Victor Wembanyama Still Believes Thunder Are the Best Team in the League

The San Antonio Spurs had a huge win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semi-finals of the NBA Cup. Not only did the win send the Spurs to the Finals, where they will face off against the New York Knicks, and give their players a chance at a hefty bonus, but they also sent a warning shot to the defending champions. 

Before losing to the Spurs, the Thunder were on pace to have one of the greatest seasons of all time. With a record of 24–2, they still could finish the season with one of the best records ever recorded.

However, when the Spurs beat them, people started asking: could a healthy Spurs team take down the defending champion juggernaut come playoff time? Is a potential rivalry brewing between these two young Western Conference contenders? 

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama doesn’t think so. Here’s what he said when asked about the potential rivalry. 

"I think we're not quite there yet, but it's a good sign that people see that it's possible. It's not like we're the second seed right now. I don't think anybody right now can claim to have a rivalry with them in the league. They're in their own tier, but in the future, provided that they stay just as good and we reach that level, of course, it'd be great to have a rivalry. I'm very interested by it."

Wembanyama is correct to note that the Spurs aren't on the Thunder's level yet. However, that doesn't mean the two teams can't be rivals. A hard-fought playoff series between these two teams would certainly instantly make them the most interesting Western Conference rivalry in the league.