The 2014–15 NBA season was the 69th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA draft took place on June 26, 2014, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Andrew Wiggins was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The regular season began on October 28, 2014, when the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs hosted the first game against the Dallas Mavericks at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The 2015 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 15, 2015, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the West defeating the East 163–158. Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook won the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. The regular season ended on April 15, 2015, and the playoffs began on April 18, 2015, and ended with the 2015 NBA Finals on June 16, 2015, after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win their fourth NBA title and first since 1975. The Charlotte Bobcats played their first official game as the Charlotte Hornets since 2002.
Transactions
Retirement On June 10, 2014, Derek Fisher signed a five-year, $25 million deal as the head coach of the New York Knicks, instead of playing one more season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. During his eighteen seasons in the league as a player, he won five NBA championships, all with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2002 and 2009–2010). On June 15, 2014, Shane Battier announced his retirement immediately following the Miami Heat's loss in Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals. He was 35, and had played for thirteen seasons. He won back-to-back NBA championships with the Heat (2012–2013) On September 9, 2014, Chauncey Billups announced his retirement after 17 years of playing; the last team he played for was the Detroit Pistons, and he won a championship with them in 2004 as well as a Finals MVP that same year. On February 26, 2015, Richard Hamilton officially announced his retirement after 14 seasons from NBA with one championship ring with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. On March 21, 2015, Steve Nash officially announced his retirement after 18 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Nash was contracted by the Lakers, but was sidelined by season-ending injuries during pre-season.
Free agency Free agency negotiations began on July 1, 2014, when players began to sign starting on July 10, after the July moratorium ended. Some notable moments from free agency are: On June 23, 2014, the New York Knicks announced that Carmelo Anthony would enter free agency. On June 23, 2014, the Miami Heat announced that LeBron James would become a free agent. In late June 2014, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opted out of their contracts with the Miami Heat. On July 11, 2014, LeBron James announced that he would return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On July 12, 2014, Pau Gasol reportedly was joining the Chicago Bulls. On July 12, 2014, Isaiah Thomas signed with the Phoenix Suns in a sign and trade. On July 12, 2014, Chris Bosh re-signed with the Miami Heat for a five-year, $118 million contract. On July 13, 2014, Carmelo Anthony announced that he would return to the New York Knicks. On July 13, 2014, Paul Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards for a two-year, $10 million contract. On July 15, 2014, Dwyane Wade re-signed with the Miami Heat for a 1-year, $22 million contract.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff-seasonTeam2013–14 season2014–15 seasonNew York KnicksMike WoodsonDerek FisherMinnesota TimberwolvesRick AdelmanFlip SaundersMilwaukee BucksLarry DrewJason KiddBrooklyn NetsJason KiddLionel HollinsUtah JazzTyrone CorbinQuin SnyderLos Angeles LakersMike D'AntoniByron ScottGolden State WarriorsMark JacksonSteve KerrCleveland CavaliersMike BrownDavid BlattDetroit PistonsJohn Loyer (interim)Stan Van GundyIn-seasonTeamOutgoing coachIncoming coachSacramento KingsMichael MaloneTyrone Corbin (interim)Tyrone Corbin (interim)George KarlOrlando MagicJacque VaughnJames Borrego (interim)Denver NuggetsBrian ShawMelvin Hunt (interim)
Off-season On April 21, 2014, the New York Knicks fired head coach Mike Woodson after two years with the team. On April 21, 2014, the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman announced his retirement from coaching. On April 21, 2014, the Utah Jazz opted not to renew head coach Tyrone Corbin's contract after over three full seasons with the team. On April 30, 2014, the Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni resigned after nearly two years with the team. On May 6, 2014, the Golden State Warriors fired head coach Mark Jackson after three years with the team. On May 12, 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach Mike Brown after one year of his second tenure with the team. On May 14, 2014, the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as the head coach. On May 19, 2014, the Golden State Warriors hired Steve Kerr as head coach. On June 5, 2014, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced that Flip Saunders returned to the Timberwolves as head coach. On June 6, 2014, the Utah Jazz hired Quin Snyder, formerly an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks, as head coach. On June 10, 2014, the New York Knicks hired Derek Fisher as head coach. On June 20, 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired David Blatt as head coach. On June 30, 2014, the Milwaukee Bucks traded two future second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for their head coach Jason Kidd and fired head coach Larry Drew. On July 2, 2014, the Brooklyn Nets hired Lionel Hollins as head coach. On July 29, 2014, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Byron Scott as head coach.
In-season On December 15, 2014, the Sacramento Kings fired head coach Michael Malone and replaced him with Tyrone Corbin on an interim basis. On February 5, 2015, the Orlando Magic fired Jacque Vaughn of his head coaching duties and replaced him with James Borrego on an interim basis. On February 12, 2015, the Sacramento Kings demoted Tyrone Corbin from his coaching duties and replaced him with former Coach of the Year George Karl. On March 3, 2015, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Brian Shaw, with Melvin Hunt taking over as interim coach.
Preseason The preseason began on October 4, 2014, and ended on October 24, 2014.
Regular season The regular season began on October 28, 2014, with the defending NBA champions San Antonio Spurs hosting the first game against the Dallas Mavericks. The regular season ended on April 15, 2015. Christmas Day games were played on December 25, 2014. The NBA is mulling a week-long All-Star break in February 2015, and the full schedule was released during a one-hour schedule release special on August 13, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. EDT on NBA TV.
Standings
By division Eastern Conference
Western Conference
By conference
Notes z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs y – Clinched division title x – Clinched playoff spot * – Division champion
Tiebreakers
Eastern Conference Brooklyn clinched #8 seed over Indiana based on head-to-head record (2–1).
Western Conference Houston clinched the #2 seed over the Los Angeles Clippers as Houston won the Southwest Division while the L.A. Clippers finished 2nd in the Pacific Division. Memphis clinched the #5 seed over San Antonio based on a better divisional record (9–7 to 8–8). New Orleans clinched the #8 seed over Oklahoma City based on head-to-head record (3–1).
Playoffs
The 2015 NBA playoffs began on April 18, 2015, and concluded with the 2015 NBA Finals which began on June 4, 2015, on ABC. ESPN broadcast the Western Conference Finals and TNT televised the Eastern Conference Finals. ABC broadcast the NBA Finals.
Bracket
Statistics leaders
Individual statistic leaders Listed below are the stat leaders in the league: Category Player Team Statistics Points per game Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 28.1 Rebounds per game DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 15.0 Assists per game Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers 10.2 Steals per game Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs 2.31 Blocks per game Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 2.94 Turnovers per game Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 4.4 Fouls per game DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 4.1 Minutes per game Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls 38.7 FG% DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 71.0% FT% Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 91.4% 3FG% Kyle Korver Atlanta Hawks 49.2% Efficiency per game Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 30.89 Double-doubles Pau Gasol Chicago Bulls 54 Triple-doubles Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 11
Individual game highs Category Player Team Statistics Points Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers 57 Rebounds DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 27 Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons Assists Brandon Jennings Detroit Pistons 21 Steals Mario Chalmers Miami Heat 8 Blocks Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat 12 Three Pointers Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 11 Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers
Team statistic leaders Category Team Statistics Points per game Golden State Warriors 110.0 Rebounds per game Oklahoma City Thunder 47.5 Assists per game Golden State Warriors 27.4 Steals per game Milwaukee Bucks 9.6 Philadelphia 76ers Blocks per game New Orleans Pelicans 6.2 Blocked attempts per game Sacramento Kings 6.2 Turnovers per game Philadelphia 76ers 17.7 Fouls per game Denver Nuggets 23.0 Fouls drawn per game Sacramento Kings 23.9 FG% Golden State Warriors 47.8% FT% Portland Trail Blazers 80.1% 3FG% Golden State Warriors 39.8% +/− Golden State Warriors 10.1
Awards
Yearly Awards Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves Sixth Man of the Year: Louis Williams, Toronto Raptors Most Improved Player: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls Coach of the Year: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks Executive of the Year: Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors Sportsmanship Award: Kyle Korver, Atlanta Hawks J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
All-NBA First Team: F Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans F LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers C Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies G James Harden, Houston Rockets G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
All-NBA Second Team: F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers F Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls C DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings G Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
All-NBA Third Team: F Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers F Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers G Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors G Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA All-Defensive First Team: F Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers G Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
NBA All-Defensive Second Team: F Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans F Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs C Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors G Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls G John Wall, Washington Wizards
NBA All-Rookie First Team: Nikola Mirotić, Chicago Bulls Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
NBA All-Rookie Second Team: Bojan Bogdanović, Brooklyn Nets Langston Galloway, New York Knicks Jusuf Nurkić, Denver Nuggets Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Players of the week The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.