Lots of NBA coaches, executives, and critics say that the Oklahoma City Thunder have the making of a dynasty with their young core and top future picks. It does look like it currently with the way they are dominating games led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who hardly play in the fourth quarter.
The question now is who can be their best challenger? SGA thinks it is the team that just beat them in a meaningful game.
The Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs figured in an intense NBA Cup battle on Saturday with the latter coming out on top to reach the finals and a chance to win more than $500k cash prize. OKC led by double digits at one point in the game but were able to come back and deny the defending champs of another win.
SGA had a game high 29 points but it went to waste as Spurs won the game by two points.
Many critics think Spurs got the blueprint that the Thunder is using – young core surrounding an MVP level star.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives high praise to Spurs
SGA agreed that the Spurs can challenge them eventually based on what they got right now.
“Yeah, there’s a good chance. They are young, really good, have a lot of talent, play the right way. They play a good brand of basketball,” Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked if there is a rivalry brewing between their teams.
“But yeah, definitely it’s a possibility. I’ve noticed that anything can happen in a couple years. So, yeah, it’s definitely a possibility. Not a hundred percent but definitely a possibility, for sure.”
Spurs is led by Victor Wembanyama who punished them on Saturday with dunks and defensive stops. It is his first game back since November 14.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year, who finished with 22 off the bench, is fueling this supposed rivalry with his comments about ethical basketball, something thrown at SGA and his foul-baiting.
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