OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 26: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the fourth quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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Every good story needs a villain.

In the current NBA, the greatest villain is bright, gaudy, bright blue and orange uniforms, with players who do backflips like a flopping soccer player at the sight of contact and then make TikToks celebrating after winning a game by double digits.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the cusp of defeating the San Antonio Spurs and making back-to-back NBA Finals following a victory in Game 5 in front of their hometown fans.

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Every generation has its team to hate. A decade ago, even though fans loved Steph Curry, they could direct all their hate towards Kevin Durant for making an unbeatable team with the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James, with the Miami Heat, announced they would win upwards of eight championships after leaving Cleveland. The Detroit Pistons used to bully grown men like they were high school nerds, pushing them down constantly and laughing at them.

The Thunder aren't overly arrogant. Aside from Lu Dort (really can't defend him), a majority of the team doesn't take cheap shots. They play amazing defense and embrace the team aspect of the sport.

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Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is guarded by San Antonio Spurs player Stephon Castle in Western Conference Finals

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But then you watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fly to the ground like he got hit by a sniper when a defender doesn't touch him, and that same hatred, like watching the great villains of the past, consumes your heart.

Jared McCain might be the nicest person in the entire NBA, but in the Thunder jersey, laughing and celebrating after making a 3-pointer, he comes off like the Joker running away from Batman.

In Game 6, a majority of basketball fans will hope Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs can force a Game 7 and eliminate the defending champions at home.

And even if they do make it back to the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks, who haven't made it this far in 27 years, will be the beloved, underdog heroes trying to stop the Thunder from completing the beginning of their dynasty.

The teams that win a lot aren't generally the heroes, though, and the Thunder know this.

If they go back-to-back and confirm their place in NBA lore, they'll probably celebrate in the way to get the most hate you can get in 2026: lip-syncing to a pop song while Jared McCain dances around the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on TikTok.

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