The Ringer NBA Show NBA Season Preview Pod! Are the Rockets Ready to Win the West? | Real Ones
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Oct 18, 2025 The hosts jump into the NBA season preview, debating the best team in the Eastern Conference, with Cleveland getting the nod. They discuss potential playoff sleepers, including the Hawks and New Orleans. The conversation heats up around the Rockets, analyzing their roster changes and leadership questions. LeBron’s future with the Lakers sparks a lively debate. They ponder whether a Thunder repeat would damage league parity and share their MVP predictions, leaning towards Jokic as the frontrunner.
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East Is A Two-Team Race With A Wildcard
- The Eastern Conference looks like a tight, small set of contenders rather than a wide open race.
- Cleveland and New York are the leading cases while Philadelphia remains dangerous if healthy.
Sleepers Are Mostly Near Favorites
- Sleepers in each conference are hard to pick because many teams are already expected to improve.
- The Hawks and Orlando were discussed as realistic surprise teams in the East rather than long-shot sleepers.
West: Two Clear Leaders, A Crowded Chase
- The Western conference splits into a clear top tier (OKC, Denver) and a chasing pack of five teams.
- That chasing pack includes Warriors, Wolves, Rockets, Lakers, and Clippers with multiple realistic play-in candidates beneath them.