About halfway through the 2025-2026 NBA season, a lot is shaping up to be an exciting but confusing season. So much diversity of storylines or star power has shaped the league into a very competitive market.
**TOP TEAMS**
**1\. San Antonio Spurs**
The San Antonio Spurs may not have the statistical feats other teams do so far this season, but what they do have is wins over big name squads. Mainly three big wins against a certain team that rhymes with “plunder”. Victor Wembanyama is one of those players you watch and just think, “how do you even guard that?” as he hits a fadeaway three pointer. The Spurs not only have him, but some amazing young guards that are developing each week. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are a great young duo helping lead the Spurs while Wemby has dealt with some knee issues. Their constant success and big wins is why they are currently the team to beat in the NBA.
**2\. Oklahoma City Thunder**
The Thunder are the big dogs now. Barking post game has lost its luster for NBA fans, and now they want the team at the top to fall. They are led by reigning league and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is poised to be a two time MVP by the end of the year. After starting the season 25-1, the Thunder has stumbled a little. A “record breaking” year has now turned into a question of are they the best team anymore? They are still amazing, but they can’t beat their new rivals who are just 470 miles away down in Texas. I do think they will stay as the one seed, but some real questions will arise if they don’t find a way to beat strong opponents.
**3\. Detroit Pistons**
The Detroit Pistons have been a fun new team not many were expecting to rule the Eastern Conference. Detroit has taken advantage of a weaker East by crushing any opponent they can with star guard Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has been wrecking havoc from all parts of the court, and is leading a great offense and defense. Detroit has not seen success like this since their great years in the early 2000s. So far this season they seem like the best pick to win the East, but they have to prove themselves when it matters come spring.
**4\. New York Knicks**
The New York Knicks were early season favorites to make the finals, and this season they are doing their best to prove it. They don’t have the best record in the conference, but a big Emirates NBA Cup win has brought a lot of momentum and excitement to Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson, once again, is leading his Knicks to success with a similar supporting cast to last year’s squad. Some numbers vary from player to player, but the overall teams success has given New York hope to win their first finals in almost fifty years.
**5\. Denver Nuggets**
The Denver Nuggets have been a great team since the start of the decade. The main reason? A large European man who loves horses. Nikola Jokic is a triple double winning machine who doesn’t really seem to care that much about being there. It is amazing that we could be watching one of the greatest players in NBA history. Jokic’s success has now become the usual, but when he went down for injury the Nuggets still didn’t falter. Denver has found success with Jamal Murray and trade asset Cameron Johnson from the Nets. The Nuggets are still one of the best teams in the NBA who seem to always put up competitive games no matter the opponent or scenario. When it comes playoff time, the true determining factor is if the Nuggets can find their clutch gene against teams like the Spurs, Thunder, Lakers or Timberwolves.
**BOTTOM TEAMS**
**5.** **Brooklyn Nets**
The Nets claim this spot rather than the closely bad Utah Jazz, but some crazy upsets keeps Utah above Brooklyn. Brooklyn, what has never really seemed to work. The last real joy found from the Nets was a couple years ago with three stars to make a “super” team that resulted in disappointment. Each year feels the same since; not much development with young talent, or true winning now signings. Michael Porter Jr. is a great talent, but when he is the key player to an offense to spread the ball, it is not going to lead to winning basketball. The Nets currently hold the worst offense in the NBA at 109.3 points per game. While offense is horrendous, they do have a saving grace having the ninth best defense only giving up 114 points per game.
**4\. Washington Wizards**
The Washington Wizards seem like they have so much young talent that can be nurtured into something more. The only problem is that they are stuck in DC which hasn’t developed many stars of their own since John Wall and Bradley Beal. This current DC team could change this in a couple years, but so far this season their mixture of washed vets and inexperienced rookies has led to inefficient offense and horrible defense. They have the second worst defense in the NBA giving up 124.2 points per game. They made a blockbuster trade to the Atlanta Hawks for star PG Trae Young, but with his lack of defense this rating might not be affected too much by it.
**3\. New Orleans Pelicans**
The Pelicans are young. Too young for their own good. They have great young talent, but they are struggling to find success. Zion Williamson is supposed to be the savior of the Big Easy, but injuries keep derailing his efforts. Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen look to be gems in their draft class, but they can not pick up all of the struggles from the three point line. The Pels are the second worst three point shooting team at only 33.7% behind the arc.
**2.** **Sacramento Kings**
The Kings do not have much to be happy about. Their most intriguing factor in their season has been veteran Russell Westbrook making history every week with point guard and scoring records. Although there is slight intrigue, it has not led to winning. So many former All-Stars are on this team, making it seem like it could work. Damontis Sabonis, Demar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Westbrook have all seemed to pass their peaks. They can’t mesh together to win, even with their best efforts.
**1.** **Indiana Pacers**
The Pacers have been one of the sadder teams to watch this season. An amazing, magical and some New York fans saying “demonic” playoff run last season gave Indiana so much fun, with an unfortunate end in star guard Tyrese Haliburton going down in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It seems the team has struggled to recover physically and mentally from the loss, as they hold the worst record in the NBA. Railing off 13 straight losses is a good way to show that the season might already be over for Indiana with very little chances of coming back. Hopefully without injuries, the Pacers can find their way out of the bottom of the NBA, but for now they are the worst team in the NBA.
**MOST VALUABLE PLAYER**
**1.** **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**
Gilgeous-Alexander is the most modern day equivalent to Michael Jordan. It is a bold claim, but SGA is putting up numbers that are only equivalent to the greatest of all-time. Whether SGA can keep it up is the question on how great he can be. Arguments against SGA are that he gets too many free throws or it is a different era. While these can slightly be argued in ways, SGA doesn’t average the most free throws in the NBA at only 8.2 made per game. What the biggest difference is between him and a lot of players is his shooting ability, especially one on one in the mid-range area. OKC can rely on him whenever they need a crucial basket, and put him one on one in the post where he will get that bucket. Averaging 32 points per game with the best team record in the NBA will get you to the top of the NBA Ladder.
**2.** **Nikola Jokic**
He is arguably the best player in the modern era. But, Jokic and SGA are the best for different reasons. Jokic looks like the most versatile offensive player ever, even better than Stephen Curry. It comes from unexpected grounds, since being picked in the second round of the draft very rarely leads to any form of success in the league. Jokic was drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, and this year to honor that he came to the arena wearing Taco Bell merchandise and then proceeded to drop a triple double as he usually does. Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists a game. I think the thing holding him back from the spotlight is his desire for the sport. Weirdly, Jokic seems to care more for his horses in Serbia rather than the NBA Finals.
**3.** **Luka Doncic**
Doncic has been on a revenge tour in some ways since he joined the Los Angeles Lakers. While he didn’t go to LA by choice, he has made the best of it having one of his best seasons in his career. Being traded by Dallas to LA, Luka is putting up monster numbers night after night combining with Austin Reaves and LeBron James. All of the hate Luka has gotten over the years has been his motivation to get better every game. Step back threes, flashy passes and some loud talk has made him and the Lakers one of the most exciting teams to watch.
**4.** **Cade Cunningham**
Cunningham is making his name this season and he is doing it loudly. Pistons are taking the East anyway they can, and it is through the players they drafted. The best of that bunch being the 6-foot-6 24-year-old Cunningham. He is one of the best, if not the best, point guard in the NBA. The way he uses his speed and passing is hard for defenses to keep up with. He also has the size and strength to drive downhill to flush a bucket with both finesse and force. With so much talent in the NBA, it has been hard for his performance to be in national attention, but Cunningham could make an MVP push to end the season.
**5.** **Jaylen Brown**
He is probably the unexpected name on this list. Brown coming into this year was compared to 2021 Bradley Beal. A shooting guard who will score a lot but lose a lot with no team support. A lot has been said about Brown and the Celtics with multiple trades and stars like Jayson Tatum going down with injury. It has been the complete opposite scenario than expected, as Brown has led the Celtics to one of the top teams in the East when no one expected him to. His offensive output has been great, but it is his effort in leading the team that has been so impressive. Averaging 29.7 points per game puts him at fifth best in the NBA and it could be an exciting playoffs once Tatum comes back to team with Brown.
**DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR**
**1\. Kelal Ware**
Ware has been a fun young surprise for the Miami Heat. The second-year 7-foot center is having career highs especially on the defensive end. Ware has been a shutdown defender around the paint, marking his territory with 1.2 blocks and 0.7 steals per game. Along with his numbers, he also is fourth in defensive player rating at 106.7 just above SGA. Ware is only 21 years old and has the potential to improve both sides of the court, and could maybe get to DPOY levels of success.
**3.** **Scottie Barnes**
Barnes is one of TikToks favorites, being a goofy player on and off the court. His personality makes a lot of the media overlook Barnes, but he is a hooper. He has led the Raptors this season and it helps when his on ball defense has been so good. Barnes is averaging 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game filling up lanes of offense. Barnes has the potential to become a Kawhi Leonard type of player, understanding each part of the court and how to attack it with no hesitation.
**4.** **Rudy Gobert**
He is always going to be a great defensive player. The multi-time defensive player of the year has shown year after year that you cannot bring anything weak into his paint. Ignoring off-court issues during 2020, Gobert has little reason to be criticized for anything on the court. This year has been similar to years past when Gobert racks up blocks, with him swatting 1.6 blocks per game. It is slightly down, but his presence is known to force other turnovers on kick outs from the paint and quick fastbreak opportunities develop because of it.
**5.** **Tyrese Maxey**
Maxey has been such a fun breakout guard to watch over the past couple seasons. Joel Embiid was viewed as the star of Philadelphia since “The Process” over 10 years ago. Maxey not only scores at a high threshold but also plays quick defense. He uses his hands to poke the ball loose from defenders to start a quick break for the 76ers. Averaging about 1.8 steals per game gets the Sixers moving and Maxey passes it quickly. He is averaging over 30 points and 7.1 assists per game along with this. Having a great play on offense and defense will help not only Maxey progress, but the rest of the Sixers too.
**BREAKOUTS**
**1.** **Jaylen Brown**
Brown is sort of becoming a leader of his own team. He had the perception of being a second-option or a fringe All-Star player. This season, Brown has proved his haters wrong by leading the Celtics to the third best record in the East. He has been known as a good player, but one with a lot of weaknesses that would nott be fit to lead a team. Brown has not only shut the noise out, but created noise of his own by having multiple star performances on the year. Just this month, on the third, Brown hit his career high of 50 points against the Clippers. His star power is putting the league on notice and the Celtics will be feared once again come playoff time.
**2.** **Deni Avdija**
Avdija on the Trailblazers has been such a thrilling player to see. Getting the chance to watch him live last year, I got to see in person the effort he puts into each possession. Avdija is averaging the most points in his career and a lot of it is due to his constant pressure he puts on the paint. He is averaging 26.3 points per game which is the most in Portland since Damian Lillard got traded in 2023. Avdija is also averaging 7.2 rebounds and 7 assists per game which shows the all-around threat he brings each game. The Blazers have not found the desired team success, but they could be a feisty play-in team come playoffs.
**3\. Kevonte George**
George is a hot shooter. The third year guard/forward has made a big jump in his game from being a role player to being the leading scorer in Utah. George is averaging 24.1 points per game and has had some big performances against quality squads. In a thrilling overtime game against the Dallas Mavericks, George got 37 points and six assists to secure the win against the star studded Texas team. George being so young gives him the ability to get better with years to come, and at the current progression rate could be leading the Jazz to playoff games in the next few seasons.
**4.** **Dillon Brooks**
He has been a mixed bag between fan engagement. Brooks has never shied away from fighting for himself or teammates during and out of plays. A controversial player who plays aggressive hands on defense has become one of the most respected defenders of this generation in the NBA. Now with the Phoenix Suns, Brooks is elevating his game to new bounds unseen in his career. Averaging 21.2 points per game is a seven point jump to what he was averaging last year, and it has helped the Suns win way more games than expected. A big moment this season for Brooks was when he hit a deep contested three pointer to take a four point lead late against OKC, and it showed the confidence and skill Brooks has gained this year in the desert.
**5\. Norman Powell**
Last year on the Clippers, he showed that he could explode in bursts on the offensive side of the ball. When players went down, Powell, in what was his 13th season, stepped up and put on clinics. He finished that year with 21.8 points per game, and this year he traveled to South Beach to heat up his game. Now he is averaging a career high 24.3 points per game with 49% shooting from the field. The Heat has risen to people’s expectations and are favorites to make the playoffs come spring.
**ROOKIES OF THE YEAR**
**1.** **Kon Knueppel**
He is not the name expected to be the front runner in ROTY, but he and the Hornets don’t care. Knueppel has been an amazing weapon on Charlotte’s offense this season with some great highlights to go with it. Being one of the most efficient shooters in the draft this early on has made him the favorite for rookie of year and he seems to only be getting better with the passing weeks. Knueppel is averaging 19.3 points per game 47.4% from the field and a very strong 42.9% from three.
**2.** **Cooper Flagg**
Flagg is the biggest fish and the most sought out draft pick in a long time. Many players have these types of expectations, and most of the time the shoes are too big to fill. Flagg’s shoes to fill might as well be Shaq’s from the expectations the rookie has to meet, and halfway through the season he is starting to find his rhythm. Flagg has a slightly slow start to the year, but in the past month he has found a groove. He is now averaging 18.9 points per game, putting him closely in the running with Knueppel.
**3.** **VJ Edgecombe**
He was one of the bigger names in the draft, and he went to a squad expecting greatness out of him to begin with. While most rookies in the draft have been inefficient shooters, Edgecombe makes up for it with his hustle and speed. Averaging 1.5 steals and half a block per game is helping the 76ers move quickly down the court, and VJ’s explosiveness at the rim makes him a force to be reckoned with.
**4.** **Derrick Queen**
Queen has filled his role properly in New Orleans, and has made an impact immediately. Averaging 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists is leading the Pelicans in both stats, combining well with Zion Williamson to make the Pelicans a competitive team. Alongside rookie Jeremiah Fears, both rookies look to make the Pelicans dark horses for the future and possible championships if they progress correctly with one another.
**5.** **Cedric Coward**
Coward is the WSU alumni and Cougars fan vote of course. Coward joined the Grizzlies in the NBA draft to join Jaylen Wells, another former Cougar ball player. Coward has made a strong name for himself despite being a mid-first-round pick. Averaging the second most rebounds in the class at 6.6 rebounds and 13.7 points per game is a good way to make your name heard league wide. The Grizzlies haven’t found much team success, but Coward is starting his career strong.
**MIDSEASON CHAMPION**
Based on the current structure of the NBA prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, much can change with some teams who could be eager to make a move. At the moment, the current favorites to hoist Larry O’Brien have to be the San Antonio Spurs and repeating favorites Oklahoma City Thunder. They both show team dominance, yet also have stars that shine in the brightest moments. When the two have clashed, the Alien Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs to three wins against what is heavily considered the best team in the NBA. When Wemby can use his 7 ‘5 frame to its best, the Spurs seem to be the most unbeatable team in the NBA. At this point in the season, the San Antonio Spurs look like the next NBA Champions.