Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley appeared just as passionate as Victor Wembanyama after the Spurs beat the Clippers. The point of discussion that sparked a heated debate came down to greatness. Barkley argued the Spurs can’t be contenders since they need Wemby to play at an elite-level all night. Shaq relates consistent greatness as an essential ingredient to winning an NBA championship.

The best way to explain it was the Big Aristotle flashing his silverware again. “The real Diesel, when I won three in a row, I never had a bad game. I never had a bad game. You got to play great to win a championship. Shut the hell up,” Shaquille O’Neal told Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA. The debate didn’t cool down from there.

Chuck did not move away from his point. He felt Shaq didn’t have to play great every night. Going back, the three-time Finals MVP had a Kobe Bryant managing chaos at times. Furthermore, the Lakers had a mix of impactful role stars who changed games with their contributions.

But would it be valuable without Shaq being the most brutal and dominant force in basketball? Can you substitute Shaquille O’Neal’s contributions and still expect the Lakers to do the three-peat? That’s where I agree with the Big Diesel. “You said we have to play great and I’m saying what player doesn’t have to play great to win?” Shaq argued.

Having a great player is the foundation of having championship aspirations. The Nuggets expect Nikola Jokic to be imposing. They won when the Joker expertly dismantled every opponent they faced during their championship run. The same goes for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

But Charles Barkley also made some good points. Although one player’s exemplary efforts could lead to a glorious run, it can’t alone win a championship. That’s why he’s concerned about the Spurs. Chuck doesn’t think they have the weapons except Victor Wembanyama.

Their win against the Clippers said something else.

The Spurs are championship contenders this season

The Spurs were down 25 in the third quarter when facing the Clippers tonight. They still managed to turn things around, all because of their relentless will. Victor Wembanyama led the charge, but a fightback would not have been possible without a well-balanced effort. The Spurs have managed to do so regularly.

The team has now won 14 of its last 15 contests. The Spurs also hold a winning record against the defending champions this season. They have the depth that complements Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs speak the language of teamwork, which is why their defensive integrity is where their dominance starts.

The Spurs don’t emphasize having a select number of players play great offense. They can win when Wembanyama scores 10 because players like Champegnie, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox can go off for big nights. San Antonio’s winning culture starts with their cornerstone being as selfless as they come. His defensive dominance adds structure and creates convenient possessions.

So yes, Victor Wembanyama does need to be great. However, he has the leverage to do so in multiple ways because of the supporting cast around him. The Spurs have evolved into being a well-oiled machine. They have multiple outlets, and when nothing works, a Wemby to go wild.

It’s proven to be a winning formula in the regular season. If you ask me, the playoffs will only see the Spurs shine brighter.