2026-27 NBA Preview

Believe it or not it is basketball season. Here are some of my brief thoughts surrounding each team in the association. Comment what you are most looking forward to for the 2026-27 NBA season!

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Boston Celtics

Team Preview

The Celtics are entering a new phase of their organization with Jaylen Brown being traded to the rival 76ers in the offseason. Despite all the "can Brown and Tatum work together?" conversations we have had over the past near decade, ultimately that duo did bring Boston another championship and the Celtics lost a top 15-20 player in Brown. Despite this, I do not expect any fall off from Boston. Tatum coming in fully healthy is a top 10 player in the league with good depth pieces around them. Once again expect Boston to be a contender out East.

X-Factor: Which young wing becomes the most important role player?

Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh are all players that I believe in. They will be relied upon to have a slight uptick in scoring, but more importantly need to be plus defenders in order to see the court. If one or two of them can be reliable NBA players, then the Celtics will be elite.

Brooklyn Nets

Team Preview

There are lots of things that I am excited to watch for in Brooklyn this year. Jordi Fernandez is a top 10 coach in the league, rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr is an exciting prospect, I believe that Nolan Traore and Egor Demin will take year two leaps, MPJ and Julius Randle will be able to put up all-star level stats, and Day'Ron Sharpe finally gets a chance to be a starter. All things to be excited about. Despite the excitement in Brooklyn being the highest I can remember, the Nets still won't be very good. I can see them pushing for a play-in spot, but do not expect them to be a serious contender.

X-Factor: How can the young guard duo exist together?

Michael Porter Jr and Julius Randle are the best players on the roster and will be the reason the Nets win total increases this year, but they are not the players that the Nets organization cares about the most. Mikel Brown Jr and Egor Demin are the foundations of the franchise, and seeing them be able to have competitive minutes on the court together is the most important thing for the Nets to see this year.

New York Knicks

Team Preview

Not much to say here. The reigning champion Knicks are going to be very good again. They bring back most of the rotation from last year. While they did not make many moves in the offseason, and I typically do not love the "run it back" mentality, there is no reason to doubt New York.

X-Factor: Is there any championship hangover?

That is the fear for any reigning champ, right? We reached the mountain top, now what? I am curious to see if the Knicks have enough fire and fight to get back to the peak.

Philadelphia 76ers

Team Preview

The 76ers made the two biggest moves of the offseason. Adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to the roster gives them what looks like the best starting 5 in the league. There are dozens of questions surrounding the cohesiveness of the roster, and the depth, but the talent alone should be enough to contend. We will see where the usage goes. I expect Maxey and JB to lead the team in scoring, with LeBron playing a facilitator role. LeBron and Maxey led the NBA in fast break points a year ago, with JB also being in the top 10, so expect points galore.

X-Factor: Can Joel Embiid stay healthy?

Embiid is not at the top of his powers anymore, mostly due to years of dealing with injuries. Even so, Embiid can be a dominant force. If he can play roughly 50 games and be ready to go for the playoffs, there is no reason Philadelphia can't beat anybody on any given night.

Toronto Raptors

Team Preview

The Raptors are the exact archetype of team that I love. Insane defensive mentality with an exciting young coach, and now they have a bonafide superstar with the return of Kawhi Leonard. The addition of Kawhi truly unlocks the full potential of this team. It takes the offensive load off of Scottie Barnes, meaning Barnes should be able to be a 1st team all-defensive member. The defensive ceiling of this team. Imagine a lineup of Jamal Shead, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin-Murray Boyles. Phew! If Barrett is the guy you want to pick on, good luck.

X-Factor: Will they have enough outside shooting?

The Raptors were in the bottom half of the league last year from behind the arc. The thing that will prevent them from making a deep postseason run is if this problem exists again. I do not know if there is enough perimeter shooting on the roster as it stands. Immanuel Quickley being healthy may be a big help in this department.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Chicago Bulls

Team Preview

I think the Bulls are going to be stuck in the play-in purgatory once again, but I do like what they are building under new GM Bryson Graham. Proven NBA players in Josh Giddey, Norman Powell and Nic Claxton surrounding their young wings in Buzelis and Wilson lay a good foundation for the future. They are going to be too good to truly suck, but I do not think I believe in them enough to label them a true playoff contender.

X-Factor: Let Wilson get all the reps possible.

Easier said than done in my opinion. Giddey and Powell both need the ball to be effective and Buzelis is someone who has proven they can provide some on ball juice. Typically I would want Wilson to learn and make mistakes on the ball, but I think he might be limited in his on ball creation as a rookie. If he can get some reps, while learning how to excel as an off-ball forward, that will be the most ideal outcome for Chicago as they try to return to relevance.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Preview

It seems like you can always pencil in the Cavaliers for 50+ wins. Will they ever turn it up in the postseason? That is forever the question. While I like the addition of Peyton Watson, I do still wish they had addressed the wing/forward depth a little more. I have no regular season concerns for the Cavs, but I am no firmly in "have to see it to believe it" territory when it comes to truly expecting them to go compete for a ring.

X-Factor: Can their wing depth be enough defensively?

Who will guard the other teams best perimeter player? Peyton Watson will likely draw this assignment, but will he be up to the task?

 

Detroit Pistons

Team Preview

The Pistons caught the league by storm a year ago, winning 60 games and winning the Eastern Conference. Did they catch lightning in a bottle? Or was their success a one time thing? Much like the Cavs before, I think the Pistons are built for regular season success, but may have extreme limitations when we get to the playoffs. Once again I do not think they did a great job finding someone to take the on-ball load off of Cade, although I do predict rookie guard Ebuka Okorie to have a larger impact than expected. The addition of John Collins might be underrated as well, as I think he is a good compliment to the roster. I think the Pistons will be good again, the question just will be how good.

X-Factor: Can they find Cunningham some help in the backcourt?

I like Daniss Jenkins. I am a big fan of Okorie. I even predict Okorie to make an all-rookie team. But is that truly enough to take away some of the historical load that Cade Cunningham has to bear? I have my doubts.

Indiana Pacers

Team Preview

Nothing else matters except for the fact that Tyrese Haliburton is back. NBA fans rejoice! Even if it takes Hali a moment to get back in the groove, the Pacers will win games. Whether or not they can get back to where they were two years ago (the NBA Finals) remains to be seen, but this is a team that should be firmly in the playoff mix.

X-Factor: Can Haliburton have an immediate impact?

How long will it take Haliburton to become the top 5 PG that he was prior to his devastating injury? The quicker he does, the more wins Indiana has. I'm not sure there are 10 players who impact winning as much as Hali and I am excited to watch him get back on the NBA court.

Milwaukee Bucks

Projected Lineup

Maybe I am wrong but I have very little expectations for the Milwaukee Bucks. I just do not believe in the roster at all. I am not sure there are many true building block for the team also. Personally, I think Milwaukee has one of the bleakest futures in the association. I expect them to be a deadline seller. Maybe this is pessimistic, but they will be a lottery team.

X-Factor: Can Kasparas Jakucionis and Brayden Burries show flashes?

These are the two prospects that have the most potential for this roster. While I do not expect Taylor Jenkins to give them tons of wiggle room to start the season, I hope to see them on the floor often towards the end of the season. 

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Atlanta Hawks

Team Preview

The Hawks ended the season as one of the hottest teams in the NBA and carried that over into the playoffs, as they were able to get 2 wins off of the future NBA champions Knicks. How much of that was real though? During their hot stretch, Atlanta faced very little competition. I think there is a lot of validity to the hesitations, but I also think the Hawks are a good team. Two things can be true. Jalen Johnson broke out last year and I am looking forward to seeing what he adds to his game. Kingston Flemings and Aaron Wiggins joining the team are fun additions, and I still hold a lot of Asa Newell stock. I think the Hawks will be good, but the East has improved significantly this year. How many wins can Atlanta reach?

X-Factor: Big man depth.

Onyeka Okungwu is an undersized center. Atlanta showed faith in last year's midseason acquisition Jock Landale by giving him a a decent sized contract. Is that enough center depth to compete with the Embiid's and KAT's of the East? Will Henri Veesaar factor into the rotation?

Charlotte Hornets

Team Preview

Statistically the Hornets were one of the best teams in the entire league after the turn of the new year a season ago. They have lots of fun players. I legitimately love the majority of the players on their roster. But they traded their engine. The loss of LaMelo Ball will see Charlotte take a step back this season. They will still be one of the more entertaining watches in the league, but they will be closer to 40 wins than 50.

X-Factor: Will Knueppel or Miller be the main man?

Both Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller are exciting young players that will hopefully be in Charlotte for a long time. With the departure of Ball, it is now time for one of them to become the true face of the franchise. I believe Knueppel is the better overall player, but at this stage of their careers Miller might have more on-ball juice, and I am excited to see how the organization utilizes their skillsets as they enter a new era in Charlotte.

Miami Heat

Team Preview

Yes, the on court offense might be clunky. Yes, there are question marks about the backcourt depth. Yes, I question their outside shooting. Yes, Giannis doesn't look good wearing #7. I don't care. Miami added Giannis Antetokounmpo to their roster, which means they are going to be very good. When Giannis plays, his teams are good. Even last year, with a crappy Bucks roster, they won games that he played in. There is more talent surrounding Giannis on this roster, and he has one of the best coaches in the history of the game. While I do think this team might have its limitations come playoff time, they should win lots of regular season games. (P.S. don't be surprised if rookie Ryan Conwell plays significant minutes later in the season). 

X-Factor: Can they make enough threes?

Klay Thompson is past his prime, but he is still a threat. But he is the only movement shooter on the team. Tim Hardaway Jr and Andrew Wiggins are going to have to shoot lights out in order for Miami to make it to the Finals. 

Orlando Magic

Team Preview

I like lots of the players on the Magic roster, I just do not know if I am in love with the cohesiveness and fit of the roster. I am still a believer in Paolo to be a franchise player. I look forward to Franz being healthy this year. Jevon Carter, Jamal Cain, Anthony Black, and Goga Bitadze are all bench players I like. That being said it is still a clunky fit. Desmond Bane really is the only legitimate threat from beyond the arc. New head coach Sean Sweeney is known as a defensive guy, so will the new regime figure out some of the offensive woes that have plagued the Magic for the past few season? Time will tell. The Magic are too talented to miss the playoffs, but with the depth of the rest of the conference improving, I see the 6 seed as the ceiling for Orlando.

X-Factor: Jalen Suggs.

Jalen Suggs impacts winning. Simply put the Magic win more games when Suggs plays. But Suggs needs to be better offensively. And he needs to be healthy too. If they can get their shooting splits near what they were in 2023-24 and plays 65+ games, then he might just be one of the most impactful players in the association.

Washington Wizards

Team Preview

Man, I do not know if I believe in the Wizards, but boy am I excited about the potential! They have size and length galore with George, Dybantsa, AD, and Sarr. Trae Young should hopefully be able to facilitate the offense. Dybantsa is NBA ready in lots of facets, but the best part is he shouldn't have to shoulder the load himself. Trae Young and Anthony Davis should be able to carry the offense, at least to begin the season. I am slightly less optimistic about the win total than some, but I do think this will be the most fun and successful Washington team since John Wall.

X-Factor: AJ Dybantsa.

He is the franchise headliner. Even if Trae Young and AD look like the past versions of their superstar selves, Dybantsa is the franchise. Seeing him engage defensively and improve in his processing of the game as a rookie will set him up to be a top player in this league for the next decade.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

Denver Nuggets

Team Preview

They have Nikola Jokic, so I will not doubt them. They have Nikola Jokic, so they will win lots of basketball games. But man I feel like the Nuggets needed to do more. The rest of the league just has too much talent. The team is too dependent on Aaron Gordon. Without Gordon, who on this team can play defense? They added DeMar DeRozan to be some scoring punch off the bench, but who plays in the second unit with him? The defensive question marks and lack of depth scare me. But my first point stands, they have Nikola Jokic, so I will not doubt them.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Lineup

G: LaMelo Ball / Ayo Dosunmu

G: Anthony Edwards / Jaylen Clark

F: Jonathan Kuminga / Terrence Shannon Jr

F: Jaden McDaniels

C: Rudy Gobert / Joan Beringer

Team Preview

I'll say it, Minnesota is the team I am most excited to watch this season. From the addition of LaMelo Ball to the new logo and uniforms, it is going to be such a fresh and exciting year to be a Timberwolves fan. LaMelo and Ant should be the most dynamic backcourt in the league, providing rim pressure and elite perimeter threats. Ant is the best (I won't count Curry) shooter in the NBA. LaMelo will thrive off of playing off Gobert screens. Kuminga and McDaniels have the needed athleticism to play off the backcourt, and Gobert will once again be one of the best defensive anchors in the league. I do not know what their realistic ceiling is, but I do think a Western Conference Finals appearance is in the realm of possibility.

X-Factor: Will they have enough depth if injuries happen?

To start the season I have no true worries about this roster. But what happens if one of the starting five goes down for an extended amount of time? Will a bench rotation of Ayo Dosunmu, Jaylen Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr, and Joan Beringer be enough to keep them competitive at the top of the West? Will Isaiah Evans or Trey Lyles ever need to play meaningful minutes? Does Donte DiVincenzo ever come back? I like the roster the Wolves built surrounding their stars, but if they want to compete for a championship, I think these are all valid questions.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Team Preview

OKC will once again be a dominant force atop the NBA, and this year they will have a chip on their shoulder. Scary news for everyone else in the league. Aday Mara gives them another elite rim protector on the roster, adding him to their already very good rotation.

X-Factor: Health.

I truly couldn't think of anything else. If nobody on their roster gets injured then they will be one of the three best teams in the league at worst. Even is someone DOES get hurt, they will probably be one of the best teams in the league.

Portland Trail Blazers

Team Preview

They have interesting collection of players. They have a bunch of guards, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Donovan Clingan. I do not know what to make of it. What will be their go to lineup? In this roster Jrue Holiday will be more of a wing than a guard. Who will start next to Dame? Scoot? Ja? Jrue? Very curious to see. I think Scoot Henderson will take a big step this year, as he has three different all star guards to learn from, all who play a different way. The biggest question for this team is of course, Ja Morant. While the discourse surrounding Ja often goes to far on both sides, Ja will still have a large impact for the team. If it is starting or leading the second unit remains to be seen. I am curious if he stays on the team past this year. It was a buy low for the Blazers. All of this is to say, they will be good, but not good enough to be a solidified playoff team.

X-Factor: Wing/Front court depth.

We talked a little about their guard depth. They have no depth outside of that. Robert Williams is the backup big (quality backup with injury concerns) then who is it? Vit Krejci, Sidy Cissoko? Do we go even further and say Micah Potter or Jeremy Sochan? If I was a Blazers fan I would be fearful of my team's wing depth.

Utah Jazz

Projected Lineup

G: Keyonte George

G: Darryn Peterson / Ace Bailey / Josh Okogie

F: Lauri Markkanen / Brice Sensabaugh

F: Jaren Jackson Jr / Kyle Filipowski

C: Jusuf Nurkic* / Jaxson Hayes

Team Preview

I really like what the Jazz are building. They have a great mix of budding young stars and proven NBA veterans. They will be able to run out some really fun lineups. Will Hardy finally has a roster that feels like it can be competitive. That being said, I think the Jazz are bound to be a 9 seed at best. Which would be a FANTASTIC step in the right direction for them. They are still young, and the West is just too deep for me to take them super seriously. I also think the Jusuf Nurkic injury will be a bigger deal to start the season than some may think. A lot of people are projecting them to be the team that makes the leap this year, but I think they are still one more away.

X-Factor: WINNING!

As you try to enter a new, more successful era as an organization, you more than likely take baby steps. Utah has not won 40 games since Donovan Mitchell left in 2022. Winning 40 games this year is possible and would be a huge success for Utah. Winning being an X-Factor might seem dumb. Of course you want to win! But as a team trying to develop young stars while being competitive, this is difficult. Often you pick one or the other. Utah might be the exception. I think they can win some games while also continuing to develop players such as Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, and Darryn Peterson. If these players can learn how to win early on in their careers, that only means good things for the future of this franchise.

PACIFIC DIVISION

Golden State Warriors

Team Preview

I do not believe in this team. Steph Curry is still great. And that is about it. I think it is very likely Yaxel Lendeborg is going to be the second best player on this team. That is not a good thing! And that is knock on the rookie, but for a team trying to optimize the last few years of Steph Curry, this roster is not good enough. Jimmy Butler won't be back until January at the earliest. They have no center (the Kristaps situation is so weird). They have Steph Curry, so anything is possible, but I predict Golden State to be towards the bottom of the standings.

X-Factor: Draymond Green at center.

With the (literal) disappearance of Kristaps Porzingis, it looks like Draymond is going to be play a lot of time at the 5 this season. The Warriors lack size. Despite his historical greatness, Draymond is an aging player, and at 6'6" will struggle against the elite big men of the game.

Los Angeles Clippers

Team Preview

There are pieces here, but not enough to be a serious threat. They have enough competent NBA players to field a formidable play-in team. They also have lots of players I can see true contenders wanting to complete their rotations come the February deadline. I am very excited to see any minutes that Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler play together. Not sure how that will look, but will be interesting!

X-Factor: The development of Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

Isaiah Jackson will be the starting center for the Clippers, and Brook Lopez is the veteran, but the guy at the 5 position that might be in LA for the long run is sophomore center Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Wagler is the franchise cornerstone, and Garland is likely here for the long run. Nobody else on this roster is a sure fire Clipper for the years to come. With the fallout of the punishment following the Kawhi Leonard investigation, the Clippers need to find hope for the future within. Niederhauser has potential to be a good rim running big man to pair with their backcourt duo.

Los Angeles Lakers

Team Preview

(See Denver Nuggets above) They have Luka Doncic so I will not doubt them. I also am quietly a fan of the moves that the Lakers made in the offseason. Doncic and Reaves very likely can be the highest scoring duo in the league, and Kessler fits this team's needs (on paper) like a glove. The problem is what happens if Kessler misses time? Relying on Kevon Looney for 30+ minutes seem scary. They lack size and shooting on the wing. But I am not sure that matters. Luka and Reaves are an elite offensive duo, and players like Collin Sexton, Quinten Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili (give me Cam Carr and Adou Thiero minutes please!) can play their complimentary roles well. They have Luka Doncic, so they will win lots of games.

X-Factor: What happens if Walker Kessler gets hurt?

Banking on Kessler to be healthy is a big risk for the Purple and Gold. If it happens to happen, I have no doubts that it will be a great fit. But it is scary. If/when Kessler misses time, the Lakers did not do enough to address big men depth. Kevon Looney is the only backup center on the roster. Sandro Mamu and Jarred Vanderbilt playing small ball five would be the other options. And I am not sure that is a great option.

Phoenix Suns

Team Preview

Very interesting team. Despite a down year last year, Devin Booker is still an elite player. Jalen Green has had a whole year to adjust being in Phoenix and is actually starting the season healthy. While I did not like how they acquired him, the addition of Miles Bridges brings some dynamic play at the forward position. I like their bench pieces as well. They have a deeper bench than it may look on paper. Phoenix won 45 games a year ago and I think they can be as good if not better. They have a well rounded team that can compete for one of the last true playoff spots.

X-Factor: Who can be the #1 second option?

Who will be the guy to take some scoring load off of Devin Booker? Jalen Green and Miles Bridges have proven to be 20 PPG scorers in the league and Dillon Brooks averaged 20 a year ago in his breakout offensive year. Devin Booker will lead the way, but who will be the next man up? Will it be one particular guy, or a score by committee?

Sacramento Kings

Team Preview

The Kings will be one of the worst teams once again, but they have a reason to watch this year! Darius Acuff Jr is an exciting rookie and I am looking forward to him hopefully getting full control of the team this season. We will see how many of their veterans stay with the Kings for the whole season. Sacramento is looking to jumpstart its organization and this season will be a big step, giving their PG of the future the keys.

X-Factor: Will Raynaud or Clifford show enough to be considered apart of the future?

Both Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud showed some flashes of talent and potential last year during their rookie season. I am looking to see if either (or both) can take a sophomore leap this year. Can they do enough to be considered a true part of the future of Sacramento? Will they have enough juice to become a building block for the future?

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Dallas Mavericks

Team Preview

I am a firm believer in the Mavericks and first year coach Dusty May. I am excited to see Kyrie Irving back on the court, I think their role players are very good, and I believe Cooper Flagg is a special, special talent. They have the talent to be a fun and competitive team, but there are so many other good teams in the conference that I am not sure the Mavs are bound for anything other than the play-in.

X-Factor: Will they regret their roster construction?

They have length galore, with a plethora of long and athletic wings, but they do lack true depth at the point guard and center positions. They have versatility along the roster to where guys can play in multiple positions in a pinch, but is that ideal for a team trying to win games?

Houston Rockets

Team Preview

Typically a 52 win team that is returning their starting PG would be considered a favorite to compete for a title. However, it seems like the Rockets are almost a forgotten contender. The ugliness of the postseason has left a sour taste in the mouths of fans and many have forgotten about the regular season success that Houston experienced a year ago. They are built for the regular season. They will out rebound you, and that matters a lot in the regular season. I do not think the return of Fred VanVleet can be understated. They desperately needed a guard who could run the offense and hit perimeter shots. Freddy will do that. Despite what the narrative around the team may be at this moment, Houston should compete for home court advantage in the playoffs.

X-Factor: Reed Sheppard.

Not much has changed in this area. Entering year 3, now with playoff experience, I think the time for patience with Sheppard is running low. They need him to hit shots. They do not have a ton of players who can handle the rock and take attention away from Kevin Durant, and they need Sheppard to continue to develop into a trustworthy ball handler.

Memphis Grizzlies

Team Preview

The Grizzlies hit the full reset button, and it seems like they are trying to fully embrace the Grit n Grind tradition of the franchise. GnG 2.0 offers fans lots to be excited about, namely Cameron Boozer. A rookie who has the chance to be a true face of the franchise player. Even after replacing some of the most successful players in franchise history, Grizzlies fans are excited for a fresh start, after a tumultuous last few seasons. If Boozer and Edey can stay healthy, they should be one of the more dominant front courts in the league. They brought in tough and good defensive veterans in Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant. Ty Jerome is someone who can score 20 points per game, and might be in the running for MIP. Cedric Coward, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, and Javon Small are all young players who hopefully continue to develop. There is a lot to be excited about. Despite all this excitement, there is not enough scoring talent on this team to be a playoff contender. There are really good things going on in Memphis as they start their rebuild, a lot to be excited about, but not enough to compete THIS year.

X-Factor: The health of Zach Edey.

If Edey can play the threshold of games, there is no doubt he should be in contention for an All-Defensive team. Despite the narrative that surrounded Edey when he entered the league a few years ago, Edey impacts winning. He rebounds and disrupts opponents, while having a better offensive game than most expected. When Edey was healthy a year ago, the Grizzlies had an elite defensive rating of 98.8 when Edey was on the court a year ago. Edey can anchor an ELITE defense. There is no doubt Edey has the qualities to be a top center in the league. The only question mark is can he be on the court enough to solidify his status amongst the league's big men.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Team Preview

There is a weird amount of optimism surrounding the Pelicans entering the season. Yes I like the addition of Bennedict Mathurin and I understand that Dejounte Murray will be healthy for the whole season, and that they looked a lot better with Murray last season. But this is essentially the exact same roster that won just 26 games a year ago. There is undeniably individual talent on the roster and room for improvement, but it is hard for me to see this team finishing anywhere but the lottery once again.

X-Factor: Sophomore leaps.

What improvements can Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears make in their second year in NOLA? I don't expect anything to be perfect, but if they can improve one of their decision making, efficiency, or defense, that is a huge positive for the Pelicans.

San Antonio Spurs

Team Preview

If I had to put money on any team to lead the NBA in regular season wins, it would be San Antonio. It seems only natural to expect a young team that was a few games away from lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy to improve on the success they endured last season. I really like the additions of Tobias Harris through free agency and Tarris Reed Jr can be a rookie that has positive impact. This addresses the need to add more size and versatility at the forward positions. 

X-Factor: Can they replicate success?

We see this all the time with young teams that burst onto the scene. They look like they are ready to dominate the league, only to fall back down to earth. Think 2022 Grizzlies, 2023 Kings. Even think of teams that made it to the Finals recently such as the Bucks, Nuggets, Mavericks, Celtics, and Thunder. All were expected in some capacity to dominate the NBA postseason. None have. It is HARD to have continued success at the VERY TOP of the NBA. Recent history says it might be unlikely that San Antonio reaches the Finals again. But they have one thing that the other teams didn't, Victor Wembanyama. Can he be the difference? Does he (and the rest of the team) have enough to bring them back to the Finals, and get over the hump? My gut says yes, but they are now amongst the hunted.