NBA

Celtics Given Unflattering Ranking Among Eastern Conference Teams

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics - Game One
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At the start of last season, the Boston Celtics were seen as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

In the season ahead, things will be very different for Boston.

NBA.com just ranked the Eastern Conference for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, and they don’t have much faith in the Celtics.

According to Daniel Donabdedian, the Celtics are the 12th-best team in the East.

They are ahead of only the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets.

This is obviously not where the Celtics want to be, but it makes a lot of sense.

Things changed at the end of last season, when Jayson Tatum went down with an injury that will leave him sidelined for all of 2025-26.

But the hits didn’t stop there.

The Celtics then had a busy offseason, sending away stars Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet.

And Al Horford is likely also on the move.

The front office is aware that their chances of greatness in the new season have dwindled, but they haven’t given up all hope.

In fact, they have been trying to save money and create a team that will be able to compete, even if hopes of another championship aren’t high.

They are attempting to keep on track until Tatum’s return, and know next season might be troubled, but they believe it doesn’t have to be a trainwreck.

NBA.com doesn’t have as much faith, but Boston is ready to prove them and all of the critics wrong.

The new season is going to expose a lot of issues with the Celtics, and it’ll be an opportunity for them to show what they are capable of when facing adversity.

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Luka Doncic Is Drawing Comparisons To NBA Legend

Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers
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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers is easily one of the best players in the NBA.

In some ways, he is unlike anyone who has come before him, although others compare him to basketball royalty.

According to LakersMuse, LA assistant coach Nate McMillan recently said that Doncic is like Michael Jordan because of his “commitment and dedication to become great after he lost to the Pistons in 1989 and 1990.”

Back in the late 80s, Jordan and his Chicago Bulls were attempting to become the greatest team in the league.

But they had a tough time pushing beyond the dominant Detroit Pistons.

However, Jordan never gave up, dug deep, and helped turn things around for his team at the end of the 1990-91 season, when they overtook the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals and then beat the Lakers for a championship.

McMillan sees similarities in Doncic, and Lakers fans hope he’s right.

Like Jordan, Doncic came close to winning a title a couple of years ago, but fell short against the Boston Celtics.

Since then, he has moved to a new team and heard criticism from his previous squad, the Dallas Mavericks.

Because of that, he is more motivated than ever before and has a lot to prove.

Over the last several weeks, people have talked about Doncic’s physical transformation during the offseason.

It is clear that he’s attempting to put himself in the best position to lead the Lakers to the postseason promised land.

Will he follow in the footsteps of Jordan and finally achieve his goal of winning a championship next season?

Doncic has a chip on his shoulder and less weight around his waist – how will that help the Lakers?

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Stephen Curry Reveals What He’s Playing For Next Season

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Six
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The Golden State Warriors may not be the championship favorites they once were, but they still think they can go all the way in 2025-26.

Speaking to the press, Curry said he has only one goal in the season ahead: winning another title.

“I truly believe we can be championship relevant in the sense of we’re probably not going to be favorite in any conversation, but that we have a team that’s capable of achieving that level again. I think it’s realistic to build towards that. For me, that’s the only thing I’m playing for at this point,” Curry said, via Steph Curry Muse on X.

So, Curry is aiming to be a champion again, but is that truly possible?

Currently, it appears that the Warriors will remain the same team they were at the end of the 2024-25 season.

There is still time for them to make changes, such as moving Jonathan Kuminga or acquiring Josh Giddey, but the team hasn’t formalized a deal yet.

They weren’t able to go all the way last year, so why would they be able to in the new season?

Curry would be a huge part of any success they find, because he remains the team’s most important and proven star.

But head coach Steve Kerr would have to figure out how to use his younger players more, and he would have to settle on a lineup that he likes.

The team turned a corner in the middle of last year, and they looked much better in the second half of the season.

They weren’t good enough to win it all, but they were definitely better than before.

Without massive changes, how can the Warriors go all the way and become champions again?

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Luka Doncic Has A Message For His Doubters

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be one of the most talked about teams in the NBA.

They have a lot of exposure given their global brand and championship pedigree, putting a lot of pressure on their players to perform.

LeBron James is expected to be dominant every season, and the Lakers have spared no expense to make this team a juggernaut.

Trading for Luka Doncic was certainly a move to help them get to that place, but the end result wasn’t quite what they expected in Year 1.

Doncic has invested in himself and his physical health over the past several months, and he’s ready to show the world his new and improved self.

His recent comments via the “New York Times” reflected that, as he said, “They can think and say whatever they want. I’m gonna show them who I am.”

Doncic hears what the doubters are saying about him, but he simply doesn’t care.

Instead, he wants to let his on-court play do the talking, believing that the haters will be silenced sooner rather than later.

Playing with James is an honor that few players in NBA history have had the opportunity to do, and Doncic doesn’t want to squander his time with one of the league’s best.

If they stay healthy, this team could make a deep playoff run in the 2025-2026 season, proving that they deserve to be talked about as a top team in the Western Conference and the league as a whole.

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Warriors Are Reportedly Showing Interest In Bulls Star

Golden State Warriors v Chicago Bulls
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The Golden State Warriors have been shockingly quiet during the offseason, but fans keep hoping they will do something.

Maybe they will, and maybe it’ll be soon.

According to Jake Fischer, per Basketball Forever, the Warriors are “reportedly interested” in Josh Giddey, currently of the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls have been resistant to meeting Giddey’s demand for a contract that brings him $30 million a year.

Will he find a better deal with the Warriors?

Last season, Giddey’s first with the Bulls, he posted 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.

After spending his first three years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey quickly looked comfortable with the Bulls, and some people said he could be the future face of the franchise.

But now it sounds like he could be leaving for a different team because Chicago isn’t willing to give him what he wants with a new salary.

Giddey is a young player who can fill multiple roles and carry a team with different positions, which is one of the reasons why the Warriors are so attracted to him.

Is he enough for Golden State, or would they need more?

Giddey wasn’t the first name at the top of the Warriors’ list of possible targets, but it’s not clear who they have been looking into.

Several players have been floated as potential Warriors, but the team has seemed unsure of who to pursue the most.

Will they go with Giddey, and will this be the end of their offseason?

If they do acquire him, how much will they pay, and will it make him happy?

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Mavericks Bring Back Retro Uniforms For Next Season

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks - Game Four
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Just a few months ago, most people thought the future was bleak for the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, they could be one of the most exciting teams of the new season.

The Mavericks are preparing for a lot of attention in 2025-26, and they are going to bust out some classic jerseys for their fans to enjoy.

Writing on X, Evan Sidery revealed that the Mavericks will be bringing back their retro green uniforms next season.

“Dallas last wore these in 2021, and now No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will be wearing this often during his rookie campaign,” Sidery wrote.

These throwback uniforms really pop on the court, and they will look great throughout the season.

The team hasn’t announced how often they will use these jerseys.

They have been on the shelf for a few years, but 2025-26 is the right time to bring them back, because the Mavericks are attempting to start a new chapter while still respecting the past.

This season looked like it could be very troubled because Dallas was going to be without Luka Doncic.

But then they struck gold with the draft and were able to select No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

The future is now looking much brighter for the Mavericks because of Flagg and other established players like Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and others.

Nothing is promised, and the Mavericks will still have a very tough time becoming the best team in the West, but optimism is returning to Dallas.

And as a way to celebrate where the team has been and where it could go, the front office has decided to use these bright, colorful jerseys.

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Wild Stat Emerges About Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Contract

2025 NBA Finals - Game Five
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is arguably the league’s best star, and he’s certainly getting paid like he is.

He just signed a new deal with his Thunder, and it’s going to reward him with eye-popping numbers.

According to SpoTrac, via Legion Hoops, new salary cap rules mean that Gilgeous-Alexander will be making more money per year than the entire San Antonio Spurs roster in 2013-14.

Gilgeous-Alexander is set to earn $68.1 million per year, meaning that he will be the highest-paid player in NBA history.

It also means that he is bringing in more than the whole 2013-14 Spurs roster.

Yes, the combination of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard didn’t make as much collectively as Gilgeous-Alexander will make in a single season.

That Spurs team is considered one of the greatest of all time, which makes this fact even more astounding.

This shows just how much the NBA has changed, and how much it’ll keep changing.

Gilgeous-Alexander might be bringing in boatloads of money now, but the value of these contracts will only expand more and more in the seasons ahead.

$68 million in a single year is nothing compared to what will be offered ten years down the road.

Is Gilgeous-Alexander worth it?

For the Thunder, the answer is a clear and resounding “absolutely.”

He is their biggest and best star and a major reason why they are now champions.

The Thunder would have been happy to pay even more to keep him around, because they want him to stay in OKC for the rest of his career.

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Insider Predicts ‘Significantly Better Year’ Ahead For Knicks Wing

Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks - Game One
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Mikal Bridges just signed a contract extension with the New York Knicks, meaning he will be with the team for four more years.

Some people were elated to see Bridges make the deal, while others were a bit concerned.

That’s because there was criticism about Bridges’ first year in the Big Apple, and numerous fans demand that he do better.

Speaking on “Katz And Shoot,” Fred Katz stated that he thinks Bridges will greatly improve in 2025-26.

According to Katz, Bridges and former head coach Tom Thibodeau just didn’t work well together.

“I would be surprised if Mikal Bridges didn’t have a much better season…pretty significantly better…It didn’t work for him with Thibs…from kind of a personality standpoint…from an Xs & Os standpoint…Also non-Thibs factors…I think he’ll be a lot better,” Katz said, via New York Basketball.

It’s not like Bridges did a bad job in 2024-25.

His average of 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 50.0 percent from the floor helped the team, but he didn’t seem to click with the rest of the roster as much as fans had hoped.

It’s important to remember that he went to Villanova along with Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, so fans thought he’d immediately become one of the team’s biggest stars along with his school friends.

Instead, Bridges had to work off the rust and didn’t quite look like his regular self.

Katz said that Bridges and Thibodeau weren’t a great fit, but Bridges could flourish now that he has a new head coach.

Plus, he has had more time to find his footing and rhythm with his teammates.

A summer off and full training camp with his coach should get him in a good position for the new season.

Bridges could have a big rebound season.

If he doesn’t, there will be many questions about him and his long-term fit in New York.

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2 Thunder Players Get Major Nods As NBA’s Top Defenders

Phoenix Suns v Oklahoma City Thunder - Emirates NBA Cup
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It is said that defense wins championships, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are a true testament to that.

The Thunder are great at shooting, but they can also defend better than just about anyone.

Kendrick Perkins recently listed his top five defensive players in the NBA, and two of them are Thunder stars.

Perkins gave top honors to Alex Caruso, but Luguentz Dort was also on the list, coming in at number five.

Evan Mobley, Amen Thompson, and Victor Wembanyam were numbers two, three, and four.

There is no doubt that Caruso and Dort are two of the most menacing defenders in the league.

One of the most remarkable things about them is that they aren’t even spoken about when people discuss OKC’s best player.

Fans usually speak of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams when they have a conversation about the most talented stars in Oklahoma City.

This just goes to show how talented and deep the Thunder.

They have a pair of the strongest defensive players in the league, and they aren’t even the team’s brightest stars.

This is no mistake, because the Thunder have been putting this roster together with great goals and strategy.

They never wanted to be a one-sided team and knew they could only win if they had depth, versatility, and the ability to score and block.

The Thunder are now the reigning champions, and they want back-to-back titles.

That means that everyone, including Caruso and Dort, will need to dig deeper than ever and enhance their games.

Their defense will have to remain top-notch in 2025-26 if they want to continue ruling the league.

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1 Bulls Player Poised To Take ‘Big Developmental Leap’ In 2025

Charlotte Bobcats v Chicago Bulls
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The Chicago Bulls have been without a strong identity for years now.

In fact, some people would argue they have been without an identity for decades.

Of course, they want that to change, and they wish to help promising young players develop and grow.

According to Evan Sidery, Matas Buzelis could be taking a “big development leap” in the new season.

He noted that Buzelis averaged 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks after the All-Star break in 2024-25.

“The 6’10” wing is a key long-term building block moving forward in Chicago,” Sidery wrote.

Buzelis just got through his rookie season, and it was a promising one.

He averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists during his 80 games, starting in 31 of them.

It became clear that the Bulls have a lot of faith in Buzelis, and they see great things from him in the future.

Is he going to be a full-time starter for the Bulls in 2025-26?

That seems likely, and they think he could do even more in the new year.

If the Bulls are going to compete in the East again, they will need more than just Buzelis, but they are working hard to add other talent.

They want a slew of young players who have a lot of upside and potential to grow.

Buzelis is really the epitome of the type of star they are intrigued by, and they want more like him.

He was doing so well last year that some people even spoke about him as a Rookie of the Year candidate.

That means his second season is going to attract a lot of attention, and Buzelis will attempt to show that his first year wasn’t just a fluke.

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