The NBA season is only just underway, but already, the race for the championship is heating up with bold predictions, renewed hope, and a fresh cast of contenders. Across the league, analysts, coaches, and players are weighing in on who might hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy come season's end. From Stephen A. Smith's headline-grabbing Mavericks pick, to Jimmy Butler's faith in the Warriors' cerebral approach, and the New York Knicks' energetic rebirth under a new coach, the early storylines are as intriguing as ever.
On October 26, 2025, ESPN's outspoken analyst Stephen A. Smith made waves with his audacious NBA title prediction on the podcast "7 PM in Brooklyn." Smith, never one to shy away from a hot take, declared the Dallas Mavericks as his favorites to win it all—so long as Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis can stay healthy. "If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy and Anthony Davis is healthy, I think Dallas should be the favorite to win it all. Let me tell you why I feel this way," Smith explained, laying out his reasoning with characteristic flair. He pointed to Dallas' recent history against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, recalling how the Mavericks "took out Oklahoma City" the previous year before the Finals stretched to seven games.
Smith's confidence in Dallas isn't just about star power. He highlighted the emergence of rookie Cooper Flagg, the versatility of P.J. Washington, and the depth provided by Lively and Gafford. And, of course, he tipped his hat to head coach Jason Kidd, asserting, "Jason Kidd can coach. I believe that the Dallas Mavericks, if healthy, will win the chip." But Smith didn't gloss over the challenges. He candidly acknowledged the team's health concerns—both Irving and Davis are on the wrong side of 30 and have struggled with injuries throughout their careers. Chemistry and defense, especially in the loaded Western Conference, remain significant question marks.
Even with these caveats, Smith's faith in the Mavericks is unshaken. He admitted to considering other teams, including the Thunder and one other unnamed contender, before ultimately settling on Dallas. "Kyrie and those boys are that Kryptonite," Smith said, emphasizing Irving's unique ability to disrupt even the best-laid plans of opposing teams. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Dallas to see if Smith's bold prediction ages like fine wine or sours under the weight of expectation.
Meanwhile, out west, the Golden State Warriors are quietly crafting their own improbable narrative. Fresh off a dramatic overtime win against the Denver Nuggets that pushed their record to 2-0, veteran forward Jimmy Butler is already talking championship. Drawing inspiration from Magic Johnson's legendary optimism, Butler didn't hesitate when asked if this Warriors group is the smartest he's ever played with. "Yeah, yeah! By far. By far. The smartest group, and the most ‘I know my role and I’m gonna play that role to the T’ group," he enthused after the win.
Butler, now in his 15th NBA season and no stranger to Finals appearances, praised the Warriors' closing lineup of Stephen Curry (37), Draymond Green (35), Al Horford (39), and Jonathan Kuminga. Despite their advanced ages—by NBA standards—Butler believes their collective basketball IQ and self-awareness set them apart. "It’s amazing, it’s amazing. Everybody knows where the ball has to go, what you’re supposed to do when you do get the ball, who to give it to at every second of the game. That’s why we’re going to win a championship," Butler declared.
Coach Steve Kerr, for his part, took a hands-off approach in the Nuggets game, forgoing set plays and letting his veterans improvise. Curry summed up the strategy: "The game called for us to kind of abandon any fancy play calls and just get to spots where we could try to pick ’em apart." The result? A display of basketball intellect and chemistry that has fans and analysts alike wondering if this aging Warriors squad could pull off one of the most unlikely titles in NBA history. With the league increasingly favoring youth and athleticism, Golden State's reliance on experience and smarts is a fascinating counterpoint.
Butler, ever the competitor, isn't shy about setting the bar high. "It’s never too early to talk about what we intend to do. But we got 80 more of these regular-season games, and Steph got an All-Star Game to play in." The Warriors' journey, should it end in a championship, would join the ranks of the league's most surprising triumphs—perhaps even surpassing their own underdog runs in 1975 and 2022.
Back on the East Coast, the New York Knicks are determined to rewrite their own narrative of perennial underachievement. After decades of frustration and a championship drought stretching back fifty years, the Knicks are showing real promise just two games into the 2025-26 campaign. Under new head coach Mike Brown—a two-time NBA Coach of the Year—the Knicks have embraced an up-tempo style, launching a barrage of three-pointers and using a deep rotation to keep legs fresh.
Brown's approach has paid immediate dividends. The Knicks opened the season with a 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by a 105-95 win against the Boston Celtics. Notably, Boston was without All-Star Jayson Tatum, sidelined by an Achilles injury. Brown's willingness to go 10 or 11 deep has allowed stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to stay rested and effective. Brunson, the reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year, poured in 31 points against Boston, while Towns contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Bench contributions have been a key storyline, with forward Josh Hart grabbing 14 rebounds in just 19 minutes during his season debut. Brown is bullish on his team's depth: "I truly believe this team is a deep team. We have guys that can play. I like to play a lot of guys. I don’t know if I can play 11 guys every night, but we’d like to play as many as we can. We want everybody ready in case their number is called at any time." The Knicks have also dominated the glass, collecting 21 offensive rebounds for 21 second-chance points against Boston.
Despite the hot start, Brown and his players are keeping expectations in check. "We don’t feel like we’re anywhere near what we’re capable of. That’s what makes it exciting. Everybody has expectations. I don’t know if their expectations are any higher than everybody in that locker room. We’re good with that. We embrace that," Brown said after the Celtics win. Brunson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for continued improvement and balanced contributions from the bench.
As the NBA season picks up steam, the Mavericks, Warriors, and Knicks each offer compelling reasons for fans to believe. Whether it’s the tantalizing potential of Dallas’ star-studded roster, Golden State’s brainy brand of basketball, or New York’s newfound depth and energy, the early weeks have set the stage for what could be one of the most unpredictable title races in recent memory. One thing’s for sure—nobody’s coasting, and nobody’s counting themselves out just yet.
