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Spurs, Victor Wembanyama declared biggest threat to Thunder by NBA players
TL;DR
NBA players have identified Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs as the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with 25.3% of players voting for them in a recent poll. Despite this, the Thunder remain the favorites to win the championship, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team.
Spurs, Victor Wembanyama declared biggest threat to Thunder by NBA players originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No one expected the San Antonio Spurs to be this big of a threat after just three years of having Victor Wembanyama. They have a perennial MVP candidate and will likely win multiple titles under his leadership. But, a large majority of their peers think that the Oklahoma City Thunder will still win it all despite this. Although, the disparity in the anonymous NBA player votes are not as huge as most people would think.
Spurs, Wembanyama might be the NBA Playoffs bane of the Thunder
Clearly, the Thunder are still heavily-favored to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy for a second time. The Athletic's anonymous NBA player poll asked 146 voters and 50% of them picked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the squad atop the league again. However, there were only two teams that got double-digit percentages in this survey. The other was Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. These upcoming titans of the West notched an eye-popping 25.3% of the votes.
A voter explained why Wembanyama and the Spurs could win it all. Moreover, he emphasized what the Western Conference second seed lacks that the Thunder have.
"They have a really good shot. I think the biggest problem they'll run into is their lack of experience at that point of the year. But with just their size, length, athleticism and shooting, I think they're a high-level team," the anonymous NBA player declared.
All of these concerns hold true. There are only a handful of teams to have notched a superstar that have won the Larry O'Brien trophy after entirely missing the postseason. The field also narrows when considering that the star player had just gotten into the league within a four-year window of hoisting the championship. But, the players who have accomplished these are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks, Bill Walton with the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, and Larry Bird with the 1981 Boston Celtics.
If the claims of Wembanyama being a generational talent are right, he should have no problem leading the Spurs to a title in just his third year. Will he prove those 25.3% of NBA players correct when summer comes around the corner?
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Q&A
Why do NBA players consider Victor Wembanyama a threat to the Thunder?
NBA players believe Victor Wembanyama's unique skills and potential make him a significant challenge for the Thunder in the playoffs.
What percentage of NBA players voted for the Spurs as a threat to the Thunder?
In a recent poll, 25.3% of NBA players voted for the Spurs, highlighting their perceived potential to compete against the Thunder.
Who is favored to win the NBA championship according to the player poll?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win the NBA championship, with 50% of players voting for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead them to victory.
