Shout out to Hard Rock Bet — if you’re jumping into NBA futures, this is the time to get bold. On the latest episode of Joe & Jada, we decided to stop tip-toeing and flat-out jump out the window with our early predictions. Who’s coming out the East? Who runs the West? Who’s hoisting the trophy? Rookie of the Year? MVP? We hit it all — and we brought in former NBA star Joakim Noah, to give his take.
This season is already spicy, so let’s get into it.
The East: Joakim’s All-In on the Knicks (and we’re not arguing)
The conversation started simple: “Who’s taking the East?”
Joakim didn’t blink.
“The Knicks.”
And listen — we weren’t disagreeing. Not even a little bit. Madison Square Garden deserves a parade. The city deserves a banner. And for the first time in a long time, you can feel New York basketball shifting.
Joakim doubled down, and we rode with him. Bold? Yes. Delusional? Maybe. But if you’re a New Yorker, you get it.
This is the year — or at least it better be. They’re currently +400.
The West: Houston Love, KD’s Resurgence & the Real Threats
The West is where the real debate jumped off. Joakim came right out the gate with:
“I like the Rockets.”
We didn’t see that coming — but he made a case. That squad is young, hungry, and if Fred VanVleet didn’t get hurt, who knows? Finally, KD is looking like he’s making the difference again.
Listen — we’re not saying KD isn’t great. KD has BEEN great. But sometimes the fit isn’t a fit. Phoenix was messy for a minute. Brooklyn was chaotic. Golden State was easy money. But this season? KD actually looks comfortable again. Like he belongs in that system.
We weren’t buying all that though. OKC and Denver. One of them is coming out the West. Period.
We respect Houston (+650). We respect KD. But if you’re asking us who’s walking out the Western Conference tunnel at the end of the year? It’s OKC – the defending champs. Nobody else.
MVP: Wembanyama vs. Luka — and the Debate Gets Heated
The MVP discussion lit the room on fire.
Joakim didn’t hesitate. He likes Wemby for MVP at +10000.
Wembanyama’s doing things we’ve never seen — blocking shots from angles that look like glitches, covering half the court in one stride, making seasoned pros look like JV kids.
But Jada wasn’t letting that slide without a fight. He’s on Luka (+240).
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg vs. VJ Edgecombe
If Wemby is MVP-in-waiting, Rookie of the Year is a little more open. We like Cooper. If he plays like he’s supposed to, give it to him.
But Jada had another name locked in: VJ Edgecombe. He’s not getting the same publicity, but he’s dominating.
Not mainstream. Not overhyped. Just balling. The room agreed: this race might be closer than people expect.
Closing Thoughts
Ball is back. The league is global. The future is weird, tall, skilled, stretchy, and named Wembanyama. Luka’s a monster. Jokic exists. KD’s trying to remind everyone he still cooks. And somewhere, the Knicks are trying to make Joakim Noah’s boldest prediction come true.
And trust — we’ll be watching all of it.
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