The Knicks enter 2025-26 with a sharpened, deeper roster and a championship glare that wasn’t there a year ago. New York rolled to 51-31, sliding into third in a wide-open East after adding Towns and Bridges last summer and locking Bridges on a multi-year deal. The expectant fan base—over 80% call a Finals appearance a success, with a sliver dreaming of a title—believes New York’s supporting cast and Brunson-led core can lift the franchise back to banner glory. The path is clearer as Tatum and Haliburton’ injuries soften Boston and Indiana, but Cavaliers, Magic, Pistons, and Hawks figure to push the Knicks. A fired coach and a retooled second unit amplify the stakes, while Bridges, Towns, Brunson, and Anunoby form a star-studded core through at least the next two seasons, with Towns’ option keeping the window ajar through 2027-28.

Depth and versatility define the Knicks now. Bridges’ extension cements a high-end wing pairing with Anunoby, while Towns adds spacing and rim protection that transforms New York’s offense and defense in half-court and transition. Brunson remains the playmaking fulcrum, and the frontline pairing of Towns and Robinson could unlock mismatches and a more flexible defensive shell. The East landscape won’t yield easily, but the Knicks’ balance of star power and depth makes a deep playoff push all but probable, turning fan expectations into a palpable, season-long narrative.

The Boston Celtics land in NBA Cup Group B with Philadelphia, Orlando, Brooklyn and Detroit, setting up a stern Group-stage test. Boston isn’t pegged as a clear favorite, but the hosts believe the Celtics can win the group if they leverage depth and playoff-level defense against a mix of proven contenders and rising squads. Orlando’s improvement raises the heat on Boston, while Philadelphia and Brooklyn loom as wild-card threats and Detroit could surprise if their ceiling hits early-season momentum. The conversation centers on path, rotation flexibility, and the value of securing a home-court edge within the group.

Key angles: Boston’s rotation management for Cup play, how travel and back-to-backs impact lineups, and which matchups could swing tiebreakers. The pod’s takeaway is that the Celtics have a realistic shot at advancing, but only with disciplined defense, smart rest, and a willingness to lean on role players when the schedule grows dense. Listeners are pointed to CLNS Media for more clips and breakdowns across their network.

Fans can expect deep dives on Cup strategies, lineup tinkering, and a continued focus on New England sports chatter across Havlicek Stole the Pod and other CLNS offerings as the NBA Cup schedule unfolds.

A former Rockets role player argues a Jordan-led Bulls might have fallen to Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets in 1995 even if Jordan hadn’t retired for baseball. The piece threads Jordan’s late-’94 return, Chicago’s post-title pivot with Rodman, and Olajuwon’s dominant two-year MVP stretch that punished Robinson in the West finals. It also notes the Bulls’ gap at traditional rim protection before Rodman arrived and frames the era as a study in how one star’s absence could tilt a dynasty’s fate, with future fantasy angles on interior defense and perimeter firepower.