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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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.
Boston's Smart Marginal Gains
- Boston is strong but behind OKC due to ownership change and Tatum's injury uncertainties.
- They've excelled on margins with low-cost finds and smart hires, keeping them near the top.
Cap Savvy Builds Flexibility
- Houston and Memphis stand out for negotiating favorable deals and extracting value from players.
- Houston balanced draft assets and cap maneuvering to assemble a young, tradable core.