Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast Organization Rankings, Part 1 2025-26
Nov 27, 2025
In this insightful discussion, John Hollinger, an NBA analytics pioneer and former front office insider, teams up with Nate to analyze the organizational strengths of various NBA teams. They highlight why the Oklahoma City Thunder tops the rankings with exceptional drafting and development. The duo also delves into Boston's challenges with new ownership, Houston's asset strategy, Golden State's rebuilding efforts, and Miami's cap creativity mixed with cost-saving strategies. They also critique Philadelphia's management and the Knicks' cap practices, setting the stage for a deeper dive in future discussions.
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Who Should Run Your Team
- The ranking criteria centers on who you'd want running a random NBA team over the next five to ten years.
- That includes ownership, front office, medical staff, vision, drafting, cap management, and development.
Be Market-Agnostic In Rankings
- Evaluate teams market-agnostically; market size shouldn't give extra ranking credit.
- Grade organizations by how they'd perform in various NBA situations, not by locale perks.
OKC: Organizational Perfection
- Oklahoma City sits in an organizational tier alone due to near-perfect drafting, trading, and development since the Shea deal.
- Their culture, asset accumulation, and on/off-court success make them historically well-positioned.