​When you look at the current balance of power in the NBA, it certainly feels like the East has gained momentum. Do you sense the same shift?
Paolo Banchero: There are a lot of big-name players heading to the East, and that cannot be ignored. I’ve always believed the East is the stronger conference, even though I think we’ve sometimes been undervalued or slept on in the past. This season, you could really see that reflected in the Knicks’ run, for example. It’s clear across the league that the East is wide open right now. A lot of veterans and emerging stars alike feel that openness, which is part of why so many free agents are drawn to it. The landscape is shifting, and that sense of opportunity is spreading through the conference.
I’m excited, and so are my teammates. Earlier, I mentioned that last season didn’t go the way we planned. It didn’t unfold the way we expected, and that’s something we’ve learned from. There will be people who forget about us, or count us out, but that’s exactly why we need to prove ourselves. We have to show that we’re an elite team capable of competing with the best in the league. We’ve got a real shot to contend in the East if we put everything together.
This is a moment where expectations are shifting, and the pressure is on everyone to deliver. For us, it’s about consistency, improvement, and proving doubters wrong. The East might be open, but that doesn’t mean success will come easily. It means we have to work harder, embrace the challenge, and execute at the highest level night after night. If we can do that, if we can sustain a strong, focused effort, we have a legitimate chance to emerge as one of the top teams in the conference.
The rest of the league is aware of the shift, too. Teams are loading up, players are seeking new opportunities, and rivalries are intensifying as the season approaches. It’s an exciting time to watch how the balance of power will tilt, which teams will rise to the top, and who will seize the moment when the calendar flips to game time. For us, this is about building momentum, developing a deeper chemistry, and proving that last year’s shortcomings were a learning experience rather than a lasting limitation.
From a fan and analyst perspective, the Eastern Conference feels ripe with potential. The combination of a more competitive field, upgraded rosters, and the energy of a conference-wide push means there are more meaningful games and more dramatic moments on the horizon. It’s not just about the teams expected to contend; it’s about the depth across the conference and the ways in which different programs will surprise us as the season unfolds.
As I look ahead, I’m focused on our team’s path: establishing a strong defensive identity, refining our offensive flow, and ensuring we stay resilient through the grind of a long season. The goal remains clear—position ourselves as contenders in the East, earn home-court advantages where possible, and take advantage of the opportunities that come with an open landscape. If we stay hungry, stay disciplined, and execute our plan, I believe we can prove that we belong in the upper echelon of the conference and contend for a deep run in the playoffs.