Put everything down for Thunder vs Spurs

Getting to this after Game 1 of Thunder and Spurs, but I’m not going to let the results bias the writing.

I am radically excited about this series, because this is an awesome expression of basketball. Wembanyama’s game doesn’t inspire an aesthetic pleasantness of a 6’6’’ two guard, but he’s undeniably a spectacle. SGA is said two-guard, but his foul baiting is so horrendous, it saps much of the enjoyment in watching him. That’s the last we’ll talk about the foul baiting though.

This series will be special for the simple reason that Wembanyama is ready for the moment. He’s been waiting his entire life for this chance. We’re watching a young man pursue his life’s mission in real time. Because of his height and prodigal success, this moment has been pre-ordained for Victor. Still, he carries himself with a humility that manifests as dogged determination to knock off the defending champs. He recognizes the importance his teammates hold to advancing and includes them in his orbit. I’m gushing a little, but there’s real cinema to behold here!

The Thunder (cast awkwardly as villains) aren’t short on superlatives themselves. As defending champs, you’re probably more familiar with them. This iteration of the Thunder have their hands full. I don’t have a solution to their Wembanyama problem, but I would love to hear inside the coach’s locker room. There’s a temptation to radically speed the game up, beat the Spurs down the court, and get interior offense from chaos, hoping Wembanyama is stuck behind the play or scrambling out of position. There’s an option to grind this game to a halt, force San Antonio into turnovers, and hope the possession disparity tips the scales. OKC has feasted for years on live ball turnovers cashed into quick points. Going back to the Lakers’ bubble championship, Stan Van Gundy has extolled the dramatic difference in live ball and dead ball turnovers. You can’t simply read it from the box score. Turn the ball over in bounds and expect to give up a layup. Chuck it into the third row and at least you can set your defense. Is this a moment for OKC to force their live ball turnovers and squeeze the air from the ball in the back court? Very early 2000’s Pistons.

It’s not a series without flaws. If anything, I’m excited to see volume 6 of this in 2032. Two proper veteran franchises. Game 1 exposed some Youth. Neither are finished products. They’re equal products though. Last playoffs were defined by incomplete teams. Either due to roster construction or Achilles injury. Even the Finals appeared to be a laugher until Indiana stood up for 7 games. This series feels like the first in a long time of equal greatness. Let’s hope for 7 full contests.