The Underdog previews the entire NBA Western Conference for the 2026–27 season, breaking down all 15 teams, every major offseason move, the biggest statistical trends and the questions each roster must answer before the season begins. Chris Horwedel starts in the Northwest, where Oklahoma City remains the standard, Denver tries to improve its defense around Nikola Jokic, Minnesota adds LaMelo…
Show notes
The Underdog previews the entire NBA Western Conference for the 2026–27 season, breaking down all 15 teams, every major offseason move, the biggest statistical trends and the questions each roster must answer before the season begins. Chris Horwedel starts in the Northwest, where Oklahoma City remains the standard, Denver tries to improve its defense around Nikola Jokic, Minnesota adds LaMelo Ball alongside Anthony Edwards, Portland reshapes its backcourt with Ja Morant and Utah continues building around Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Pacific features major changes across the division. Golden State continues to balance championship ambition with health concerns, the Clippers rebuild around a new group of veterans, the Lakers reorganize around Luka Doncic after LeBron James’ departure, Phoenix reshapes its supporting cast and Sacramento searches for a defensive identity. In the Southwest, Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio headline a group that also includes a deep Houston roster, Cooper Flagg’s developing Mavericks, a rebuilding Memphis team led by Cameron Boozer and a New Orleans roster still centered around Zion Williamson. The episode closes with division predictions and a Western Conference pick, weighing Oklahoma City’s proven defense against San Antonio’s two-way ceiling and continuity before selecting the team most likely to reach the NBA Finals.
The Underdog previews the entire NBA Eastern Conference for the 2026–27 season, breaking down all 15 teams, every major offseason move, the numbers behind each roster, and the biggest questions heading into opening night. Chris Horwedel starts in the Atlantic, where the defending champion **New York Knicks** face a radically reshaped landscape. Philadelphia adds LeBron James and Jaylen Brown,…
1 wk ago · 29:52
Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone dig into Ole Miss football and a rough stretch for Philadelphia sports, led by Lane Johnson’s retirement and breaking news that Cam Jurgens is being traded to Baltimore. They also look at the Flyers’ young-player usage, the Phillies’ playoff exit and uncertain future, and the Eagles’ increasingly depleted roster ahead of Jacksonville. The conversation tracks how…
2 wks ago · 46:04
Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone open with cars, Tesla shopping, StockX mystery boxes, vacations and family stories before getting into a rough week across college football, the NFL and MLB. The sports half centers on Ole Miss–Florida, Oregon–USC, Eagles–Bears, the Phillies’ playoff matchup, the 76ers and the Presidents Cup. They also mix in snow and garage stories, baseball-rule ideas and a few…
3 wks ago · 45:32
The Underdog mixes college football, MLB, NFL, and plenty of side conversation as Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone work through a busy sports week. Ole Miss-LSU and the Rebels’ trip to Florida drive the college-football discussion, while the Phillies’ playoff outlook and the Eagles’ uneven start lead the pro-sports talk. The episode also touches on NFL Week 3, travel, TV, crypto, and an unexpectedly…
1 mo ago · 46:10
