The NBA has more parity than ever. After this year's finals, it will be the seventh straight season with a completely different champion. No one can maintain dominance or prolong playoff success. The Larry O'Brien has been a part of a 30-team game of hot potato.
The NBA needs a villain, and we know just the team to do it.
The beauty of villainy
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Following the Spurs' supremacy in the 2000s, many NBA fans no longer love the Silver and Black. Witnessing their favorite team get crushed over and over again makes it hard to have any fondness towards them. And we are well aware of that.
Most recently, it was the Golden State Warriors. Unless you were a Bay Area native, you likely hated seeing them win. While this era wasn't fun to live through, it's hard not to look back and appreciate the greatness of the arch-nemesis Warriors. Still, there's something special about these despised dynasties.
Of course, it is always heartwarming to see your team win, but the satisfaction of watching the NBA's most hated go down is even more rewarding.
Think of how great it was to watch the Warriors blow a 3-1 lead in the NBA finals. This was one of my most cherished moments, even as a Spurs fan. These moments make being an NBA fan enjoyable.
Except, right now, there is no villain. No team to vigorously cheer against. No one that the entire NBA community can rally around in hatred. The fans need it.
Mad-villainy starts with one thing: Winning. Throw in a controversial moment here and an expressive player there, and you've got yourself a villain. It's an easy formula and one that can transpire overnight. We simply need someone to take pride in capturing the role.
Do the Spurs have what it takes?
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Whether the Spurs use their picks to build up a powerful young core or elect to ship them off for a win-now piece, [they have the tools to create something magical](https://airalamo.com/spurs-increase-urgency-trade-assets-quickly-losing-value). Gregg Popovich's teachings will shine through Mitch Johnson, ensuring the team has the exemplary leadership to win a championship.
Wembanyama has victory on his mind and will do everything in his power to make it happen. The reinforcements have already started to pile up, it just takes one title to open up the floodgates.
San Antonio is already a picturesque free agent destination, but could become even more enticing once the ball gets rolling. As long as the Spurs make the playoffs in 2026, more help is on the way. Whether it be important championship-caliber role players or a new co-star for Wembanyama, the pieces will fall as they may.
And this city knows how to support its team. The fans will show up every night and bring the stadium to life. Fans must be involved for the Spurs to become a villain; they'll bring the heat.
Start the fire and grab your pitchforks because the Spurs may become the next NBA villain.