The San Antonio Spurs are easily the biggest threat in the Western Conference to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Victor Wembanyama's crew is fueled by hatred that OKC can't match.
The best rivalries in sports are not built on mutual respect. Sure, Larry Bird and Magic Johnosn burried the hatchet after their playing days were over, but in their primes? It was on sight.
The Boston Red Sox hate the New York Yankees. Michigan hates Ohio State. The Detroit Red Wings hate the Colorado Avalanche.
Now, the San Antonio Spurs hate the Oklahoma City Thunder. The major difference between the NBA's newest rivalry and some historical ones? The Thunder don't seem to reciprocate.
Thunder 'Not Like Us," Spurs Claim
Like the Spurs and Thunder, Kendrick Lamar hated (hates?) Drake, although the Canadian rapper seemed less interested in going punch for punch.
Guess who won that beef?
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, not only hate the Thunder, but are very pubic about it. Remember Wemby's "ethical basketball" comments? It doesn't take a genius to know who that was directed at.
In the Spurs' eyes, OKC is soft, dirty, corny, and overrated. When the Spurs play the Thunder, they make sure to bring that energy. The Thunder, meanwhile, can't match it.
"They're like Drake against the Spurs, in that Drake did not hate Kendrick the way those dudes hate back," said Bomani Jones about the OKC Thunder.
While it seems the Spurs as a whole relish their 4-1 record against the Thunder this season, the rivalry starts and ends with Wembanyama.
"Victor and the rest of those guys hate the Thunder so much, and I just don't know, if you're not that type, how you dial it up?" Jones asked. "Victor hates Chet, and what seems clear is that Victor is contagious in that way. Victor said, 'I hate Chet,' and that means they all hate Chet. And that means they got to hate everybody else because those other cats are riding with Chet. I don't feel like we've had that guy in a while who's just like, 'Alright, we hate them now.'"
The Spurs have built a version of the Thunder in their heads that allows them to step up a notch when they meet them. The Thunder, meanwhile, are the better team, but they don't have the "edge" that the Spurs bring to the table.
Fans can be hopeful that it will all come to a head in the Western Conference Finals, making for some spectacular television.