In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the sixth episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing the following tiers:

Tier 2: Playing for Second Place

4) Cleveland Cavaliers (1:51)

3) New York Knicks (14:17)

Tier 1: Deserving Favorites

2) Denver Nuggets (27:52)

1) Oklahoma City Thunder (39:22)

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the fifth episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing the following tiers:

Tier 4: Too Old, Too Injury Prone

10) Los Angeles Clippers (1:52)

9) Golden State Warriors (14:17)

Tier 3: Lurking, With Some Luck

8) Orlando Magic (25:46)

7) Houston Rockets (36:17)

6) Minnesota Timberwolves (46:51)

5) Los Angeles Lakers (55:23)

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the fourth episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing the following tiers:

Tier 6: Who The Hell Knows?

14) Dallas Mavericks (2:04)

13) Philadelphia 76ers (18:47)

Tier 5: East's Middle Class

12) Milwaukee Bucks (32:09)

11) Atlanta Hawks (44:23)

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the third episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing the following tiers:

Tier 8: Gap Year

20) Indiana Pacers (1:33)

19) Boston Celtics (14:26)

Tier 7: Just Frisky, Or Something More?

18) Portland Trail Blazers (26:35)

17) Memphis Grizzlies (36:34)

16) Detroit Pistons (44:09)

15) San Antonio Spurs (55:59)

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the second episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing Tier 9: No Man's Land, which includes the following teams:

26) Chicago Bulls (2:23)

25) Phoenix Suns (13:33)

24) New Orleans Pelicans (27:06)

23) Sacramento Kings (37:18)

22) Toronto Raptors (46:46)

21) Miami Heat (57:05)

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the first episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing Tier 10: Ping Pong Ball Hopefuls, which includes the following teams:

30) Utah Jazz (2:32)

29) Brooklyn Nets (12:11)

28) Washington Wizards (24:43)

27) Charlotte Hornets (34:22)

Let's discuss the 2025 NBA draft, starting with a brief overview of some historical draft data (1:06). Then, I'll go through each of the lottery picks with a scouting reports, team fits, and will decide if each player will be a Bust, Role Player, or All-Star:

1. Cooper Flagg (4:46)

2. Dylan Harper (10:21)

3. VJ Edgecombe (16:51)

4. Kon Knueppel (23:27)

5. Ace Bailey (29:58)

6. Tre Johnson (37:08)

7. Jeremiah Fears (43:29)

8. Egor Demin (48:51)

9. Collin Murray-Boyles(53:31)

10. Khaman Maluach (58:33)

+ the Mark Williams Trade (1:05:51)

11. Cedric Coward (1:10:38)

12. Noa Essengue (1:16:47)

13. Derik Queen (1:20:36)

+ the Hawks/Pelicans Trade (1:25:33)

14. Carter Bryant (1:29:03)

Lastly, I will wrap up with a few players outside of the lottery that I am higher on than most (1:32:46) and lower on than most (1:37:17)

It's officially the NBA offseason which means teams are ready to make some deals! Let's discuss Kevin Durant being dealt to the Rockets, including how KD fits in Houston and if this pushes them to contender status (0:58), plus, how did the Suns do in their return for Durant? (...not well) (13:39). Next, the Celtics started their massive sell off to reset their cap sheet while Tatum is out, including shipping Jrue Holiday out to Portland for Anfernee Simons (21:01), plus, does the deal make sense for the Blazers? (27:51). Lastly, the Hawks get aggressive in adding Kristaps Porzingis (31:43), the Celtics get under the second apron (38:22), and the Nets join the party in their effort to hoard assets (41:35).

Let's discuss the Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals in which the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA championship since moving to OKC, as an awesome 2024-25 season finally comes to a close. We'll start with a quick recap of the game (0:55), before diving into Halliburton’s devastating Achilles injury early in the game (5:08). Then, the Thunder's keys to victory, including their all-time dominant defense (7:16), SGA’s historic season (13:45), the rest of the OKC supporting cast (17:46), a historically great Thunder season (25:46), and if this might be a dynasty in the making (28:26). Lastly, why the Pacers lost (34:42), an appreciation of their unexpected playoff run (41:20), and if they can make it back to the Finals eventually (47:29).

Let's discuss Game 5 of the NBA Finals in which the Thunder win a huge one over the Pacers to go up 3-2 headed back to Indiana. We'll start with a recap of the game (0:55), before diving into THE Jalen Williams game (9:14) and other keys to OKC's victory (15:55). Then, Haliburton is injured (23:03), the Pacers turn it over like crazy (26:01), and Indiana's defense hits a slump at the worst possible time (28:53). And lastly, I'll discuss if the series officially over (32:48).