Brian Windhorst says Spurs key to dethroning the Thunder is not Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs are looked at as one of two teams who can potentially take OKC down in the postseason. Most people look to Victor Wembanyama as the primary reason why, and that's partially true, but I agree with Brian Windhorst's assertion that San Antonio's guards are a crucial component to send them over the top if the Western Conference's top two squads meet for a seven-game series.

"The reason that the Spurs have given the Thunder so many problems this year is because of the strength of the backcourt. It's not so much the frontcourt led by Victor Wembanyama... and how they can handle the way the Thunder attack you."

That point right there is exactly why taking Dylan Harper in the draft was important. The Spurs have built a rotation of ballhandlers so talented, it will be difficult for even the best teams to compare to that position group, and guard play is imperative in the playoffs. But here's where Windy is off; Wemby is the lynchpin that makes it all work.

SA's success against OKC starts with defense

The Silver and Black play an aggressive brand of defense that falls apart without the man in the middle. His presence throws off the Thunder's entire attack strategy, and that impacts their confidence. It also forced them into mistakes as they try to figure out other ways to score points on the fly.

The Spurs get to take advantage of that disruption. They have the guards and wings to defend everyone on OKC's roster. There's not a single soul in their rotation you look at as a matchup problem physically. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a master with the ball in his hands, but he's not bigger, stronger, or more athletic than Stephon Castle.

However, he is savvy with the ball in his hands, and without the right guy behind the reigning Rookie of the Year, SGA would certainly be more effective at manipulating coverages. If Victor was a regular big, a simple pick-and-roll could force a switch that allows last season's MVP to go to work. He doesn't have any of those advantages with the Alien on the floor.

Whether it's Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams with the ball in their hands, the same reality will slow them down. Wembanyama is that inevitability.

Spurs' guards shine on the offensive end

On the other side of the ball, that's truly where the guards deserve an added nod. OKC loves to press up on their opponents, trying to force them into mistakes. That doesn't work on the Spurs.

De'Aaron Fox is too good and too fast to get caught in a tussle with Lu Dort or Alex Caruso. Castle and Harper are big, strong guards who play with savvy and unrelenting force. They're physical players, so the contact doesn't bother them. They're going to get downhill and compromise the Thunder's defense.

Some of their freedom to wreak havoc is granted by the gravity of San Antonio's superstar. No opponent wants to see Wemby have one of those masterclass nights because you'll probably get blown out. However, their skill sets both complement him and can thrive outside of him. They just know how to get buckets.

OKC doesn't scare the Spurs, nor should they. There's a healthy respect there, but that's where it ends. Were they to meet in the postseason, experience would be Oklahoma City's only advantage. Usually, that's a pretty big one. But the Silver and Black have pretty significant trump cards of their own. Yes. Plural. That was intentional.