Overview of The Champs Get Tough in Spurs–Thunder IV. Plus, Tiering the West
This episode of The Ringer’s Group Chat (hosts Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Kyle Marvin) recaps Spurs–Thunder IV — a physical, pivotal regular-season rivalry game — then pivots to a wide-ranging “tier the West” conversation. They break down how the Thunder adjusted and dominated, why Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs struggled at times, who’s rising (Peyton Watson, Jalen Williams) and slipping (Rockets without KD, Lakers’ defensive uncertainty), and how the Western Conference shapes up into tiers going into the trade deadline and second half.
Spurs–Thunder IV — Game recap & takeaways
- Game feel: A high-stakes rivalry matchup (part IV of the Spurs–Thunder series) that felt more like a playoff fight than a midseason game. The hosts expected more public build-up but agreed the game itself delivered.
- Thunder approach: OKC played more physical, quicker, and more decisive offense — limiting hesitation and “dawdling” that had characterized earlier meetings. They attacked the Spurs’ half-court actions, engaged Victor Wembanyama aggressively, and used crisp cutting/backside movement.
- Shai’s impact: Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (referred to repeatedly as “Shai”) carried the Thunder through a dominant stretch — particularly in the third quarter. Hosts described his play as “MVP-level” and the most important stabilizer when opponents try to pressure OKC.
- Jalen Williams: Came off the bench and delivered a big, energizing performance — the kind of complementary piece that fills OKC’s depth puzzle.
- Wembanyama & Spurs: Victor Wembanyama struggled with sustained physical play and was “packed in” by OKC’s defensive personnel. Spurs’ offense suffered when their shooters and secondary creators didn’t consistently demand defensive attention. The Spurs need better in-game adjustments and offensive schemes to protect and maximize Wembanyama.
- Lineup effects: Spurs had trouble with certain Thunder looks (e.g., 1‑2‑2 zone, physical perimeter defenders), and the Thunder’s depth substitutions (including backup bigs) helped them push the pace and maintain pressure.
- Big-picture verdict: The Thunder remain the league’s top team in the hosts’ view — still the favorite for a title — but the matchup showed that there is a believable blueprint to make OKC uncomfortable if opponents can neutralize shooters and sustain physicality.
Notable player notes & stats
- Shai on a tear: Hosts emphasized Shai’s sustained scoring dominance. One claim: Shai is on pace to be the first player since Michael Jordan to average 30+ points in four straight seasons.
- Jalen Williams: Praised for length, versatility and a game-changing bench role — the kind of rotational piece that elevates OKC’s ceiling.
- Wembanyama: Seen as less explosive/“rangy” recently (hosts noted knee/calf concerns), and physical matchups in this game revealed limitations in how the Spurs deploy him against teams that aggressively pack and attack.
- Rockets split with KD: Over the last 10 games referenced, Houston is +12 net rating with Kevin Durant on the floor and –17 with him off — highlighting how dependent they remain on KD.
- Offensive rebounding: Rockets’ offensive rebounding has been a major advantage (hosts pointed to very high offensive rebound rates during stretches), which helped them overcome other issues earlier in the season.
Tiering the Western Conference — distilled consensus
The hosts debated tier placements; below is a concise, synthesized version of their conversation and the main placements they argued for.
Top tier
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Clear #1 in their view — balance of elite defense, elite Shai scoring, role-player depth, and playoff experience.
- Denver Nuggets: The most logical No. 2 — resilient through injuries, Jamal Murray’s playmaking/shot-making has been crucial, and developmental pieces (Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett) are rising. Jokic’s health remains the wild card.
High-end contenders / “the next group”
- San Antonio Spurs: Legit contender-level upset potential when systems click; Wembanyama’s presence makes them dangerous, but they still need better in-game adjustments and complementary creation around him.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Trending up — very balanced two-way team, Rudy Gobert anchoring defense, Anthony Edwards elite, and growing stability.
- Houston Rockets: High floor when Kevin Durant is on the floor; offense is messy without him. Depth and ball-handling initiation remain questions.
- Los Angeles Lakers (swing team): Tremendous offensive talent (Luka/LeBron dynamic referenced in the discussion about fit), but defensive inconsistency, unreliable center play, and the heavy investment in a “big three” that constrains role-player payroll makes their ceiling-and-floor volatile.
“Paddling like hell” / volatile contenders
- Golden State Warriors: High variance — Steph Curry is still elite but the roster lacks consistent bench depth; many role players’ production is unstable.
- Phoenix Suns: Hard-playing, very dangerous in a series (disciplined, professional), and a team that can “ruin” opponents through intensity and depth.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi’s resurgence and the team’s recent record make them a threat — if Kawhi remains that level, the Clips can be a spoiler/contender.
Middle/lower tiers & teams likely “tanking” or punting
- Portland Trail Blazers: Overachieving identity, competitive on any given night (led by Deni Avdija in recent form), but record and depth place them lower than Phoenix record-wise; hosts debated Suns vs. Blazers strongly.
- Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans: Grouped as teams with serious issues, injuries, or structural problems. Some are explicitly rebuilding/“punting,” others are in pronounced slumps or missing key pieces.
(Hosts disagreed on some exact placements — e.g., whether Nuggets should be alone in a second tier or grouped with OKC; Warriors/Clippers/Lakers fitments vary — but the Thunder + Nuggets at the top was the clearest consensus.)
Suggested moves and recommendations (from the hosts)
- Spurs: Find offensive actions that better protect Wembanyama (tilt actions toward creators, use his roller gravity, exploit backside cuts). Resolve spacing/usage balance between Wembanyama and team creators.
- Thunder: Keep process, continue developing bench depth like Jalen Williams, ensure shooters remain a threat to prevent pack-ins on Wemby-like players.
- Nuggets: Invest in Peyton Watson’s retention — he looks like a rising starter-level piece and may need contract commitments.
- Rockets: Need a reliable on-ball organizer/point guard to smooth offense when KD rests (specifically an initiator who can take pressure off KD). Reassess role fits for guard/wing initiators.
- Lakers: Solve center inconsistencies — they need a dependable, positional defender/anchor at five. Consider roster restructuring around the “big three” to create more defensive stability.
- Warriors: Pursue depth and lower-variance role players; be willing to trade future draft capital if maximizing Curry’s remaining prime is the organizational priority.
Memorable lines & moments
- “That’s MVP shit” — used multiple times to describe Shai’s dominance.
- Stat highlight: Shai on pace to be the first player since Michael Jordan to average 30+ points in four straight seasons (host commentary).
- Lighthearted segments: Hosts riffed on 4K skincare, “paddling like hell” metaphor, and a running bit about teams’ in-arena smoke/confetti gimmicks (Rockets).
Bottom line — what to watch next
- Watch how Spurs evolve schemes to protect Victor Wembanyama from physical pack-ins and whether their shooters force respect.
- Track Jalen Williams’ consistency and Peyton Watson’s development — both are potential difference-makers for contending teams.
- Monitor KD minutes/health and Rockets’ ability to find dependable ball-handling when he rests.
- Keep an eye on Lakers’ center solutions and Warriors’ deadline strategy — both could materially shift the West pecking order before playoff seeding heats up.
Producers/guests credited at the end: Isaiah Blakely, Victoria Valencia, Ben Cruz. Episode returns Sunday.