The NBA is typically one of the least predictable sports leagues on the planet. Whereas, in other sports leagues, such as the Premier league, you can almost always predict which teams will do well, for example, the Premier League has been won by only 2 different teams in the last 8 years (Liverpool and Manchester City). The NBA, however, has had 7 different teams winning the championship in the last 8 years. This makes it one of the most exciting leagues in the world, because there is always a chance for an unexpected team to win or perform well. For example, imagine telling someone that in 2025 the 4th seeded Indiana Pacers would go on a historic run and end up being one game away from the championship. Only for an Achilles tear to their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, to ruin their chance in potentially the most important game of their careers. This volatile nature of the league is what makes the NBA one of, if not the most exciting yet difficult to predict leagues.

1.        The Oklahoma City Thunder:

The reigning champions have continued their dominant form, sitting atop of the Western conference sitting at 12 wins and only 1 loss, after their 29-point victory over the LA Lakers, who themselves are a solid team. Their team is headed by the current league MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His excellent offensive capabilities have carried on to this season, as well as the teams overall defensive prowess from players such as Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams has kept them as firm favourites to win it all. 

2.        The Houston Rockets:

One of the most electric teams in the league, who ended last season as the second seed in the West. Their youth and lack of experience was exposed and exploited in the playoffs however, as the Golden State Warriors narrowly beat them in 7 games. After the season they made a blockbuster trade, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick for the experienced Kevin Durant, an ex-MVP. With the added experience of the 2-time champion, who led Championship winning teams in 2017 and 2018 (winning the respective finals MVPs for both), the Rockets look like a formidable team. He also has experience leading youthful teams as he (as the sole leader) took the Bucks to 7 games, leading an inexperienced Brooklyn Nets team, only losing because his toe was over the 3-point line in the dying seconds of the 7-game thriller. With this team the blend of youthful, athletic players such as Amen Thompson, and the experience of KD there shouldn’t be anything stopping them from being able to win it all.

3.        The Cleveland Cavaliers:

Despite sitting in 4th place in the Eastern conference currently, the main reason for them being on this list their situation, being placed in a historically weak Eastern conference, where many of the top players such as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are severely injured and the healthy players like Giannis or Embiid are stuck in teams where they cannot thrive due to a lack of coherent help. This means that the Cavaliers, who have high calibre players such as the scoring machine Donovan Mitchell, and the reigning DPOY (defensive player of the year), Evan Mobley. For them, the difficulty won’t be getting deep into the playoffs, it will be about the ability to get over the final hump. This can only happen if all their players begin to work together and play at their best. It is only early in the season, hence why the league table isn’t being considered too much and this also means they have time to develop as a unit.

4.        The San Antonio Spurs:

Despite being arguably better than the Cavs, they are behind them in this poll due to their geography. With the West already containing not only the 2 best teams, but overall stiffer competition than the East, I predict the chances of the Spurs being able to make the finals is considerably lower than the Cavs. Their route to the finals would be hammered by difficult opposition, as already mentioned. The LA Lakers, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are proving themselves as one of the best teams offensively. Nikola Jokic in Denver is showing why he is still one of the best players in the league, putting up extremely efficient scoring and passing numbers. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves have made 2 straight Western Conference finals, they are always a factor in making life difficult for teams. With the Western conference being such a bloodbath, you might be wondering why the Spurs are even on this list. There is one answer: Victor Wembanyama. The 7ft 5 Frenchman is proving himself to be one of the forerunners for the illusive MVP award, as he is not only putting up unheard of stats, he is also showing off a multitude of skills, consistent 3 pointers and literally dominating the opposition to get close to the rim and dunk the ball. The rest of the team is solid, especially their young players stepping up and helping Wemby thrive.

5. The New York Knicks:

After the previously mentioned difficulty of the West, it is only logical that the final team on the list is an Eastern conference team. The Knicks are a solid team, making the conference finals last year, and beating the 2024 champions the Celtics on the way. They are an undeniably good team, with Jalen Brunson (their star player), scoring crucial points in the dying moments of games. While individually their players are in no way comparable to the others on the list, their coherency as a unit is impressive and this type of team typically can progress far. Whilst it is doubtful that they will win the championship, there is definitely a chance, especially when you consider the fact that they are following a similar archetype that of the Pacers, which proved successful last year.