Mavs, Warriors, Knicks Unconvincing Out of the Gate

But it’s evident that growing pains are inevitable, as the Mavs have slid to a 2-5 start to the season.

What Can Unlock Dallas In The West

The blueprint leans on balance. Irving bends half courts with craft. Davis protects the rim and punishes switches. Flagg fits as a connector who speeds decisions. 

Washington toggles between forward spots and keeps spacing honest. Lively and Gafford sprint and screen. When that motor runs, Dallas can swarm the glass and play downhill, a formula that keeps them among the intriguing teams for fans diving into NBA odds on FanDuel. 

However, caution is advised, as both fans and bettors are aware, health and chemistry can fray in a rugged conference.

Risks That Could Derail a Run

Smith didn’t spare the caveats when making his prediction. 

Among the potential worries are the fact that Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis have endured long injury logs. Any defensive slippage would invite late-game trouble. Lineups with two non-shooters can clog the lane. 

Opponents will test Dallas with size and pace. Jason Kidd has been around long enough to adapt to anything thrown at him. If the rotation remains crisp, the ceiling rises.

Warriors Hoping to Maximize Title Window

Golden State began the season with a pair of wins, including an overtime victory against Denver.

They are 3-3 since then, with all wins coming at home, and all losses happening on the road.

One thing that remains looming is the future of Jonathan Kuminga, which took more than just the summer to resolve in the short term, and had an understandably taxing effect on the front office.

Kerr’s Hand Steers The Moment

Steve Kerr’s veteran coaching experience has enabled him to adapt to countless situations. He and his staff set the stage and let the team work from there.

In Tuesday night’s win, Kerr credited the bench for setting the tone.

It also signaled an approach led by a seasoned roster. The Warriors can often outplay opponents, no matter who is on the floor.

This may ring even more important in the event the Warriors part ways with Kuminga before February’s trade deadline.

New York Knicks Off to Up-and-Down Start Under Mike Brown

The newly-led New York Knicks quickly secured two wins to start the season, beating Cleveland 119-111 and Boston 105-95. 

Jalen Brunson, the league’s Clutch Player of the Year, scored 31 against Boston, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 points and 13 rebounds. It looked as if the Eastern Conference Finalists from a season ago were picking things up where they left off.

But in a grueling 82-game season, it is hard to maintain momentum. Like the Warriors, the Knicks dropped three straight road games after their 2-0 start. This is especially concerning, considering they had one of the better road records last season, at 24-17.

Managing Expectations

Mike Brown has kept the focus firmly on building good habits, making it clear the team is far from its peak. 

This postgame video was after their 135-125 loss at Chicago, their third in a row.

With a tough schedule ahead, the message is simple: keep stacking stops and trust the rotations.

League Themes: Size, Smarts And Open Lanes

Broader trends support these early snapshots. Double big lineups are circling back with a modern twist. Shooting and passing have stretched the floor while keeping size on the court. 

Oklahoma City enters as the team to watch as they defend their title. Denver added ballast behind Nikola Jokić to stabilize non-star minutes. The East feels open for a surge by New York or Cleveland. The West remains a maze.

Dallas can comfortably run two-big lineups with Anthony Davis alongside Dereck Lively or Daniel Gafford. This setup provides strong rim protection while allowing Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg to spark cuts and offense. 

Golden State will create spacing with Al Horford as the pick-and-pop centerpiece, opening lanes for Stephen Curry and creating passing options for Draymond Green. Meanwhile, New York’s size on the boards fuels their fast-paced game without sacrificing structure.

What Matters Next In An Accelerating Race

Dallas needs to strengthen its defensive habits and push the pace with quick outlet passes, especially under pressure— turnovers will be a key indicator of progress. 

Golden State must carefully manage veteran minutes while continuing Jonathan Kuminga’s steady development, paying close attention to late-game fouls and rebounding discipline. 

For New York, maintaining a broad rotation is essential, but so is refining execution in crunch-time situations.

Early Watch List For Fans 

Look for Dallas to improve weak-side tags and early help. Keep an eye on Flagg to see if he earns late-game reps. 

For Golden State, note how often Kerr calls set plays late. A low count signals trust and flow. 

For the Knicks, count second-chance points and transition threes. Across the league, the title chase already feels real.

A Practical Way To Follow The Storylines

Fans can center on three simple markers. Health for Dallas. Decision speed for Golden State. Defense for New York. If those boxes stay checked for each team, April will arrive with stakes.

Ultimately, these three teams will need to find consistency if they hope to be better than a middling organization hovering around the break-even point.

The season has begun with noise and nuance. The smart teams will ignore the distractions and stick to their strategies. The smarter ones will evolve.

*Content reflects information available as of 11/5/2025 and is subject to change.