Spurs may have stolen more than an NBA Finals berth from Thunder thanks to Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs upset the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals behind Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old big man is already staking his claim as the best player on the planet, and he ended the OKC dynasty talk. Wemby is just getting started. He had All NBA podcast host Adam Mares questioning whether the Spurs star just ruined the Thunder’s entire culture with the upset.

“Is the culture of OKC gone anyway? It can go away like that when you suffer a tough loss. Their culture has been this group that grew up together. They’re a bunch of young guys who rose together.

As we walk away from these playoffs, Chet Holmgren’s career reaches a fork in the road because of how thoroughly he got dominated by the one guy that people are most interested to watch him matchup against. He was so bad in this one that you have to at least wonder if it's going to be the same carefree young guys, college feel, or will there be a little bit of an undertone that you have to pull your weight. And if you can’t do it, we’ll have to find somebody who can.”

Stein didn’t think that was coming quite yet, but the Thunder face significant financial questions. They are projected to be $28.5 million over the second apron as raises for Holmgren and Jalen Williams kick in. Sam Presti also has to clear roster space for his draft picks. The Thunder will make changes, and it could reset their entire culture.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs may have ruined the Thunder’s entire culture

Never doubt Wemby. He quieted the narrative of their inexperience. The Defensive Player of the Year led his team to the NBA Finals at 22 years old. He is way ahead of schedule and should have the Knicks worried about the looming NBA Finals matchup.

Wembanyama will force several teams to make unwanted decisions over the next decade-plus. The rest of the West is already questioning how they will defeat the Spurs and Thunder. Both teams are young and not going anywhere.

Even if OKC shakes things up, they will still be firmly in title contention. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't going anywhere. The Thunder hope to be healthy in the next meeting after Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell missed time in the conference finals.

The most hilarious outcome would be the Thunder trading Chet after Wemby dominated their matchup. Spurs fans know Victor always has a bit of extra juice when facing Holmgren. Their rivalry dates back years, and Wembanyama wants to destroy him. Chet had just four points and only took two shots in Game 7. He was tentative for most of the series. The Thunder hope this was just a bad series, but they will have to move on if this continues.

Oklahoma City isn’t that young team anymore. They won a championship and were dethroned by the Spurs. This rivalry is just beginning. The two teams will start shaping their rosters to defeat the other. This has a chance to be an all-time great rivalry, and Wemby will keep forcing the Thunder to change.

The San Antonio Spurs' advancing to the NBA Finals may have ruined the Oklahoma City Thunder’s culture as we know it. They will be a different team next season. OKC has to trim payroll. Marc Stein doesn’t expect a blockbuster trade, but it can’t be ruled out.

The Thunder have to worry about defeating Victor Wembanyama, and the 22-year-old may have already ruined his first championship team. The legend will only grow from here, so stay tuned.

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