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I’ve observed ample evidence: Award the Spurs the control to Father Christmas's workshop. Put Castle in command of present construction. Permit De’Aaron Fox deliver presents into rooftops, from any range he’d like. Devin Vassell can design the Christmas cookies. Harrison Barnes has the brigade of helpers covered. And, of course, the sleigh's ride must promptly be altered for a more statuesque, leaner pilot so that the towering Wembanyama can operate it comfortably.

The electrifying San Antonio squad have beaten the OKC in a trio of matchups in a fortnight, and in the process have revitalized this NBA season. I now have increased confidence in the team's ability to bestow thrills to the fans than any festive tales of old.

A Dire Start

It seemed bleak for a time. The Oklahoma City might have captured the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, but started this campaign in even more foreboding form. They secured 24 victories in their first 25 games (the sole defeat was a anomalous 20-point rally). In the bulk of those games, Jalen Williams, their next best player, was on the sidelines recovering from wrist surgery. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their premier player, hardly ever had to play in the final period. The Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings by 31. The Lakers, who some predicted to be a possible rival, lost by 29; their offensive genius Luka Doncic looked like he was facing ten men. The Suns' gallant initial resulted in a narrow defeat, by just four points. When they played a rematch 12 days later, the Thunder triumphed by 49. This game was a decisive statement and ushered in the cold season 10 days early. Oklahoma City appeared able to shredding every team in its path, even the 2016 Golden State Warriors’ fabled regular season record of 73-9.

Debating Their Approach

The Thunder do not play a overly pleasing brand of basketball. They expertly exploit the referees’ problem over which infractions to call (a steady whistle breaks the rhythm of the game, an inconsistent one lets players get away with blatant violations), often leading to SGA taking free throws after whistles that would be best ignored, while personified pest Caruso seems to have total license to do whatever he likes on defense. Some claim to admire, Gilgeous-Alexander twisting his body to invite slight touches from defenders; I can only imagine those same people also like being struck hard between the legs. That’s not to mention physical force Luguentz Dort flying off his feet and into opponents after many questionably slight touches. This gamesmanship enables detractors to cling to the notion that in a world with ideal officiating, the Thunder would be a mediocre team. Real basketball heads know it’s far more irritating than fundamental to the Thunder’s success, but the widespread annoyance is sufficient to incline some fans who might otherwise be neutral into cheering for Oklahoma City’s downfall.

Dominance can be fascinating in its ruthlessness to watch, but a record-setting performance tends to generate reduced amazement the more times it happens again. How many times does anyone really want to watch one team beat another by 35? Sooner or later you remember that the drama is the point. The Thunder were draining the season of suspense, building leads on other teams in the standings as well as on the court.

A New Challenger Emerges

Through the opening period of the initial San Antonio vs. OKC game this season, San Antonio was down by 16 and seemed poised to go the identical path as every other team. Instead, they have caused major problems for the Thunder ever since.

Against the Spurs, the Thunder look mortal. Each member of their key players deserves significant credit for that, but this is Wembanyama's team, and the Thunder know it. “There’s this man on their team that’s seven-foot-five and takes up a lot of room on the court,” Williams remarked, with some irritation, when asked what made the Spurs such a difficult opponent. The Thunder’s lanky center, 7ft 1in Holmgren, is the biggest player on the floor in most games, able to grab rebounds and reject opposing shots. Next to Wemby, he’s short, crude, and even timid. Victor's disregard for Holmgren is evident in how he exults each time Holmgren misses a free throw, as though he’s scored a major victory; the way he commits a foul on him with a bit of unnecessary force; the way he told reporters he doesn’t consider Holmgren a rival. (There is indeed no argument over which player is superior.) At this rate Holmgren must expect Wemby to burst out of the cupboard, trash-talking, when he stretches for a treat.

A Christmas Statement

The Spurs led by Wembanyama made their most conclusive statement yet on Christmas, defeating the Thunder by 15 on their home court. San Antonio took the customary early punch well yet again, bouncing back to score 41 points on the league’s best defense in the first quarter. De'Aaron Fox seamlessly found the small holes in that defense to the tune of 29 points. The Spurs even limited SGA to a season-low 22. He tried to offset it by whipping passes to open teammates behind the arc, but they disappointed by clanking almost every single attempt.

A Thunder optimist would say that a sufficient number of those threes will go in in the future to produce a victory or a more competitive loss, but I found the misses indicative of a flaw. Off the strength of his silky-smooth stepback jumper, SGA is the steadiest scoring force in the league. He is challenging to guard and nearly unguardable to stop. But even he can’t shoulder an offense completely on his own. The Spurs put Gilgeous-Alexander under sufficient duress that he had to distribute more than usual, and his role players faltered under the heavier burden. Dort and Caruso are good for the sporadic three-pointer, but relying on them to knock down the outside shot is the last place the Thunder want to be.

The New Landscape

The Spurs’ rise couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only have they emphatically established themselves as legitimate challengers – but they’ve allowed fans to see the Thunder in {higher definition|sharper focus|