NBA media day signals the beginning of training camp and the unofficial start of the new season. The Boston Celtics are reigning champions, but there’s no shortage of contenders coming from their crown in 2025 after an offseason loaded with big name players changing teams.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges are now members of the New York Knicks. Paul George is on the Philadelphia 76ers, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, Klay Thompson is a Dallas Maverick, and Chris Paul is a San Antonio Spur. LeBron James turns 40 in Dec., and this season he will be teammates with his oldest son, Bronny James, on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The vibes are always high at media day, when every team is undefeated and every personal goal is within reach. If only it could stay that way forever. Here are the best and worst moments from NBA media day ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
LeBron and Bronny bicker like father and son
Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich talk about mutually despising each other
Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin bakes a mean banana bread
Tyrese Haliburton says Bennedict Mathurin baked him an 8/10 banana bread recently. He enjoyed it.
— Tony East (@TonyREast) September 30, 2024
Kawhi Leonard is still a robot
Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoyed his wedding night
A sheepish grin comes over Giannis’ face when asked about the wedding: “I’m very happy we were able to get this done. I was feeling some heat for a long time.”
What was his favorite part of the wedding?
“The wedding night. AFTER the wedding.”
Good lord, this freaking guy.
— Van Fayaz (@lohausfan) September 30, 2024
The Bulls already look sad
Draymond Green was not thrilled with this question
Jakob Poeltl is already admitting the Raptors might tank
Rookie of the Year candidate Reed Sheppard debuts a mustache
The Knicks are smiling
Klay Thompson looks so weird in a Mavericks jersey
Year II of Victor Wembanyama is loading ….
The Herb Jones for Defensive Player of the Year campaign begins now
DominAyton returns for another year
Deandre Ayton on his high level of energy coming into the room for media day: “That’s me. That’s DominAyton. … Gotta drink water, gotta drink juices. Go to bed early.”
Asked to elaborate on juices: “All kinds of stuff. Stuff with ginger in it. Cleanses.”
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) September 30, 2024
We’ll update this story as it develops.
