The New York Knicks are entering the 2026-27 NBA season fresh off the franchise's first NBA championship title in 53 years. Jalen Brunson and his New York squad are one of the leading favorites to win the Eastern Conference and return to the NBA Finals stage. However, there's some strong competition brewing in the conference.
The Philadelphia 76ers made two massive moves this past offseason, signing all-time great NBA superstar LeBron James on a veteran minimum contract and adding Jaylen Brown via trade with the Eastern Conference-rival Boston Celtics. During Tuesday's episode of "First Take" on ESPN, Knicks fan/broadcast personality Stephen A. Smith warned New York of the impending threat from Philly.
"The Sixers can make a title run. The Sixers are the team to watch out for if you're the New York Knicks," Smith said. "To me, it's clearly about the Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers." Without James and Brown on the roster, the 76ers made it past the Celtics in the first round of the 2025-26 playoffs.
In the second round, they fell to the eventual-champion Knicks with a series sweep. The 76ers and Knicks will open up the 2026-27 NBA regular season with an opening-day clash on Oct. 20.
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