Zach KramMay 21, 2025, 08:00 AM ET
Close- Zach Kram is a national NBA writer for ESPN.com, specializing in short- and long-term trends across the league’s analytics landscape. He previously worked at The Ringer covering the NBA and MLB. You can follow Zach on X via @zachkram.
Why All NBA Teams Should Tune into the Conference Finals
The NBA playoff landscape has shifted dramatically as the final four teams—the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers—compete for the 2024-2025 championship. While the remaining 26 teams can’t win the title this year, they are presented with a crucial opportunity to glean insights into successful strategies, tactics, and roster-building approaches demonstrated by these contenders. The NBA is a notoriously adaptive league, and studying the methods and successes of the conference finalists can empower other franchises to rethink their strategies for the upcoming seasons.
Lesson No. 1: Managing Turnovers with High-Octane Guards
Beneficiaries: Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz.
As evidenced in the playoffs, a key factor contributing to the success of a team’s guard is their ability to limit turnovers. Among the top players in assist rate this season, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed remarkable poise with the lowest turnover rate, while the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton and the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson followed closely behind. Their efficient ball handling has directly correlated with their teams’ advancement to the conference finals.
Consider the stark contrast in performance between players noted for their ability to manage the game effectively and those who struggle. For instance, during the postseason, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, despite averaging impressive assists, matched Brunson’s assists but had double the turnovers. The turnovers essentially translated to significant lost points for the Pistons, ultimately impacting their ability to advance.
Lesson No. 2: The Value of Rotational Depth
Beneficiaries: Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks.
It’s widely accepted that playoff rotations tighten as star players log more minutes; however, the strength of a deep bench remains a critical factor in postseason success. The Pacers have effectively utilized a 10-player rotation, while the Timberwolves maintain a stable eight-player lineup that features within it several players of starter quality. The less successful teams in the playoffs struggled with shallow rotations, underscoring the need for depth.
After the Nuggets’ elimination, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic emphasized the importance of having a strong bench, noting that teams with longer rotations tend to perform better. This indicates a perceptible shift in the strategic landscape of the NBA that teams aspiring to contend should take seriously.
Lesson No. 3: Understanding the Eastern Conference Dynamics
Beneficiaries: Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors.
The recent surgery of Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics’ impending financial adjustments have opened the Eastern Conference, creating a rare opportunity for other teams. The conference’s landscape appears ripe for competition, particularly for the teams currently in contention. This scenario may induce teams like the Bucks and Cavs to evaluate their strategies concerning star players, aiming to maximize their chances of claiming supremacy in what looks to be an accessible playoff landscape.
Lesson No. 4: Concealing Defensive Weaknesses
Beneficiaries: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets.
The Pacers and Knicks, despite having less-than-optimal defensive guards, have skillfully deployed solid defensive rotations. Both teams have a robust selection of wings who can carry the load on defense, effectively compensating for their point guards’ shortcomings. This strategy has proven effective, particularly in playoff situations where teams are relentless in finding mismatches to exploit.
Teams with offensive-minded guards, such as Darius Garland and Tyler Herro, should learn from how the successful teams mitigate their defensive liabilities by assembling versatile wing combinations, which can serve as a template for building effective two-way squads.
Lesson No. 5: Addressing Foul Rates
Beneficiaries: Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks.
The four conference finalists exhibit a common thread: they are among the least foul-prone teams in the postseason. The challenge for other teams is to understand that walking the fine line between aggression and discipline is vital. Excessive fouling can hinder defensive strategy; however, too little aggression often becomes detrimental in the playoffs. It’s about finding the right balance, as demonstrated by teams willing to trade fouls for strong defensive play.
The Nuggets and Bulls, among others, should analyze how the four finalists leverage physicality in their defensive play, especially in high-stakes moments where the referees may be less inclined to call fouls.
Lesson No. 6: Techniques to Counter the Thunder
Beneficiaries: Any team aiming to compete for the West over the next five years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have established themselves as a dominant force in the West while possessing the league’s youngest roster. Their effectiveness creates a pressing need for rivals to develop strategies to stifle their momentum. Insights gleaned from the current playoff matchups provide essential clues for other Western Conference teams that intend to challenge their supremacy.
Teams should note successful defensive adjustments made against the Thunder—such as strategic zone defenses—which have highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Oklahoma City’s otherwise robust offensive structure.
Lesson No. 7: Maximizing Contributions from Role Players
Beneficiaries: All remaining 26 NBA teams.
Though several conference finalist players, including Anthony Edwards and Chet Holmgren, have been top draft picks or big-name acquisitions, much of their success derives from effectively utilizing complementary players. For example, the Pacers have thrived by maximizing the potential of lower-profile players like Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin, showcasing the importance of creating the right environments for talent to flourish.
Similarly, teams far removed from contention can expand their focus on development, looking for undervalued players who can prosper under the right circumstances, enhancing their depth and future prospects.
As the 2024-2025 playoff action unfolds, all eyes are on the four teams left standing, but the broader NBA community should pay close attention, too. Observing their strategies can create a ripple effect, guiding other teams in their efforts to refine their tactical approaches and roster development in pursuit of future successes.