Old kings, new kingdoms
THE NBA is back, and for the first time in years, the Eastern Conference looks every bit as dangerous as the West. The New York Knicks are defending champions, LeBron James has found another kingdom to rule, and the Miami Heat have assembled enough firepower to make The Association sweat.
Out West, the kids are growing up, the veterans refuse to surrender, and the Los Angeles Clippers are, well, still the Clippers.
Welcome to the 2026–2027 season, where old kings refuse to abdicate and new kingdoms are being built.
Me thinks this could be the most competitive season in years.
Let’s start in the East, where I see a three-horse race involving the Knicks, Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, with the Cleveland Cavaliers lurking dangerously in the background.
The Knicks finally ended their 53-year championship drought last season. Jalen Brunson has proven you don’t need to be 6-foot-8 to dominate The Association. New York has the continuity, chemistry and swagger of a defending champion.
Speaking of Boston, I believe the Celtics are toast. Sure, Jayson Tatum is back, but losing Jaylen Brown changes everything. Talent alone doesn’t win championships, and Boston’s window may already be closing.
Miami, however, is an entirely different animal.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo joining Bam Adebayo, the Heat have arguably the East’s most intimidating frontcourt. Add the tactical genius of our kababayan Erik Spoelstra, and Miami becomes a legitimate championship threat.
Spoelstra has squeezed deep playoff runs out of lesser rosters. Imagine what he can accomplish with the Greek Freak roaming South Beach.
And don’t overlook Pelle Larsson, a gem off Miami’s bench who could become a difference-maker. The Swedish guard brings the energy and scoring punch championship teams need when their stars rest.
One worrying development, though, is Klay Thompson’s miserable preseason shooting. The four-time champion made just 3-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc, an atrocious 15 percent. That’s hardly what Miami ordered from one of basketball’s greatest shooters.
Not to worry.
No. 10 is there (unretired because he’s Killer Crossover’s son).
Tim Hardaway Jr. is himself a three-point savant, having connected on 224 triples last season at a sterling 40.7-percent clip. Between Hardaway, Thompson and Larsson, Spoelstra should have plenty of options around Giannis and Bam.
Wouldn’t it be something if our kababayan added another championship to his résumé? Then there’s Philadelphia, where LeBron begins his record 24th NBA season alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and former Celtic Brown.
Twenty-four seasons! Some players entering The Association weren’t even born when LeBron made his debut.
The Sixers are loaded, but their biggest opponent might be Father Time. Can Embiid stay healthy? Can LeBron still summon his playoff brilliance? And can all those stars coexist without demanding separate basketballs? Cleveland, meanwhile, has Donovan Mitchell and enough talent to spoil everybody’s plans.
Toronto is another puzzle. Kawhi Leonard is back where he won his 2019 championship, but can the oft-injured superstar finally abandon load management? And what powers does The Klaw have left without those controversial endorsement deals that helped land the Clippers in salary-cap trouble? Perhaps Toronto will finally get the Kawhi, who actually shows up for work.
I digress.
Out West, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Houston are my favorites.
Victor Wembanyama is no longer merely basketball’s future. His combination of height, mobility and defensive instincts is already terrifying. The Spurs look ready to go one better than last season.
Oklahoma City isn’t surrendering its place among the elite. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains among basketball’s most complete offensive players, and the Thunder have youth, depth and defensive tenacity.
Houston intrigues me even more. Kevin Durant remains a walking bucket, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson provide the young legs and versatility to make the Rockets dangerous. Don’t also underestimate the return of Fred VanVleet, widely ranked among the top undrafted players in NBA history.
And don’t sleep on Denver.
Nikola Jokic possesses such ethereal basketball talent that watching him sometimes feels like witnessing a magician performing tricks nobody else understands. The Joker doesn’t merely play basketball. He conducts an orchestra.
Notice I haven’t mentioned the Lakers? That’s intentional.
With LeBron gone, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are Hollywood’s Batman and Robin. Unfortunately, roster turnover, lingering injury concerns and questions about their chemistry make Los Angeles a work in progress rather than a legitimate contender.
And the Clippers? Me thinks they’ll again be the doormats of Los Angeles basketball. At least they’re consistent.
As for Stephen Curry, never underestimate someone who can turn a game upside down with three consecutive shots from another ZIP code.
But this season belongs to a changing of the guard.
My early Finals prediction? Miami against San Antonio — Part 3: The rubber match.
The Heat won in 2013, the Spurs exacted revenge in 2014. Twelve years later, the franchises could finally settle the score, with our kababayan Spoelstra again pulling the strings from Miami’s bench.
Me thinks it’s about time.
