Sep 4, 2026 · 1h 51m
Spurs edge Thunder atop a volatile Western Conference
NBA Drops Hammer on the Clippers. Plus, the Western Conference Hierarchy
The episode pairs the Clippers’ severe punishment with a team-by-team forecast of a Western Conference shaped by star power, roster risk, and defensive uncertainty.
- 1The Clippers’ alleged salary-cap circumvention brings severe consequences and raises lasting questions about the franchise’s direction.
- 2San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama-led rise narrowly surpasses Oklahoma City’s elite defense and depth in the hosts’ hierarchy.
- 3Across the West, offseason moves expose competing bets on aging stars, young talent, roster fit, and playoff ceilings.
Don't miss
The hosts place San Antonio ahead of Oklahoma City, arguing that Victor Wembanyama’s development and the Spurs’ young core give them the West’s highest ceiling.
The brief
J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina open with the Clippers’ severe punishment for alleged salary-cap circumvention, examining Steve Ballmer’s fallout and the franchise’s uncertain future.
The ranking starts with Sacramento’s defensive and organizational concerns, then moves through Dallas, Memphis, the Clippers, and Portland’s crowded, confusing backcourt.
In the middle, Stephen Curry keeps Golden State relevant while Phoenix, Minnesota, Utah, and the Lakers reveal different tensions between star power, fit, depth, and defense.
Denver leans on Nikola Jokić despite cost-cutting concerns, while Houston’s case rests on Kevin Durant, improved stability, and better shooting development.
The decisive debate pits Oklahoma City’s elite defense and depth against San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama-led ascent, with the Spurs ultimately taking first place.