The Eastern Conference of the NBA has never been this fluid.
All it took were injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum to completely change the layout of half the league.
Now, no one is sure who will come out on top at the end of 2025-26.
Charles Barkley studies the NBA for a living, and he still has some belief in the Philadelphia 76ers, despite their many problems and injuries.
“The Sixers, if they could get healthy, they might be the best team in the East. I know the Knicks and Cleveland are probably going to be favored. I think the Hawks got better. But, man, I gotta tell you something; I ain’t got no faith in anybody right now in the East. The Cavs, they’re going to have to prove it before people give them their credit,” Barkley said.
Charles Barkley says the 76ers are the best team in the East
“I mean, s***, the Sixers, if they could get healthy, they might be the best team in the East. I know the Knicks and Cleveland are probably going to be favored. I think the Hawks got better. But, man, I gotta tell you… pic.twitter.com/yatYhXjHhV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 2, 2025
That’s a huge “if,” because most people don’t expect the 76ers to remain healthy for the entire season.
In fact, they’re already hurt.
Jared McCain is recovering and will miss some time during the regular season, while there are still major questions about Joel Embiid and Paul George.
We don’t know when we will see either of those players, and we have no clue about what state they’ll be in.
To Barkley’s point, if the team does somehow remain in good shape, they could make a big splash in the East.
Being the top seed might be out of reach, especially with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks looking so good, but they could make huge strides forward from last season.
The East is looking wildly unpredictable and that is creating an exciting atmosphere for all NBA fans.
NEXT: Key Sixers Player Underwent Successful Surgery
