In the NBA, the playoffs make or break reputations. Strengths and weaknesses are magnified. Players who exceed expectations on the biggest stage are elevated in the eyes of fans across the globe. Those who underperform rarely shake the playoff dropper title. Here are five players who have the opportunity to boost their perceptions in a massive way and have the most to gain in the 2025 playoffs.
Cade Cunningham
The world is Cade Cunningham’s oyster. As a 23-year-old All-Star from a small market making his postseason debut, he’s in the perfect position to truly introduce himself to the world as one of the sport’s future superstars. Despite the amazing season he’s had, there are still many who doubt the former first overall pick’s potential. A huge series (or two) would erase all that and pack the Cade hype train well past capacity. The Pistons are likely going to match up against the Knicks, Bucks, or Pacers in the first round, three teams that don’t excel at defending in the half court. If Cunningham picks them apart, he’ll put himself in some lofty conversations. Regardless of how he plays, though, how he’s viewed on a general scale for years to come will be determined by his first playoff action.
Julius Randle
Randle is one of the most polarizing stars in the NBA, if not one of the most doubted. The playoff stinkers he put up in 2021 and 2023 have tarnished his reputation despite his overall steady regular season play. Now entering his first postseason in a new context, he could turn a new leaf. The two time All-NBA honoree has found a groove in his role for the Timberwolves as of late, and the team has been successful with him healthy and on the floor. They’re 10-3 since the All-Star break with Randle in the lineup. The threat of his downhill scoring, as well as playmaking ability, have made him a much-needed pressure reliever for Anthony Edwards. If Randle can keep rolling and help the Wolves steal a couple games in a first round series (or maybe even flat-out win a series), his positive value could finally start to be widely recognized.
Jalen Green
Jalen Green is having the most consistent and impactful season of his career. Yet, he still can’t escape mass criticism. He’s a flawed player, but he’s more important to the Rockets than people would like to admit. As a young squad with no established top dog, Houston needs Green’s ability to make something out of nothing and create shots for himself. The team’s half court offense will bog down quickly in the playoffs if Green isn’t making things happen off the bounce. The pressure is on for Jalen Green to show up and show out in the 2025 postseason. If he does, he’ll be able to separate himself from the inefficient chucker mantle that follows him tirelessly.
Mikal Bridges
The Knicks have had serious ups and downs this season, and the rocky nature of their performance has of course led to finger pointing. One thing people love to bring up is that the team traded FIVE first round picks for Mikal Bridges. Selling essentially the entire future of your franchise in exchange for a non-All-Star is a boneheaded move in a vacuum. However, it looks slightly better in the context of New York, as they truly believe they can win a championship with the core they’ve assembled. If Bridges can elevate both his game and his team in the playoffs, he can silence the noise surrounding the trade that brought him to the ‘Bockers.
Donovan Mitchell
The title of best shooting guard in the world is free for the taking. Donovan Mitchell has arguably held it for a good part of the past two seasons, but Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker still have strong claims as well. Mitchell is in prime position to prove himself as not only the best at his position, but also one of the best in the sport overall. He’s entering the playoffs as the leader of a dominant Cavaliers team with serious championship aspirations. Cleveland has three other All-Stars, but in the most crucial moments, they’ll go as far as Mitchell can take them. If Spida can put the city on his back, he’ll put himself in the upper echelon of current NBA players and all-time Cleveland greats.
The Bench Mob Blog 