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Although the NBA’s Western Conference has historically been deeper and better than the Eastern Conference, the East has become very respectable in recent years. Three of the last seven champions (the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and the Boston Celtics in 2024) have been East teams, and last season, the Indiana Pacers came within one win of claiming the world title. But this season, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton are out with Achilles injuries, while the Bucks have been dealing with internal decay since winning it all. It has led many to feel that the conference is now wide open, at least for one season. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, a four-time NBA champion, hasn’t exactly been shy about voicing his opinions on a number of topics. On his podcast, he said he doesn’t think a single Eastern Conference team can compete with the best in the West this year. “And quite honestly, I just don’t know that the East has any teams that can compete at a championship level with the teams at the top of the West,” Green said. “Obviously Boston being down right now, I think plays a huge role in that…I don’t see a team in the East that can compete on a championship level with the top teams in the West.” NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: Draymond Green during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images for Fanatics) Read more: Knicks’ Josh Hart Brutally Honest on Slow Start Right now, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win the 2025-26 Larry O’Brien Trophy. Outside of them, the Denver Nuggets and perhaps Green’s Golden State Warriors are thought to have a real shot at winning the NBA’s grand prize. In the East, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers may take offense with Green’s comment. The Cavs won a league-high 64 games last season and were first in points and offensive rating. They were considered big favorites to win the East until they ran into the Cinderella Pacers in the second round of the playoffs. New York has arguably the best starting five in the East, and it now has a coach in Mike Brown who will, unlike his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, actually use his bench and let his team play fast on a consistent basis. The team is off to a slow start offensively, but Jalen Brunson is putting up big numbers to keep them afloat. Last Wednesday, the Knicks defeated the Cavs, 119-111, even though Brunson shot 5-of-18 from the field. Read more: Clippers’ Chris Paul’s NBA Future Receives Major Update They will get their first crack at Green’s Warriors on Jan. 15 in San Francisco, while Cleveland will host the Warriors on Dec. 6. Perhaps Green’s claim will give both teams some bulletin board material for those matchups. For more on the Warriors and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
