As I sit here contemplating the upcoming NBA season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with championship predictions. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've learned that championship contenders aren't just born from raw talent alone—they develop through systems, much like the Shadow Realm blessings system in Elden Ring's DLC that creates a unique leveling experience separate from the main game. In that world, Scadutree Fragments scattered throughout the Land of Shadow allow players to enhance their attack power and damage negation at Sites of Grace, while Revered Spirit Ash strengthens Torrent and Spirit Ash summons. Similarly, NBA teams must gather their own metaphorical fragments throughout the grueling 82-game season to build the strength needed for playoff success.
When I analyze the current championship landscape, several teams stand out as legitimate contenders, each with their own path to gathering these competitive "blessings." The Denver Nuggets, fresh off their 2023 championship, return with arguably the most complete system in basketball. Nikola Jokić functions as their Scadutree Fragment—the central piece around which everything revolves. His ability to elevate his teammates' performance reminds me of how those shadow realm blessings provide unique stat boosts specifically designed for the Land of Shadow. The Nuggets' starting five posted a net rating of +12.3 when sharing the court last season, a staggering number that demonstrates their synergistic power.
Then we have the Boston Celtics, who've been knocking on the championship door for years. Their acquisition of Kristaps Porziņģis gives them what I believe could be their Revered Spirit Ash—the final piece that strengthens their entire ecosystem. Much like how the blessing system requires careful exploration and defeating notable enemies to gain strength, the Celtics had to endure multiple playoff disappointments before arriving at their current roster construction. Jayson Tatum's continued development into a superstar has been remarkable to witness, and I'm particularly impressed with how his efficiency has improved despite increased defensive attention. He averaged 30.1 points per game last season while shooting 46.6% from the field, numbers that place him firmly in the MVP conversation.
Out West, the Phoenix Suns present a fascinating case study in star power versus systemic strength. Their "big three" of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal certainly looks impressive on paper, much like a character who enters the Land of Shadow with impressive base stats but finds themselves starting on the back foot against the new challenges. The Suns will need to develop their role players throughout the season, gathering their own version of Scadutree Fragments through strategic lineup combinations and defensive schemes. Having watched teams built around multiple stars throughout NBA history, I've noticed they often struggle early before finding their rhythm, and I expect similar growing pains for Phoenix.
The Milwaukee Bucks, with Damian Lillard now alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, represent what I like to call a "theoretical contender." On paper, their offensive potential is terrifying—imagine trying to defend two players who can score from anywhere on the court. But basketball games aren't won on paper, and their success will depend heavily on their ability to develop defensive cohesion, their own version of damage negation that needs strengthening through the regular season. Having watched Giannis evolve from a raw athlete to a complete basketball player has been one of the great pleasures of my time covering the NBA, and I genuinely believe he still has another level to reach.
What many casual fans don't realize is how much championship success depends on these incremental improvements throughout a team's ecosystem. The Golden State Warriors' dynasty wasn't built solely on Stephen Curry's shooting—it was built on developing players like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, finding contributors like Kevon Looney, and implementing a system that maximized everyone's strengths. This process mirrors how Tarnished must explore carefully and defeat notable enemies in the Land of Shadow to gain the strength to stand their ground. The Warriors' core has shown signs of aging, but I wouldn't count them out entirely—championship DNA matters, and they have more of it than any other team in the league.
When I look at dark horse candidates, the Memphis Grizzlies stand out, provided Ja Morant returns with the same explosive ability we've come to expect. Their young core has gained valuable playoff experience over the past two seasons, much like how repeated journeys through the Land of Shadow would gradually build a character's capabilities. I'm particularly intrigued by Jaren Jackson Jr.'s development as a two-way force—his 3.0 blocks per game last season demonstrate his defensive impact, while his improved three-point shooting (35.5% on 4.5 attempts per game) shows his offensive growth.
The Los Angeles Lakers present another fascinating case, having reached the Western Conference Finals last season before being swept by Denver. LeBron James, at 38 years old, continues to defy Father Time, but the wear and tear of an 82-game season inevitably takes its toll. Their success will depend heavily on role players stepping up—the Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimuras of the world providing the supplementary scoring and defense needed to support their stars. Having watched LeBron's career from the beginning, I've never seen an athlete maintain such excellence for so long, but even he needs a strong supporting cast to compete for championships at this stage.
As we approach the season, my prediction model gives Denver a 28% chance of repeating, with Boston close behind at 24%, Milwaukee at 18%, and Phoenix at 12%. The remaining 18% is distributed among dark horses and potential surprise teams. These numbers aren't just mathematical abstractions—they represent the culmination of roster construction, coaching strategies, player development, and health management. The team that ultimately raises the Larry O'Brien Trophy will be the one that best navigates the regular season to gather their competitive blessings, develops their damage negation through defensive improvements, and peaks at exactly the right moment. After all these years following the NBA, what continues to fascinate me isn't just who wins, but how they win—the journey of building a championship team remains basketball's greatest narrative.