NBA 2024 Season Preview
As the 2024 NBA season begins, the Boston Celtics are chasing not only another championship but also a historic achievement in the league’s all-time standings. Currently, the San Antonio Spurs hold the top spot in winning percentage among active NBA franchises, but the Celtics have a clear path to surpass them and become the winningest team in NBA history.
This season, the Celtics have the potential to rewrite the record books. San Antonio’s winning percentage stands at .596, while Boston is close behind at .594. If the Spurs finish the season at a break-even 41-41, the Celtics would only need to go 47-35 to overtake them. This opportunity could cement Boston’s place as the team with the most consistent success in NBA history.
The Los Angeles Lakers, another iconic franchise, are also in the conversation, with a winning percentage of .591. If both the Celtics and Spurs falter, the Lakers could potentially leapfrog them and take the top spot themselves. These three teams—Spurs, Celtics, and Lakers—will likely remain the dominant forces in this race for years to come.
Celtics’ Path to the Top: A Legacy of Winning
The Boston Celtics have long been one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. With 18 championships to their name, they’ve established a legacy built on success. However, they haven’t finished a season atop the all-time winning percentage standings since 1996-97. After that, the Lakers dominated the list for 17 consecutive seasons until the Spurs took over in 2013.
This season presents a unique opportunity for the Celtics to reclaim their spot at the top. With key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge, Boston is not only aiming for another championship but also looking to secure their place in NBA history.
Other Team Milestones to Watch
While Boston, San Antonio, and Los Angeles battle for supremacy in the all-time standings, other NBA teams are also approaching significant milestones this season:
- The New York Knicks are just 26 wins shy of reaching 3,000 all-time victories, a mark only the Celtics, Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers have surpassed.
- The Golden State Warriors are similarly close, needing just 31 wins to hit the 3,000 mark.
- The Indiana Pacers need 45 wins to climb back to an even .500 all-time record.
- Denver Nuggets are within reach of their own milestone, needing 46 wins to hit 2,000 all-time victories.
- The Memphis Grizzlies need only two more wins to reach 1,000 in franchise history.
- The Detroit Pistons will play their 6,000th game early this season, cementing their place as one of the league’s most enduring teams.
Star Players Chasing History
This season is not just about teams; individual players are also on the verge of making history. Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is rapidly climbing the all-time scoring list. Last season, Doncic averaged 33.9 points per game, bringing his career average to 28.7 points per game—third-best in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan (30.12) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.07). If Doncic continues at this pace, he could eventually challenge both Jordan and Chamberlain for the top spot in NBA history, possibly as soon as the 2026-27 season.
Another star on the brink of history is Kevin Durant. Now with the Phoenix Suns, Durant is just 1,076 points away from becoming the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points. What sets Durant apart from his peers is his incredible efficiency. With a true shooting percentage of 61.9%, Durant is the most efficient scorer among the league’s all-time greats, including LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan.
Chris Paul, now with the San Antonio Spurs, is also celebrating a major milestone. As he enters his 20th season, Paul continues to defy age and is on pace to climb the all-time assists and steals leaderboards. Currently sitting at No. 3 on both lists, Paul is closing in on Jason Kidd for the No. 2 spot. With just 197 assists and 71 steals needed to surpass Kidd, Paul is poised to further cement his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
Coaching Milestones and Records
The 2024 season also brings opportunities for several NBA coaches to make their mark in the record books. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is entering his 17th season with the team, making him the third-longest tenured coach in NBA history with one franchise, behind only Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and the legendary Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz.
Speaking of Popovich, the all-time leader in coaching wins is just 12 victories away from reaching 1,400. Popovich has coached against 170 of the 350 all-time NBA coaches, and this season, he will face several new opponents, continuing to add to his legendary career.
Other notable coaching milestones include:
- Doc Rivers, now with the Milwaukee Bucks, is 41 wins away from tying Phil Jackson for seventh on the all-time wins list.
- Rick Carlisle, coaching the Indiana Pacers, needs just one win to tie Bill Fitch for 11th all-time.
- Mike Budenholzer, now coaching the Phoenix Suns, is just 16 wins away from 500 career victories.
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FAQs
1. How close are the Celtics to overtaking the Spurs for the best all-time winning percentage?
The Celtics are just a few wins away from surpassing the San Antonio Spurs in the all-time winning percentage standings. If the Spurs finish this season at 41-41, the Celtics would only need to go 47-35 to claim the top spot.
2. Which other teams are approaching major milestones this season?
Several teams are on the verge of reaching significant milestones. The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are closing in on 3,000 all-time wins, while the Memphis Grizzlies are just two wins away from 1,000 franchise victories. Additionally, the Denver Nuggets need 46 wins to reach 2,000 all-time wins.
This season promises to be one for the record books, with team and individual milestones on the horizon and a competitive race for NBA supremacy heating up. Keep an eye on the Celtics, Spurs, and Lakers as they battle for all-time greatness, while superstars like Doncic, Durant, and Paul chase personal legacies on the court.
