Sobering Spurs predictions will anger fans (but at least they're half wrong)

There are two major goals on the minds of Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs, and the fanbase. Everyone wants the Alien to win the Most Valuable Player award and for the team to win a championship. No matter what your expectations were in the preseason, the reality is that both of those things are attainable. But Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley doesn't believe they'll get either.

In an article released yesterday, Buckley writes, "Doesn't it feel like this is all heading toward runner-up finishes for San Antonio in the West and Wemby in the MVP voting?" I'm an eternal optimist. I'm just built that way. However, I'm also practical, and unfortunately, I have to concede the latter part of Zach's assertion.

While it's still not over, the conversations I'm hearing about Victor Wembanyama's chances of passing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are slim. There were two predictions there, though. I firmly reject the first one and so should you.

Don't confuse the MVP race with the Spurs' playoff chances

MVP is voted on by media members. You can get a feel for the way the tide is shifting by listening to them speak, since they all seem to have their own shows or podcasts these days. Most of what I've heard echoes something along the lines of "SGA has been the best player all season, so the Spurs would have to pass OKC in the standings to sway votes to Wemby's side."

I'm paraphrasing, but I've heard a variation of that very sentiment so many times I have it drilled into my head. I believe that line of thinking is incredibly flawed and gives them an easy out during an MVP race that should require more nuance than "he's the best player on the best team."

But I'm not impervious to the reality that many of them appear to feel this way, and that's all that matters when the votes are cast. Predicting an NBA champion doesn't follow the same protocol. It's not something one can or should be able to convince anyone else of for one simple reason: Players decide the games on the floor.

The Spurs have the tools to win a championship now

Sometimes, teams get hot at the right time after an up-and-down season and turn themselves into contenders. Usually those teams have flaws that were exposed early and maybe they cleaned up if they weren't just dealing with injuries or suspensions.

San Antonio has not built their resume that way. The Silver and Black have been dominant from the very beginning, and there's no reason to believe that's going to change now. This team has spent the majority of the season ranked either in the top 10 or top 5 in both offense and defense. That's why their net ratings by month look like this:

Spurs' 2025-26 net ratings:

October: 1st
November: 15th
December: 5th
January: 8th
February: 1st
March: 1st

If you think they're about to just fall off, I have a bridge in my backyard to sell you. The "lack of experience" is everyone's biggest concern, but it's overblown. As intense as the playoffs are, Victor Wembanyama's experience as a professional before reaching the league, combined with his Olympic run two summers ago, prepared him for this.

This team is already connected, and they have key guys who won't falter because of the bright lights. Maybe one or two of the young guys stumble, but that's why De'Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, and Luke Kornet are there. Plus, when you have a defense like theirs, it can be the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free ticket. You can bet against their chances, but after the season they've had, I wouldn't.