The San Antonio Spurs are just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings, posting a stunning 23-2 record since Feb. 1. The run has prompted serious debate among NBA scouts and executives about whether Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs can win a title in one of the league's most improbable championship bids in recent memory. A veteran Eastern Conference scout told ESPN the Spurs have become his preferred contender, citing Wembanyama's growing psychological impact on opponents. They're my favorite now, the scout said. His game is going to be even more dominant in the playoffs and every game he's going to get more and more into your head. In Game 1, your players will think about him on some of their shots. By Game 4, they'll be having full-on nightmares. Multiple executives echoed that assessment. One whose team faced San Antonio recently was direct in his evaluation. They're a very good team. They're very well-coached. They're very well put together, the executive said. And Victor is absolutely unguardable. The youth and inexperience concern draws frequent skepticism. But one Eastern Conference executive pushed back firmly. Everyone says they don't have experience, but they have a lot more than anyone gives them credit for, one East executive said of the Spurs. Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet have championship rings. De'Aaron Fox is one of the league's best clutch players and he's been in the playoffs. Do you think Victor is going to be intimidated by the moment? Good luck with that. One veteran scout acknowledged the tension between historical precedent and Wembanyama's singular ability. History says it doesn't happen this year, and projects against it. But they're different, said the scout. He's generational. Potential weaknesses remain as San Antonio's three primary guards De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper all rank below average as 3-point shooters, a vulnerability playoff opponents will aggressively target. Some of the ways the Spurs have been effective in a regular season will be game planned against in a seven-game series.
March 27, 2026