Jamal Crawford Previews Blockbuster 2025-26 NBA Season Matchups

In a recent Reddit AMA, former NBA player and current NBC lead game analyst Jamal Crawford provided insights on the highly anticipated 2025-26 NBA season. Crawford expressed particular excitement for the matchup between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, as it will mark the return of superstar Kevin Durant to face his former team.

Crawford believes this will be a must-watch game, as the Thunder are fresh off a championship win. He acknowledged that his excitement for this game is somewhat "selfish" since he will be on the call for the broadcast.

Looking at the league as a whole, Crawford's "heart tells him" that the Houston Rockets will make the biggest leap this season. He credits the team's success with their young players and the addition of Durant, a player Crawford has been a fan of for a long time. Crawford believes Durant will fit seamlessly into Houston's offensive system, praising his ability to adapt to any system without disrupting his teammates' rhythm.

Another player Crawford is highly impressed by is Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, whom he describes as having the skills of "four great Hall of Fame players in one." Crawford marvels at Jokić's versatility, able to channel the talents of legends like Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Arvydas Sabonis.