Overview
- The New York Post places the Oklahoma City Thunder at the top after strong opening wins and because they remain the 2025 champions expected to contend again.
- The Philadelphia 76ers sit near the top on the strength of victories over the defending champions and the Celtics with LeBron James still a central title factor.
- The defending champion New York Knicks are ranked highly by reputation despite an 0-2 start that the Post says must be overcome to change their standing.
- Several health and availability problems are flagged as near-term wildcards, including Detroit’s Jalen Duren hamstring issue, a list of long absences for Golden State players, and Miami’s 0-3 start with Bam Adebayo underperforming.
- The piece stresses this is an early, sample-size limited snapshot and notes other teams such as San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama and the Lakers dependent on Walker Kessler could rise or fall as rotations and injuries settle.