Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective [Dec 26, 2025]

Episode: Spurs Officially Contenders? Concern For OKC? - Wild Christmas Reaction

1. Episode Overview

In this holiday edition, Brian Windhorst’s ESPN Hoop Collective team—Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, and Anthony Slater—delivers a spirited deep-dive into the NBA landscape after a wild slate of Christmas Day games. The conversation zeroes in on the surging San Antonio Spurs and their surprising dominance over the title-favorite Oklahoma City Thunder, the growing rivalry between these teams, and what this means for the Western Conference picture. The panel also covers developments with the Lakers, Rockets, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Warriors, with a focus on roster moves, coaching volatility, and the trajectory of veteran dynasties fading from prominence.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Spurs’ Rise and OKC’s Reality Check

[00:34 - 27:03]

• Holiday Game Recap & Spurs Claiming Thunder’s Number

  • The Spurs have beaten the Thunder three times in 10 days— a “playoff series” sweep that shakes up the perceived Western Conference hierarchy.
  • Pam MacMahon: “We gotta stop talking about OKC being on its own tier … we can no longer say with a straight face” [01:22].
  • Anthony Slater quotes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: "You don't lose to a team three times in a row without them being better than you." [01:56].

• Spurs: Officially Contenders?

  • Tim Bontemps highlights standings: “The Spurs are only two games back in the loss column from the number one seed now. That's number one. And they got the tiebreaker.” [03:24]
  • Debate on whether to “book reservations” for San Antonio in June—panel agrees: maybe not yet, but “it’s a conversation.” [04:04]
  • Spurs are using a deep rotation and giving minutes to perimeter players other than Victor Wembanyama.

• How San Antonio Beats OKC’s Strengths

  • MacMahon highlights how the Spurs’ guard play is outclassing OKC’s vaunted perimeter defense:
    • “The Thunder are the best perimeter defensive team in years ... and they just tend to suffocate … The Spurs guards are completely unbothered, dude ... These guys had 60 points on insane efficiency today.” [05:27]
  • Slater notes physicality, athleticism, and size: Spurs are “so big physically across the board ... they're not bothered by the length and athleticism and speed of the Thunder.” [07:17]
  • All agree Spurs have outmatched the Thunder’s usual ability to “impose their will.”

• Matchup Specifics and Roster Observations

  • Praise for San Antonio's guard trident: De’Aaron Fox, Stefan Castle, and Dylan Harper, combining for 60 points on 26-35 shooting. [05:27]
  • The Spurs’ perimeter redundancy and rotation depth are major assets; Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes highlighted as effective role players. [11:33]
  • Victor Wembanyama is impacting on both ends in just 26 minutes/game due to a minutes restriction.

• Styles Make Fights — Why Thunder Struggle

  • “The Thunder had two of their worst possible shooting games because the Spurs’ strategy is they let Victor roam ... he can cover an absolutely astounding amount of ground” (Bontemps) [19:06]
  • “If Alex Caruso and Jalen Williams have the same amount of shots, that's a win for the defense. That's what they're trying to do” (Slater) [20:06].
  • Discussion on the Thunder’s “dogmatic” style: what’s their Plan B if their typical shot profile isn’t falling? [21:08]
  • Spurs have stymied OKC's transition game by limiting turnovers and getting back on defense. [23:48]

• Stat Nuggets

  • OKC’s offensive rating with Wemby on the floor: 0.91 points per possession (historically bad). [25:48]
  • With Wemby off: 125 offensive rating—massive swing. [25:56]

• Long-term Implications & Rivalry

  • This matchup adds intrigue to the league by “putting some doubt in the equation” for a presumed title favorite (Slater) [15:56].
  • MacMahon: “It’s got a chance to be a decade-long awesome rivalry. And Wimby wants all the smoke … there is damn sure zero intimidation factor.” [16:08]
  • Slater: “If you're a Thunder partisan, you could say, yeah, they didn't get a lot of free throws the other night. … But the bottom line is for a team that usually imposes its will ... they are not able to do that right now against this Spurs team.” [07:17]

B. Lakers’ Internal Struggles and Rockets Resurgence

[30:00 - 36:50]

• Lakers’ Energy Crisis and JJ Redick’s Outbursts

  • Lakers are in a rut: three consecutive losses, major defensive & effort lapses, injuries to Austin Reaves. [30:00]
  • JJ Redick’s patience is gone: “We don't care enough right now. ... I'm not doing another 53 games like this.” [31:02]
  • MacMahon: “Don Nelson's thing was a coach has about six bullets to fire … He's used them up before the new year.” [31:43]
  • Lakers’ defense is bottom three; lack of defensive talent outside LeBron/AD cited repeatedly.

• Rockets Snap Slump

  • “Nice win for [the Rockets] against a Lakers team that just doesn’t have it right now.” [36:50]
  • Rockets rebounded after losing four out of five games; their 48-25 rebounding advantage emphasized versus Lakers' lack of hustle and athleticism. [33:04]

C. Knicks Outlast Cavs – Tyler Kolek’s Big Day & Mitchell Robinson’s Muscle

[36:51 - 42:06]

• Game Flow: Cavs had dominant stretches but faded late; Knicks came back to win with clutch plays.
• Role Player Emergence:
  • Tyler Kolek—an “emerging cult hero”—makes game-saving block on Donovan Mitchell: “There’s a lot of folks who like him in New York, that’s for sure.” (McMahon) [37:29]
  • Mitchell Robinson dominated the offensive glass and exploited Cavs’ chronic boxout issues: “Mitchell Robinson is an absolute monster on the offensive glass.” (MacMahon) [39:09]
• Fun Anecdotes: Donovan Mitchell dunked “only because his fiancée was there”—caught on the Christmas Day broadcast mic. [37:44]
• Cavs Outlook: Encouragement from recent strong play, but troubles closing games and rebounding remain red flags. [40:47]

D. Warriors: The Dynasty Dims

[43:48 - 52:32]

• Kerr, Draymond, and Fading Hopes
  • Slater on Kerr address after Draymond blow-up: “A pretty masterful PR job ... took all the blame, essentially, for this happening and said it was his fault for things escalating.” [44:31]
  • Kerr publicly recognizes the sun setting: “We are a fading dynasty. We know that, and everyone knows that.” [45:45]
    • Bontemps: “Does that qualify as the quiet part out loud?” [46:04]
  • Warriors likely not pulling off blockbuster trades; nearing the end of an era without Klay, with Draymond and Kerr's futures uncertain. [48:30]
  • The mood is compared to the “Last Dance” Bulls season and the end of the Kevin Durant era—everyone knows the window is closing.
  • Panel members agree: Warriors are closer to "play-in" range than serious contention, as inconsistency and roster limitations mount. [50:30]
  • Upcoming decisions at the trade deadline and offseason loom large with expiring contracts, draft picks, and Kerr's expiring deal on the table. [51:22]

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
  “You don't lose to a team three times in a row without them being better than you.” (quoted by Slater) [01:56]

• Pam MacMahon:
  “We gotta stop talking about OKC being on its own tier ... we can no longer say with a straight face.” [01:22]
  “The Spurs guards are completely unbothered, dude ... these guys had 60 points on insane efficiency today.” [05:27]
  “And Wimby wants all the smoke and his guys are right there with him. There is damn sure zero intimidation factor.” [16:08]

• JJ Redick (on Lakers):
  “We don't care enough right now. ... I'm not doing another 53 games like this.” [31:02]

• Steve Kerr (per Anthony Slater):
  “We are a fading dynasty. We know that, and everyone knows that.” [45:45]

• Anthony Slater:
  “The bottom line is for a team that usually imposes its will on … the opposition every single night, they are not able to do that right now against this spurs team.” [07:17]

• Tim Bontemps:
  “OKC’s offensive rating with Wemby on the floor: 0.91 points per possession—historically bad.” [25:48]

4. Timestamps for Major Segments

• Spurs vs. Thunder Reaction: 00:34 – 27:03
• Lakers/Rockets Breakdown & JJ Redick Quotes: 30:00 – 36:50
• Knicks vs. Cavs, Tyler Kolek's Moment, Mitchell Robinson Dominance: 36:51 – 42:06
• Warriors Fading Dynasty, Kerr/Draymond/Klay/Trade Scenarios: 43:48 – 52:32

5. Tone & Language

The episode is lively, irreverent, and conversational with the panel swinging between detailed breakdowns and humorous asides, echoing the panel’s camaraderie and deep NBA knowledge. The language is direct and full of candid insights, with phrases like “no ceiling on these Spurs,” “Wimby wants all the smoke,” and “the quiet part out loud” highlighting the original flavor.

Summary At-a-Glance

• Spurs: Suddenly in the mix for a top seed after systematically dismantling OKC. Their blend of guard depth, size, and “unbothered” offensive mentality matches up better with OKC than anyone expected.
• Thunder: Still a title favorite, but their “kryptonite” may have emerged. Need to show adaptability and improve offensive counters in half-court when the three isn’t falling.
• Lakers: Redick is already out of patience and public “bullets.” Roster's limited defense and lack of energy are fatal flaws.
• Rockets: Bounce-back win.
• Knicks/Cavs: Knicks show clutch genes, Tyler Kolek becomes a cult favorite, and Cavs’ boxout fails remain their undoing.
• Warriors: Kerr calls out the “fading dynasty.” Big changes loom as the roster ages; the magic is mostly gone.

For NBA fans: This episode is must-listen for updates on the league’s new power dynamics, the emergence of a real contender in San Antonio, and the candid, inside-the-locker-room tonality that makes The Hoop Collective essential basketball listening.