Do You Agree with @stephenasmith? 🏀

Stephen A. Smith is one of the loudest, most passionate, and most polarizing voices in sports media today. Whether you agree with him or not, he always brings the heat—and people are always talking about what he says. So when Stephen A. makes a bold claim, it echoes through NBA circles like a buzzer-beating three.

Recently, he dropped yet another take that has fans, analysts, and even former players buzzing: “The Oklahoma City Thunder are the most dangerous team in the Western Conference—and they might win it all.”

Pause. Think about that. A team that was rebuilding just two years ago is now being touted by one of the most recognizable sports personalities in America as a title favorite. Not just a feel-good story. Not just “next up.” Right now.

So the question is: do you agree with @stephenasmith?

Let’s break it down.

Why Stephen A. Might Be Right

First, let’s consider the facts. The Thunder are rolling. With a win in Game 5, they’re about to become just the fourth team in NBA history to reach 80 wins before the Finals (combining regular season and playoffs), joining only the ‘96 and ‘97 Bulls and the ‘16 Warriors. That’s not just impressive—that’s elite company.

And how are they doing it? With arguably the most complete young roster in the league.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like a top-5 player. His scoring is surgical, his poise under pressure is unreal, and he leads with calm confidence. He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. He just gets buckets and makes winning plays.

Then you’ve got Chet Holmgren, who is redefining what it means to be a rookie center. Rim protection, floor spacing, smooth footwork—he’s the perfect modern big man for this team. Add in Jalen Williams, a two-way wing who can create, defend, and hit clutch shots, and you have a core that can compete with anyone.

And let’s not forget the role players—Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Josh Giddey—who have all embraced their roles and delivered when it matters most.

Head coach Mark Daigneault deserves major credit too. His system is fluid, modern, and emphasizes pace, space, and high IQ play. The Thunder are disciplined and adaptable—two things you need in the playoffs.

So yeah, from a basketball standpoint, Stephen A. isn’t exactly reaching. This team is scary good.

But… Is It Too Soon?

Of course, there’s always a “but.” With young teams, the question always becomes: Can they handle the moment?

The playoffs are different. Physicality increases. Mistakes get magnified. There’s less room for error. Veteran teams like the Nuggets or Celtics have been there. They’ve failed and learned. The Thunder? They’re learning on the fly.

And while they’ve looked composed, there’s always the chance that youth catches up to them. Can they close a tight Game 7? Can they take a punch from a desperate team and respond?

Stephen A. has a flair for the dramatic, and sometimes he leans too far into narrative over nuance. The Thunder might win it all, sure. But so might Denver. So might Boston. Saying they’re “the most dangerous team” in the West is a big claim—and one that needs to be tested in the pressure cooker of late May and June basketball.

So the counter-argument is fair: pump the brakes. Let the Thunder prove it over time.

The Broader Point: Stephen A. Sees the Shift

What Stephen A. might really be saying, beneath the headline-grabbing soundbite, is this: The NBA is shifting.

For the last decade, the West has belonged to the Stephs, the LeBrons, the Jokics. But now, a new era is dawning. The Thunder are leading that charge, and it’s impossible to ignore.

And that’s where Stephen A. shines—he has a knack for tapping into what’s next before most others see it coming. He did it when he hyped up Steph Curry in 2013. He did it when he called the Heat’s Big 3 a movement, not just a roster. He’s not always right, but he is usually early.

So if he’s planting his flag in Thunder territory now, maybe it’s not about this season as much as it is about the next five.

So… Do You Agree?

Here’s the truth: whether you agree or not with @stephenasmith probably depends on what kind of fan you are.

If you’re a believer in momentum, chemistry, and the power of fearless young talent? You probably agree. The Thunder look like a team of destiny.

If you believe in experience, scars, and proven playoff mettle? You probably still have the Nuggets or Celtics circled on your bracket.

Either way, what’s clear is this: Oklahoma City is no longer a cute underdog story. They’re a problem. And Stephen A. Smith knows a problem when he sees one.

So the mic is passed to you.

Do you agree with @stephenasmith? 🏀