After running through the Western Conference last season, the San Antonio Spurs have imposed themselves as the best team out there. The OKC Thunder, on the other hand, have to play catch-up.
Last season, the San Antonio Spurs pretty handily established themselves as the best team in the Western Conference.
Heading into the year, the betting favorites were easily the Oklahoma City Thunder. At the time, they boasted three young stars and were defending champs. Then the Spurs beat them in the NBA Cup, the regular season, and sent them packing in the Western Conference Finals.
Now, the pressure is on the Thunder if they want to reclaim the throne. Specifically, the pressure is on Chet Holmgren.
Spurs Put the Pressure on Chet Holmgren
2026 was, by all accounts, Homgren's breakout season.
He made his first All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive teams. He also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. For good measure, he set career highs in points and rebounds, as well.
Then, in the Western Conference Finals against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, he looked lost. He and Wemby entered the league at the same time and were immediately billed as rivals. In the playoff series, Homgren posted just 10.7 points. In a decisive Game 7, he took only two shots.
The pressure is on to show that wasn't a fluke.
"This is a prove-it type of year for Chet," said Danny Green. "And J-Dub, he's got to come back healthy. He missed a lot of games. Of course, if he was healthy, this series might have been different. But either way, regardless, you're not winning a series against that San Antonio Spurs unless Chet steps up to the plate. And he's got to be able to give Wemby a fight or push, whatever it is, and fight back against him. He's got to show that he's not scared of him. And at Game 7, he wasn't aggressive. He didn't take many shots. It's more mental than physical with him, but is he going to be in the lab? Is he going to see the monks? Is he going to come back with a different type of mindset, with a vengeance, and actually attack Wemby when he does match up with him in the postseason or even regular season?"
Wembanyama has marketed himself as a ruthless competitor. Holmgren, meanwhile, presents himself as nonchalant.
Fans saw which gimmick or identity resulted in wins. It's up to Holmgren to change the narrative.
