NBA Quarter-Season Grades: Celtics and Cavaliers Lead the East, One Team Gets an ‘F’
With the 2024-25 NBA regular season 25% complete, it’s time to assess how teams are performing. As of now, every team has played between 19 and 23 games, making it the perfect time to hand out some grades for the Eastern Conference. Although there’s still a long way to go, the sample size is large enough to start forming conclusions.
At the top of the East, the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers stand out as the class of the conference, with both teams earning an ‘A’ grade. These two teams have proven to be elite early in the season, setting the bar for everyone else. Meanwhile, one team has underperformed so significantly that they receive an ‘F’.
Here’s a breakdown of how each Eastern Conference team has fared so far:
Atlanta Hawks: B-
- Record: 11-11
- Rankings: 21st in offense, 20th in defense, 19th in net rating (-2.6)
Reason for Optimism:
The Hawks boast an exciting collection of young wings, including Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher. The team has shown promise, especially in their group stage wins against the Celtics and Cavaliers.
Reason for Pessimism:
The Hawks have been extremely inconsistent, often playing at a high level one night and underperforming the next. Their defense and shooting remain areas of concern, and the challenge will be finding the right pieces to surround their promising young talent.
Summary:
The Hawks have been one of the most perplexing teams this season. They’ve scored impressive wins but also suffered embarrassing losses, such as their defeats to the lowly Washington Wizards. The future looks bright with their young core, but their lack of consistency could hinder progress this season.
Boston Celtics: A
- Record: 17-4
- Rankings: 3rd in offense, 8th in defense, 2nd in net rating (+10.2)
Reason for Optimism:
The Celtics are a juggernaut, and they’ve been dominating since the opening game of the season. They are on pace for a 66-win season and have looked nearly unstoppable, especially considering Kristaps Porzingis missed the first month. Jayson Tatum is playing at an MVP level, and Payton Pritchard has emerged as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Reason for Pessimism:
The only real concern is the health of their frontcourt, particularly Porzingis and Al Horford. Any injuries to these key players could disrupt the team’s rhythm, but with such depth, the Celtics are well-equipped to handle setbacks.
Summary:
The Celtics have been exceptional, posting the second-best net rating in the league. Despite their four losses being close (by 1, 3, 4, and 6 points), it’s hard to find many weaknesses in their game. Their ability to shoot a record-breaking number of threes is just one facet of what makes them so dangerous. They’re the clear favorites in the East.
Brooklyn Nets: B
- Record: 9-13
- Rankings: 13th in offense, 26th in defense, 22nd in net rating (-4.0)
Reason for Optimism:
The Nets have played with a lot of heart, and head coach Jordi Fernandez has them competing at a high level, even if the team is a bit overmatched. They’ve shown impressive physicality on the court, committing 32 fouls and allowing 46 free throws on opening night.
Reason for Pessimism:
While the Nets’ effort is commendable, their shooting struggles and overall lack of firepower have limited their ability to win consistently. They’re also dealing with a lack of offensive firepower that may hinder their long-term success.
Summary:
The Nets were expected to be in rebuilding mode this season, but they’ve remained competitive, with Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cam Johnson playing well. However, their 9-13 record highlights the ongoing struggles. Brooklyn will have to decide whether to push for a playoff spot or fully embrace a rebuilding strategy.
Cleveland Cavaliers: A
- Record: 16-5
- Rankings: 6th in offense, 4th in defense, 3rd in net rating (+8.4)
Reason for Optimism:
The Cavaliers have been a well-balanced team, with strong performances from Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Their offense and defense have both been top-notch, and they’re thriving as one of the best all-around teams in the league.
Reason for Pessimism:
There’s little to be concerned about in Cleveland right now, but staying healthy will be crucial as they approach the second half of the season. They also need to maintain consistency against tougher opponents to prove they can truly compete at the highest level.
Summary:
Cleveland has been impressive, with a solid core and a mix of offensive firepower and defensive toughness. They are a legitimate threat in the East and have shown that they are capable of making a deep playoff run.
In Conclusion: The Celtics and Cavaliers have been the class of the East, while teams like the Hawks and Nets have had their moments but remain inconsistent. The season is still young, but the early grades show that Boston and Cleveland are the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference, while others have work to do if they want to catch up.
