Rockets named as top threat to NBA champions by controversial analyst

Rockets named as top threat to NBA champions by controversial analyst originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Oklahoma City Thunder finally got it done in 2025 and brought a championship to the Oklahoma state capital.   

Led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team went the limit with the Indiana Pacers, and now they look towards the 2025-26 season for their first title defense, and the speculation begins as to who could foil their plans for a repeat of their championship.

And Stephen A. Smith has a good idea as to who that may be.

Who Does Stephen A. Believe Can Challenge The Thunder?

In his recent appearance on Gilbert Arenas' "Gil's Arena" podcast, the entertaining yet polarizing analyst picked two Lone Star basketball squads to challenge Oklahoma City and ruin the attempt at a repeat, the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets. 

“I would not underestimate Houston because of KD because I look at Oklahoma City's defense, big time, stellar, they have no answer for KD. No answer," Smith said. "And they've had these scoring droughts, but their defense saves the day. Your defense ain't saving the day against KD. It's not happening."

"Dallas beat them. They run into Dallas with Kyrie, Dallas beats them. For some reason, Dallas has their number. And they know how to play against them. And I think because of that reality, you cannot dismiss the Dallas Mavericks as a threat."

Given that both teams have had good track records against the Thunder, and both upgraded their rosters with superstars over the summer, the Mavs with Cooper Flagg and the Rockets with Kevin Durant, Smith's projections could very well be valid.