The NBA season is barely underway, but some teams already look like they’ve hit their stride. A few squads came out of the gate polished, steady, and in control — the kind of teams you can actually trust over the next week, instead of getting fooled by a single hot night.
And then there are the pretenders. Teams off to a strong start but whose early success might not last once the schedule toughens and defenses adjust.
Let’s take a closer look at both groups and see which teams are living up to the hype and which ones might be fooling everyone for now.
Back-to-back threats
The Oklahoma City Thunder are proving that defending a championship isn’t just about last year’s hype they’re built to back it up. Even without one of their top contributors Jalen Williams this team is showing it can stay consistent and maintain momentum.
Williams who averaged 21.6 points last season and was OKC’s second-leading scorer is still sidelined recovering from wrist surgery. He played through a torn ligament in the playoffs last year. Then had surgery in July, and is expected to return in the next coming weeks.
Even with Williams out, the Thunder have stepped up in a big way. Guard Ajay Mitchell has emerged as a key scorer, averaging 16.9 points per game, giving OKC another reliable weapon alongside Shai. Mitchell’s ability to create his own shot and hit timely buckets has helped the team maintain its momentum and keep opponents on edge.
With the Thunder firing on all cylinders, it’s clear they aren’t just coasting on last season’s championship. Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate averaging 32 points per game while Ajay Mitchell is proving he can carry his weight, and the supporting cast is stepping up when it matters most.
Their 121–92 blowout of the Los Angeles Lakers showed they can handle even strong opponents with authority, sending a message that the reigning champs are still very much the team to beat. If they keep this pace and focus, the Thunder aren’t just early-season favorites—they’re a team that could make a deep playoff run and defend their crown the right way.
Denver showing consistent threat
The Nuggets are proving once again that consistency is their strength. Last season they finished as the No. 4 seed and pushed the Thunder to a full seven-game series in the second round, showing they belong among the league’s top contenders. With Mike Malone out, David Adelman now gets his first full season as head coach, giving Denver a chance to settle into his system and build on last year’s success.
Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP, is doing it all again—averaging 28.8 points (6th in the league), 13.1 rebounds (1st), and 10.9 assists (1st), while shooting 68.4% from the field (4th). Point guard Jamal Murray is also firing, putting up a solid 22 points per game. With a core this deep and skilled, Denver remains one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
While they might not make the same flashy headlines as some other squads. The Nuggets’ consistency and efficiency make them a nightmare matchup for any opponent. They move the ball, play smart, and rely on their depth to grind out wins.
If they keep this pace and focus, the Nuggets aren’t just in the conversation—they’re a legitimate threat to make another deep playoff run and compete for a championship.
A threat out east
The Pistons finally look like a real basketball team — and it all starts with Cade Cunningham playing like a top-tier franchise star. He’s averaging 27.5 points 5.4 rebounds, and 9.9 assists on 43.6% shooting, and Detroit’s entire offensive identity runs through him.
What makes this season even more striking is how far the team has come. Just two seasons ago, Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA at 14–68. Since then, they’ve completely flipped their trajectory. They made the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2018–19 season, snapped their postseason drought, and even grabbed their first playoff win since 2008 ending a skid that lasted more than a decade.
Their recent 114–105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers highlighted the resilience that’s defined their turnaround. Detroit was severely short-handed — no Cade Cunningham (hip), Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, or Marcus Sasser — yet they still pulled out the win.
Daniss Jenkins deep heave to end the third quarter flipped the momentum, and the Pistons owned the fourth from that point on. Multiple players stepped up and played with the same blue-collar energy the city is known for.
After years stuck at the bottom, the Pistons finally look like a team that’s figured out who they are — and where they’re headed.
Chicago’s struggle to stay consistent
The Bulls looked like they were ready to make some noise after storming out to a 5–0 start, but reality has caught up — they’ve gone 1–5 in their last six games, now sitting at 6–5, and the early-season hype is starting to fade.
Josh Giddey has been carrying a massive load for Chicago, putting up 21.4 points, 9.3 assists, and 9.6 rebounds per game, but the supporting cast hasn’t been consistent. Ayo Dosunmu (14.9 PPG) and Kevin Huerter (14.6 PPG) have shown flashes, while veterans like Nikola Vučević (16.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG) provide stability, yet the team still struggles to execute against tougher competition.
Chicago’s early success feels dependent on a handful of players having perfect nights. When the shots don’t fall or rotations break down, the team’s flaws become obvious. They’re still learning to translate potential into consistent performance, and recent losses have exposed that this roster isn’t yet built for sustained success.
Right now, the Bulls are a cautionary tale: promising young talent and flashes of brilliance can create early-season excitement, but without balance and consistency, hype can quickly turn into pretenders.
Philadelphia 76ers — Early hype, rough reality
The Sixers came out of the gate looking like a team to watch, riding star guard Tyrese Maxey, who’s averaging 32 points per game. But the early hype hasn’t lasted — they’ve gone 3–5 in their last eight games, and the team’s vulnerabilities are starting to surface.
Maxey has been carrying the scoring load, and Trendon Watford has stepped up with solid contributions, including a 17-rebound game against Toronto. With Joel Embiid in and out of the lineup and Paul George still sidelined from an offseason procedure, Philly’s ceiling feels capped. Even Kelly Oubre Jr. has been dealing with a minor injury, limiting the team’s depth.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers’ third-overall pick, looked like a potential breakout star in the first three games, averaging 25 points per game, but he’s cooled off recently, putting up 11.8 points over the last eight.
Philadelphia has shown flashes of dominance, like their 129–105 win over the Nets or 136–124 victory vs. Orlando, but inconsistency has plagued them. Wins feel hard-earned, and losses — often from blown leads or a lack of focus down the stretch — highlight their struggles to close out games.
Right now, the Sixers look like pretenders: talented, high-potential, but fragile. Without a fully healthy roster and consistent contributions from younger players like Edgecombe, it’s hard to trust that this team can compete with the league’s top contenders.
