Welcome to the first edition of a new series we’re doing here at The Breakdown! For the last few years we’ve only brought you NBA coverage via the “Nick on the Knicks” blog series, but now we’re combining that with coverage of the entire “Association.” What’s our format you ask? Well our title, H-O-R-S-E, is the same as the game we have all played against each other on the playground. Five letters in the word, five topics in each edition of the series. Today’s topics revolve what we should be looking forward to this season. So without further ado, let’s get into the Knicks and then the rest of the sport!

The New York Knicks

The Title defense begins for the Knicks Wednesday night against the newly revamped 76ers, meaning the months-long party is officially over. No more parades, no more champagne, no more SNL sketches, just the grind of an NBA season. This team will enter the season with a target on their back as the champs, meaning they’ll get everyone’s best punch each night. While their performance in the preseason and off-court contract drama has caused some concern, this group is primed for another big year!

The good news for this team is that most of the roster from last year’s title squad is back. While losing Mitchell Robinson isn’t insignificant, the depth is still intact and the starting five is ready to follow captain Jalen Brunson into battle once again. If there’s a question looming over Mike Brown’s team, it’s whether or not Andre Drummond can support Karl Anthony Towns as the backup center. Elsewhere it sounds like Bruce Brown is going to make this team as the backup point guard, likely meaning Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet will be dealt before the season begins.

Expectations are rightfully high coming off a championship and I expect this team to meet those expectations. I think they’ll win around 50 games, give or take a few in either direction of the number, and be a threat to go deep in the spring once again. The goal for the regular season needs to be maintaining health and finishing in the top three of the East to have home court come playoff time. They’re deep and ready to roll, let’s celebrate one more time and then get after it!

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The Rookie Class: The first thing I think we should be excited for this year is the incoming rookie class. The 2026 draft brought us a group of young players that are extremely exciting. If you have NBA League Pass or get a chance to catch one of these young players’ teams on national, use my guide to the rookies to watch below.

• AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards: AJ was the number one pick in the draft out of BYU, and he arrives in the league with an impressive skill set. He’s rangey, athletic as hell, and has the tools to be a strong scorer in the league. The added bonus for him is that he’s actually got some players around him in DC, making the Wiz a worthy watch.
• Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz: The first pick in a draft will always be followed by the player who followed him, so let’s get to Darryn Peterson. Peterson is your classic scoring two-guard who can fill it up when he wants to. He’s got a great jump shot and lit up the summer league showing off his bag of scoring skills. He’s been a lightning rod at times given his random absences at Kansas and the media comparing him to legends of the game. But this kid can play and the Jazz have playoff upside this year. Check them out whenever they’re on, you won’t be sorry.
• Cam Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies: Next up is the most polished player of the bunch this year, former Duke power forward Cam Boozer. Boozer was outstanding in Durham last year and he plays with so much poise. He’s gotten a great education in playing in the league from his multi-time All-Star dad Carlos. He’s in an intriguing situation in Memphis with good young players around him, and the Grizz building out their gritty style around him and fellow big Zack Edey. If they can get both of them on the floor at the same time, they’re gonna be a headache to face night to night.
• Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls: We now arrive at perhaps the most explosive player in the draft class, former UNC forward Caleb Wilson. After an impressive year in Chapel Hill, Wilson’s draft stock soared. The Bulls got very lucky to land the kind of player their fans have been begging for since they lost Butler and Rose. Wilson can play inside and out, and isn’t afraid to get physical when the situation calls for it. His highlights will go viral and he looks to be the right guy to lead their new young group. They may struggle to win at times, but the future is bright in the Windy City.
• Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings: “Bag work” is defined as “showcasing or drilling those versatile scoring moves on the court.” That basketball slang term applies the most to this player, my favorite from the class. Darius Acuff Jr. out of Arkansas has all the ability in the world from the point guard spot. He’s a gifted scorer, smart passer, and his handles can get him to the basket to score inside. Now the bad news…he’s on the Kings. Hopefully he enjoys playing with Damontis Sabonis while he’s still on the team before Sacramento flips the big man.

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No More Tanking: Finally, after years of nonsense on and off the court, the commissioner’s office took steps to slow down tanking. While they’ll never fully end it, the new rules that are in place will make a big impact on the league. Gone are the days of teams just throwing games away and fielding awful rosters in the name of just getting a shot to draft first. We should get more competitive games and less of the big dogs just smashing the bad ones. Here’s a helpful explanation of the new rules and changes to draft process.

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Window Closed?: Out West we have a clear hierarchy of contenders as it’s the Thunder and Spurs running neck and neck, and then everyone else. Trying to re-emerge from that mushy middle is the former champion Nuggets, who are in a tough spot as the season begins. After going for it the last couple of years, Denver is up against the cap ceiling and all the penalties that come with that. This has led to their aging core losing young pieces around it like Payton Watson who was traded to Cleveland in the summer. They added vet scorer Demar DeRozen as a free agent and while it’s a nice pickup, it doesn’t get them any closer to beating OKC or San Antonio. It’s a shame to see Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic (perhaps the best player in the game) have their primes wasted, but hopefully this front office can help them out.

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New Faces in New Places: The theme of the offseason around the league this summer was the number of players that moved around the league. It seems the Knicks’ title and previously existent “path” through the Eastern Conference led to a number of players pushing to get to better situations in the East. It also seems several front offices decided to roll the dice this year to win a title, as they were willing to make more aggressive and “50/50” type trades that shake things up. Check out the slideshow above to see some of the players that moved around and where they’re playing now.

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Don’t Sleep on H-Town: While we already covered a piece of the Western conference pecking order, I think this team could give San Antonio and Oklahoma City a run for their money. I’m not even sure why I’m excited about this team given the fact that they let me down last year. But I think the Houston Rockets could be a sleeper in the West and this year. Why is this possible? Well for one their offense should improve as point guard Fred Van Vleet is back after missing all of last year. On top of that their talented young core got another year of experience last season they have more solid depth behind them with players like Marcus Smart on the bench. And lastly, against my better judgment, I’m going to believe that Kevin Durant can help take this team to the playoffs and beyond again. The slim reaper can still fill it up night to night and with Van Vleet back to trigger the offense, he should be a little bit happier this year…right? It’s an important year for this core and head coach Ime Udoka, and with increased urgency I believe we’ll see improved play.

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