The NBA season has reached its most boring a part of the season, the All-Star break. With the falling reputation of the Dunk Contest, All-Star weekend has change into extra of a chance for gamers to relaxation than the rest.
Nonetheless, the precise basketball being performed this season has been wildly thrilling. Many hate CJ McCollum for altering the CBA, making it more durable for groups to retain their full rosters, nevertheless it has finished its job in making the NBA as competitively balanced because it’s ever been.
Not like years previous after we had been simply ready for the Cavs and Warriors to rematch within the Finals, this season has us asking just a few questions earlier than we end the second half. Listed here are my two largest questions that also have to be answered.
Are the Pistons the Actual Deal?
After dropping a tightly contested first-round collection with the Knicks final yr, many had been hoping for a small leap out of the Pistons. Effectively, they’ve skipped that step completely and have the most effective successful share within the NBA, and have the third-best odds to win the Jap Convention.
Initially of the yr, I extremely doubted that the Pistons had been actual, however I’m finished doubting them. When JB Bickerstaff took over as head coach, I checked out him as extra of a ground raiser than a ceiling raiser, however he’s instilled a tradition in Detroit that is likely one of the greatest within the league.
Cade Cunningham is taking part in at a first-team All-NBA degree, and everybody round them has upped their sport. Exterior of that, it’s been the smaller strikes which have been big for Detroit. Daniss Jenkins has gone from an unused two-way participant to a sharp-shooting rotation piece.
Duncan Robinson regarded like he is likely to be a little bit of an overpay for Detroit, however he has change into the precise ground spacer Cade wanted. Then, in fact, Jalen Duren turning right into a strolling double-double, and an ideal rim-running associate for Cade, can’t go unnoticed.
The Pistons didn’t look afraid of the second final yr, so I’m to see how they are going to look as heavy first-round favorites as we make it to April.
May the Thunder be Weak this 12 months?
Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives in opposition to Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) within the first half at Fiserv Discussion board. Necessary Credit score: Michael McLoone-Imagn Photos If Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s harm has any long-term impacts, who’s going to steer the Thunder? Chet Holmgren is having a profession yr in factors, rebounds, and discipline purpose share. He’s doing this whereas additionally having the second-best odds to win the defensive participant of the yr.
He’s been nice, however he’s not a man I belief as a primary possibility, and hopefully he doesn’t should be. Then again, Jalen Williams has had a little bit of a down yr. Moreover Williams having the worst taking pictures splits of his profession, OKC has merely been higher when he’s been off the courtroom.
There’s little doubt he’s nonetheless extremely precious, however I’m not bought on him getting used correctly. I feel he could be higher suited in a decrease utilization function, as he’s been a little bit of a ball stopper for the Thunder.
Due to these considerations, I feel there are some actual threats to the Thunder’s crown—particularly, two threats within the Spurs and Nuggets. I additionally need to imagine within the Rockets, however their lack of a real level guard and spacing considerations really feel like an excessive amount of of an uphill battle.
Victor Wembanyama is clearly nice, however extra than simply that, he’s finished a miraculous job at giving the Thunder suits. The Thunder depend on getting downhill, and that’s simply not going to occur in opposition to Wemby. However they’re greater than Wemby at this level.
De’Aron Fox has returned from harm and is again to taking part in like an All-Star. Not solely that, however getting high three picks in back-to-back drafts and nailing these choices with Stephon Fort and Dylan Harper, most actually helps.
Then with the Nuggets, they’ve Nikola Jokic, however greater than having the most effective participant on the planet, this is likely to be the most effective group they’ve ever put round him. Jamal Murray is taking part in the most effective basketball of his profession, and so they’ve paired that with function gamers who work completely with Jokic.
Additionally, the firing of long-term coach Mike Malone was closely scrutinized, however Adelman may need discovered the right offensive match for Jokic. They slowed the sport down considerably, going from ninth in possessions per sport final yr to twenty third this season. This transformation of tempo has allowed them to work the ball by way of Jokic extra and have him kick it again out to their perimeter shooters.
Each of those groups are a lot better suited to compete with the Thunder this yr, but when OKC is at full power, they’re nonetheless simply the group to beat this season.
