Every NBA season comes with its fair share of surprises, and the 2024-25 campaign has been no different. While championship contenders and superstars have dominated headlines, several teams have quietly — or loudly — rewritten their narratives in spectacular fashion. These aren’t just flukes or hot streaks. These are teams that have made a leap, exceeded expectations, and found themselves in playoff positioning when few thought they’d be here, or surpassing their previous season’s accomplishments.
Whether it’s through masterful coaching, player development, savvy roster moves, or simply finding the right chemistry at the right time, these are the teams that have all proven that projections and preseason power rankings don’t always tell the full story. Here’s a closer look at how these franchises flipped the script and are now among the best feel-good stories of the season.
Detroit Pistons
Previous season’s record: 17-65
This season’s record: 44-38, 6th in the East
Perhaps no team has made a bigger leap — or captured the league’s heart — more than the Detroit Pistons. Just a year removed from a miserable 17-win season, the Pistons have pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NBA memory. They are now sixth in the Eastern Conference, and have set a playoff date against the third-seeded New York Knicks.
Much of that credit goes to newly hired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who brought immediate structure, accountability, and belief into a young locker room. But the star of the show has been Cade Cunningham. After an injury-riddled season last year, Cunningham has blossomed into a true franchise player this year — a dual-threat scorer and facilitator who commands the game at his own pace. His decision-making has improved drastically, and he’s showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick. Cunningham is here, and he’s gunning for that star/superstar status.
Surrounding Cunningham, players like Jaden Ivey (even though he was injured) and Ausar Thompson have also taken noticeable steps forward, while big man Jalen Duren has anchored the middle with toughness and poise beyond his years. Detroit has also had key free agent signings that brought veteran presence in the locker room in Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris. They have also picked up vet PG Dennis Schroder in a trade to help Cunningham with the ball-handling duties. Everything that Detroit has done was in order to come back and see this moment – to be back in the playoffs. It’s not just that Detroit is winning — it’s how they’re doing it: through defense, selflessness, and maturity. They’ve gone from laughingstock to legitimate in over a season, and it has been incredibly fun to watch.
Houston Rockets
Previous season’s record: 22-60
This season’s record: 52-30, 2nd in the West
After four long and grueling seasons of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets are back — and better than ever. They’ve clinched 50 wins for the first time since the James Harden era and have soared into the second seed in the loaded Western Conference. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but every move the Rockets made over the last four years has culminated in a roster that’s deep, versatile, and hungry.
It started with the front office, who made smart picks in the draft: Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in 2022, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in 2023, and Reed Sheppard in 2024. The result? A blend of high-upside talent that’s matured quickly under the right guidance. And that guidance came in the form of Ime Udoka — the tough, defense-first head coach who has instilled discipline and identity from day one.
The Rockets also balanced their youth with veteran leadership. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks were crucial free-agent signings, and the trade for Steven Adams added much-needed size and experience in the paint. Sengun has quietly become one of the most skilled bigs in the league, averaging near triple-double numbers with his passing and post play. Meanwhile, Jalen Green’s shot selection and efficiency have improved, making him a more consistent offensive threat.
Everything is clicking in Houston, and the best part? They’re still only scratching the surface. It’s officially liftoff time in Houston, Texas.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous season’s record: 51-31
This season’s record: 64-18, 1st in the East
It might sound strange to include a 50-win team in a list of surprises, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have surpassed what many expected from them — and in a completely new way. After losing to the Celtics in the second round last season, many believed Cleveland had plateaued, stuck in a tier below the East’s elite. But the arrival of head coach Kenny Atkinson changed everything.
Atkinson brought more than just X’s and O’s to Cleveland — he brought vision. His innovative offensive schemes breathed new life into the team, particularly Evan Mobley. The former third overall pick has emerged as a true two-way force this year, expanding his offensive bag while remaining a defensive anchor. Mobley has become more comfortable operating as a playmaker, setting high screens, making short-roll reads, and even spacing the floor.
Donovan Mitchell remains the alpha, capable of carrying the offense during clutch moments. But with Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen playing supporting roles to perfection — and the perfect role players giving them a punch off the bench — the Cavaliers are deeper and more dangerous than ever. This is their best season since LeBron left, and it feels like they’ve finally found a sustainable identity. They’re not just winning games; they’re playing like a team that believes it can win the East.
Los Angeles Clippers
Previous season’s record: 44-38
This season’s record: 50-32, 5th in the West
No team entered the season with lower public expectations relative to their talent than the Los Angeles Clippers especially after Paul George left in free agency. The assumption was that LA’s championship window had finally slammed shut. But instead of folding, the Clippers responded with a defiant, gritty, and unified season that caught the league off guard.
Kawhi Leonard returned healthy and dominant, looking like the MVP-caliber player of old. His midrange game has been clinical, and he’s elevated his play on both ends as the postseason approaches. But perhaps the most shocking resurgence came from James Harden, who has turned back the clock and delivered one of his most efficient seasons in years. Harden has assumed full command of the offense, orchestrating everything with poise and flair while re-establishing himself as a top-tier guard in the league that could possibly fetch an All-NBA plum.
The supporting cast has been outstanding. Ivica Zubac has taken a huge leap, anchoring the Clippers’ defense and finishing strong around the rim. He’s firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation. Norman Powell has been a revelation in an expanded role, consistently providing scoring and hustle. The “addition by subtraction” idea has rung true — with more touches and opportunities, Powell has been better than ever.
And of course, credit must go to Tyronn Lue, who has maximized every piece of this roster and turned what many assumed would be a rebuilding year into a redemption tour. The Clippers became this gritty and rugged defensive team that no one wants to meet in the playoffs. They might be underdogs, but they’ve built something real.
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These four teams — Detroit, Houston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles — entered the season with vastly different narratives. But they all share a common thread: they weren’t supposed to be this good. Whether through internal growth, roster management, or coaching brilliance, each franchise has exceeded expectations in its own way.
The playoffs will be the true test, but what these teams have already accomplished is worth celebrating. In a league where dynasties often dominate headlines, it’s stories like these that keep the NBA fresh, unpredictable, and thrilling year after year.
