Spurs-Thunder Writers Preview West Finals, Honoring J.A. Sherman 1 Year After His Death
Updated
Updated · Pounding The Rock · May 18
Spurs-Thunder Writers Preview West Finals, Honoring J.A. Sherman 1 Year After His Death
2 articles · Updated · Pounding The Rock · May 18
Game 1 tips later Monday as Spurs and Thunder writers frame the Western Conference finals as both a renewed rivalry and a tribute to J.A. Sherman, the former Thunder blogger who died last year at 49.
Cray Allred casts Oklahoma City as the favorite because of its historically dominant defense, while saying Jalen Williams’ health is the key variable against Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
J.R. sees matchup swings coming from San Antonio’s corner shooting and the Wembanyama-Holmgren battle, while Allred says the rivalry’s edge could deepen if Shai joins the budding animosity.
Lu Dort’s physical defense also emerges as a flashpoint: J.R. questions whether his reputation for reckless play is earned, and Allred says it is partly deserved but overstated compared with his genuine on-ball value.
The exchange zooms out from tactics to legacy, presenting this series as the possible start of an annual Spurs-Thunder feud shaped by two young contenders and Sherman’s memory.
Will back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander solve the puzzle of unanimous DPOY Victor Wembanyama?
Will the Spurs' 4-1 regular season record matter against the defending champion, undefeated Thunder?