Thursday: Inside the NBA

Chrissy Smith • August 6, 2026

The Biggest Western Conference Threats Heading Into the 2026-27 Season

The Western Conference isn't getting any easier, and if the New Orleans Pelicans want to make it to the play-in or to the playoffs, they'll have to navigate what may once again be the toughest conference in basketball. While every team enters the season with questions, a handful have already separated themselves as the biggest obstacles.


The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the team to beat. Their combination of elite defense, depth, and young star power has made them the conference's gold standard. They don't beat themselves, and every team chasing a playoff spot will measure itself against Oklahoma City.


The Houston Rockets continue to rise. After taking a major step forward last season, they've built a roster filled with athleticism, physical defense, and young players who continue to improve. They're no longer a rebuilding team—they're a contender.


The Denver Nuggets are still dangerous as long as Nikola Jokić is on the floor. Their championship experience and offensive chemistry make them a threat every single night, regardless of regular-season standings.


The Minnesota Timberwolves remain one of the NBA's toughest defensive teams. Their size and physicality create matchup problems, and they're capable of slowing down even the league's best offenses.


And then there's the Los Angeles Lakers. Whenever a roster is led by Luka Dončić, expectations are high. If the supporting cast comes together, Los Angeles has the talent to challenge anyone in the conference.


So where does that leave the Pelicans? New Orleans doesn't have to be the most talented team in the West. It has to become one of the most disciplined and most focused on defense. With Jamahl Mosley bringing a defensive mindset and a roster filled with length, versatility, and athleticism, the Pelicans have the tools to compete. The challenge will be developing a consistent identity that holds up over an 82-game season.


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Tulane football player in blue jersey and white helmet adjusting gloves indoors

Class of 2026 Spotlight: Dylan Basher

By Patrick Harkness • August 6, 2026
Dylan Basher 6-2/215 Dripping Springs, TX 
Tackling and Run Defense: Brasher’s tackle totals demonstrate excellent pursuit and gap-filling ability. He’s aggressive at the point of attack, with good instincts to diagnose plays quickly and shed blocks. 
Productivity in High-Volume Role: Leading a competitive Texas district in tackles speaks to his durability and consistency. His TFL numbers indicate disruptive potential behind the line of scrimmage. 
Versatility: He can drop into zones and handle underneath routes, making him a potential three-down linebacker. 
Upside: At 215 lbs with a 6-2 frame, he has the tools to develop into a starter at the Group of Five level, especially with college coaching and strength training. Room to grow with his frame possible 230-240. 
Stats: 125 tackles, 16 TFLs, 5 hurries, and 4 PBUs 
Total Offers: 8 (per 247Sports) 
Notable Offers: Oklahoma State, UTSA, North Texas, Tulane, Columbia, and others. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
College football player in navy jersey runs with the ball while defenders in white close in on the field.

Transfer Portal Spotlight: 
Ed Smith

By Patrick Harkness • August 6, 2026
DT 
Ed Smith- USA 
 (6’3”, 296 lbs, redshirt senior defensive tackle from Tuscaloosa, AL) is an excellent fit for Tulane’s 2026 football team as a transfer from South Alabama. 
He committed on January 11, 2026, and has already shown up in spring practices. Tulane added him specifically to bolster the interior defensive line after losing several key contributors to the portal (including high-production players like Santana Hopper). 
Here’s why he meshes so well with the Green Wave program under head coach Will Hall: 
• Perfect scheme fit in the 3-man front: Tulane’s defense (coordinated by Taylor Polk and Nate Fuqua) is built around a base three-man front that can shift to four-man looks in obvious passing situations. Smith primarily lined up at nose tackle or shaded over the guard at South Alabama. He’s a classic gap-occupier with the leverage, strength (from an OL background), and motor to eat up blocks, hold the point of attack, and create opportunities for linebackers and edge rushers. This is exactly what Tulane needs in the interior. 
• Immediate veteran production and experience: As a redshirt senior with nearly 900 career snaps and 12 starts in 2025 alone, he brings instant depth and leadership to a room that had roster turnover. In 2025 he posted 33 tackles (including 3.5 TFL), plus career totals of 8.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and 19 quarterback pressures. He’s a proven run-stuffer who also flashes pass-rush upside, exactly the kind of reliable interior piece Tulane targeted in the portal. 
• Familiarity with Tulane: He recorded multiple tackles (including TFLs) against the Green Wave in their September 2025 matchup. He already knows what it takes to compete in this conference and against these opponents. 
• Regional ties and culture fit: From Tuscaloosa, AL (and previously at South Alabama in Mobile), he’s only a few hours from New Orleans. He’s a Saints fan and brings that SEC-area toughness and work ethic that translates well in the AAC. Scouts highlight his high motor, durability, and short-yardage reliability, traits that fit Tulane’s blue-collar defensive identity. 
• Already flashed in spring ball: He’s been disruptive early, including recording a sack in Tulane’s second spring scrimmage and in the Spring Game with 3 pressures. That shows he’s picking up the scheme quickly and ready to contribute right away. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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