CHAMPS THUNDER TIPPED TO RUMBLE ONCE MORE

Despite rising stars' high hopes, survey of team GMs puts holders as firm favourites

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander driving to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Selaun (left) and forward Brandon Miller during a pre-season game on Oct 9.

(PHOTO: IMAGN IMAGES)

Superstar players on new teams and All-Stars sidelined by severe injuries have jumbled expectations, but Oklahoma City remain a championship favourite when the National Basketball Association's 80th season begins on Oct 21 (Oct 22, Singapore time).

The Thunder will raise a championship banner when Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets visit, while the Los Angeles Lakers entertain the Golden State Warriors in the other opening-night clash.

"It would suck to lose the NBA championship in 2026," Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. "That's the new focus. That's the new goal."

The 27-year-old Canadian guard was last season's NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Finals MVP and league scoring leader with 32.7 points a game. The three-time NBA All-Star added 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocked shot a game.

A survey of NBA team general managers had 80 per cent predicting Oklahoma City would repeat as NBA champions with Cleveland and Denver sharing a distant second on 7 per cent.