By 
No need to worry because Attack the Glass is alive and kicking. We’ve officially crossed the first-quarter mark of the 2025-26 season (a week or 2 ago), and to say the league has been flipped on its head would be an understatement. From the resurgence of the Motor City to the emergence of a new breed of big man, here is my definitive look at everything that’s defined the season so far.
The Elite Tier
Best Player: Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
At this point, it’s getting ridiculous. Jokic is somehow finding new ways to break basketball. He’s currently averaging a 29.8/12.4/10.8 triple-double while shooting over 60% from the field. He isn’t just playing the game; he’s conducting a symphony where every other player is a half-step behind his rhythm.
Best Team (Non-Thunder): Detroit Pistons
The “Pistons are back” narrative isn’t just hype; it’s a statistical reality. Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Detroit has transformed into a defensive juggernaut. Cade Cunningham has ascended to All-NBA status, and the grit this team plays with is a throwback to the “Bad Boys” era, but with modern spacing.
The Surprises & The Risers
Biggest Surprise/Leap: Toronto Raptors & Norm Powell
The Team: Most analysts had the Raptors in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, but Darko Rajakovic has them playing elite, selfless basketball. They are the most dangerous “trap” team in the league right now.
The Leap: Norman Powell has finally unleashed “top option” energy. He’s scoring with elite efficiency, proving he isn’t just a spark plug but the entire engine in South Beach.
Stock is Rising: The 76ers Youth Movement
While Philly waits for their veteran stars to stay on the floor, the kids are more than alright. The energy and production from their young core of Maxey and Edgecombe have kept them afloat in the standings. For the first time in the Embiid era, the Sixers have a bench that actually scares people while giving the front office potential courage to move on from Joel Embiid finally.
Coach of the Quarter: Darko Rajakovic (Raptors)
It’s one thing to have talent but it’s another to get a roster of young players to buy into a system this quickly. Darko’s commitment to a 10-man rotation and high-speed decision-making has made Toronto the NBA’s League Pass darling and this Raptors fan couldn’t be more surprised.
The Honors
MVP of the Quarter: Luka Doncic (Lakers)
A slimmed-down Luka in the purple and gold has been terrifying. He’s leading the league in scoring and had the Lakers breathing down the necks of OKC in the West. He’s playing with a level of focus and conditioning we haven’t always seen, making him a frontrunner for his first MVP.
Rookie of the Quarter: Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
Knueppel isn’t just playing like the best rookie; he’s playing like one of the best shooters in the world. He’s already a knockdown shooter to start a career. The “Kon-man” is the real deal and the potential change that’s needed in Charlotte.
Ray’s Big Dawg Award: Derik Queen (Pelicans)
The Pelicans were laughed at for trading up for Queen, but nobody is laughing now. He recently dropped a 30/10/10/4 triple-double, becoming the first rookie in history to hit those numbers. His footwork and passing IQ for a big man are well beyond his years, he’s essentially “Baby Jokic,” and can change the Pelicans’ ceiling in real-time.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Things I Love
The New Broadcast Era: The shift to Amazon and NBC has been a breath of fresh air. The production value is elite, and hearing that “Roundball Rock” theme on NBC just feels right and inside the NBA on ESPN is one thing the worldwide leader has gotten right this year.
The NBA Cup: Anyone still hating on the NBA Cup simple are not watching. The atmosphere in the semi-finals and finals felt like June basketball in December. This is becoming one of commissioner’s better ideas as long as the NBA doesn’t try to do anything extra to it.
Things I Hate
The Star Injury Epidemic: We are losing too many nights of greatness to the trainer’s room. Whether it’s the style of play or recovery protocols, the fact that the biggest names aren’t playing enough games is and has been hurting the product for way too long.
The “Distraction” Trio: It’s disappointing to see Trae Young, Ja Morant, and LaMelo Ball making more noise for off-court distractions than for helping win games. These are pivotal talents, but they’ve become more of either a headache or detriment than an asset for their respective teams lately.
Biggest Disappointment: Cleveland Cavaliers
After a historic start last year, the Cavs look disjointed. They are struggling with chemistry, and the “vibes” are completely off. Donovan Mitchell continues to carry the load, but Evan Mobley still does not take the next leap offensively and Garland’s bad injury luck are a huge part to this start but potentially can turn around after that exciting Christmas day game against the Knicks.
