Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins made one of the boldest calls of the season, and it immediately put Victor Wambayama and the San Antonio Spurs front and center against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Speaking on First Take, Perkins didn't hold back from discussing the NBA Finals picture. He went beyond praise. He made a prediction that caught the attention of the entire league.
"The San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA Championship."@kendrickperkins Doubles down on Spurs, knocks Thunder out of playoffs pic.twitter.com/g9bs08Wpqw
- First Tech (@FirstTech) 17 March 2026
Perkins said, "You all know how I feel about the Oklahoma City Thunder. That's my home away from home, but damn, I'm going to say it again on national television, the San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA championship this year."
That statement came down hard. This challenged the growing perception that the Thunder were the team to beat in the West. It also elevated a young Spurs group that continues to grow behind Victor Wembanyama.
Perkins did not stop here. He said, "I don't pay attention to all this, they don't have experience to talk about." “They're going to have home court advantage all the way to the conference finals.” His confidence reflects how San Antonio has played. The energy is real. Trust is being built.
Victor Vembanyama sits at the center of it all. Perkins praised his development as a complete power forward. "I like how he's found that balance... first of all being a big guy, then being a guy who is a star and a leader in his role," he said. Growth is visible every night.
However, Spurs are not dependent on any one player. Stephen Cassel has developed into a steady facilitator. Their two-man chemistry continues to improve. “Having Stephen Cassel, they have that,” Perkins explained, pointing to their playoff-ready connection.
Meanwhile, veterans like Harrison Barnes and De'Aaron Fox bring experience and composure. This system is based on what Perkins called "agenda free basketball". Anyone can move forward. Any moment can change.
So as the race to the NBA Finals heats up, one question now looms large: Are the Spurs really ready to prove Kendrick Perkins right and defeat the Thunder when it matters most?
