a greater impact on their new team, JJ Redick or Mike Budenholzer? (33:29) Which team has created greater separate in their respective conference, the Thunder or Celtics? (52:03) Which aging roster has been the bigger pleasant surprise, the Clippers or Warriors? (1:04:35) And which West playoff contender more desperately needs to make a move, the Pelicans or Rockets? (1:07:31)

Let's discuss 10 semi-bold predictions for the upcoming NBA season, including:

-The Clippers will be a bottom-3 team in the West (1:32)

-The Hawks will make the postseason (7:51)

-The Celtics will lose in the second round (14:44)

-The Pelicans will trade Brandon Ingram midseason for a starting center (21:28)

-The Bucks will make the NBA Finals (26:53)

-Reed Sheppard will replace Jalen Green in the Rockets' starting lineup (35:22)

-The Suns will be a top-3 seed in the West (40:34)

-The Mavericks will lose in the first round (48:39)

-The Hornets will make the play-in (53:49)

-The Heat will miss the playoffs and it will be Jimmy Butler's last season in Miami (57:40)

Then, some quick hitting predictions including regression for a young team, some first time All-NBA players, a contender who will finish lower than expected, an unsuspecting winner for MIP, and public perception changing on one of the major offseason trades (1:01:16). Finally, I will wrap up with my formal predictions for how the standings will shake out and reveal my pick to win the NBA Finals (1:08:09).

Let's wrap up the preseason contender tiers. In part 2, I'll cover the following tiers:

Tier 4 - NON-SERIOUS PLAYOFF TEAMS (0:53)

15) Orlando Magic (3:06)

14) New Orleans Pelicans (10:13)

13) Los Angeles Lakers (19:41)

12) Cleveland Cavaliers (27:22)

11) Indiana Pacers (34:44)

10) Memphis Grizzlies (42:16)

Tier 3 - SLEEPING GIANT (50:14)

9) Phoenix Suns (51:16)

Tier 2 - IF THE BALL BOUNCES OUR WAY (1:00:52)

8) Minnesota Timberwolves (1:02:02)

7) Dallas Mavericks (1:10:07)

6) Philadelphia 76ers (1:21:19)

5) New York Knicks (1:29:50)

4) Milwaukee Bucks (1:38:08)

3) Denver Nuggets (1:46:58)

Tier 1 - THE FAVORITES (1:55:49)

2) Oklahoma City Thunder (1:56:27)

1) Boston Celtics (2:06:18)

Let's start the 2024-25 NBA season preview--kicking off with some preseason contender tiers. In part 1, I'll cover the following tiers:

Tier 8 - HAVE TANKATHON BOOKMARKED (1:21)

30) Brooklyn Nets (2:17)

29) Washington Wizards (4:59)

28) Portland Trail Blazers (8:16)

27) Detroit Pistons (11:40)

26)Utah Jazz (15:05)

Tier 7 - GEOGRAPHICAL BENEFICIARIES (18:08)

25) Toronto Raptors (19:18)

24) Chicago Bulls (23:21)

23) Charlotte Hornets (27:31)

22) Atlanta Hawks (30:16)

Tier 6 - I MIGHT REGRET THIS (35:27)

21) San Antonio Spurs (36:00)

20) Houston Rockets (39:56)

Tier 5 - FURTHER THAN YOU THINK (46:03)

19) Los Angeles Clippers (46:50)

18) Golden State Warriors (51:46)

17) Miami Heat (56:51)

16) Sacramento Kings (1:01:47)

To hear tiers 1-4, check out part 2!

Let's discuss the blockbuster deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks involving Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, starting with the trade parameters (0:58), then discussing the Knicks' side of the deal (2:58), and then looking at the Wolves' perspective (22:44).

Let's discuss the recent transaction frenzy with all the biggest free agent signing and trades. First, Paul George signs with the 76ers, what that means for Philadelphia as a contender, and Daryl Morey's patience winning once again (0:55). Then, what PG's departure means for the Clippers moving forward in the short and long term (14:56). Next, Mikal Bridges joins his former Villanova teammates in New York in a intra-city blockbuster, looking at this trade both in a vacuum and within context, and where the Knicks now stack up in the East (22:17). Then, how this trade grades out for Brooklyn, including the deal they made with Houston to get their own pick back (40:20). Next, the Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray from Atlanta and if his addition moves the needle for New Orleans in the West (45:33). Then, if the Hawks made the right decision dealing Murray and building around Trae Young (53:14). Next, the Thunder make two medium-sized splashes by adding Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso and what those additions do for their title hopes (56:47). Then, the Magic add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1:05:22) and what his loss means for Denver as they lose their second key piece in two years (1:08:06). Next, the Mavs add Klay Thompson via sign-and-trade (1:14:09) and what the Warriors do in a post-Klay Thompson world (1:20:10). Lastly, Wemby finally gets the point guard he lacked last season with point god himself, Chris Paul (1:25:14).

Let's discuss the 2024 NBA draft, starting with a quick discussion on the weak 2024 class overall (0:55). Then, I'll go through each of the projected lottery picks with a scouting reports, player comps, and will decide if each player will be a bust, role player, or all-star:

1. Zaccharie Risacher (9:07)

2. Alexandre Sarr (15:57)

3. Reed Sheppard (23:10)

4. Donovan Clingan (30:06)

5. Matas Buzelis (34:52)

6. Stephon Castle (40:16)

7. Cody Williams (45:48)

8. Dalton Knecht (50:23)

9. Devin Carter (55:29)

10. Ron Holland II (1:01:52)

11. Rob Dillingham (1:10:14)

12. Tidjane Salaun (1:14:13)

13. Nikola Topic (1:19:28)

14. Zach Edey (1:26:02)

Lastly, I will wrap up with a few players outside of the lottery that I am higher on than most (1:34:54).