As an NBA analyst who's been covering the league for over a decade, I've learned that basketball wisdom often comes from unexpected places. Just yesterday, I was watching volleyball highlights when I stumbled upon Japanese coach Yamamoto's post-game comments that perfectly captured the underdog mentality we're seeing across the NBA this season. After his team's loss to PLDT, he told his players, "All the sets were close but we lost. I told my players after the match that we are the challengers. That's why my players played much better today." That exact mindset is transforming several NBA franchises right now, and it's why I believe we're witnessing one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.
The challenger mentality Yamamoto described is precisely what's fueling the Oklahoma City Thunder's surprising 42-20 record this season. I've been particularly impressed with how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has embraced being the hunter rather than the hunted. Watching him drop 31.1 points per game while maintaining that quiet confidence reminds me of a young Kobe Bryant - there's no flashy trash talk, just relentless execution. What fascinates me about this Thunder squad is how they've internalized being underestimated. They play like every game is their championship, and frankly, it's making veterans uncomfortable. I've noticed opponents often start tight against them, perhaps feeling the pressure of being expected to win against this "rebuilding" team.
Meanwhile out East, the New York Knicks have adopted this challenger DNA in what I consider the most compelling storyline of the season. When Jalen Brunson went down with that knee injury in February, everyone wrote them off. Instead, they've gone 8-3 without their star, with Josh Hart averaging nearly 40 minutes per game during that stretch. I've never seen a team embrace fatigue quite like this Knicks squad - they're like boxers who thrive on taking punches. Their defensive rating of 111.2 during this stretch proves that Tom Thibodeau has them buying into that gritty, nobody-believes-in-us mentality that championship teams often cultivate.
The international influence on the NBA has never been more apparent, and Victor Wembanyama's rookie season with the Spurs demonstrates why global basketball philosophies matter. At 7'4" with a 8-foot wingspan, he's putting up numbers we haven't seen since rookie Shaq - 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and an absurd 3.4 blocks per game. But what's more impressive is his mental approach. I've spoken with several scouts who say Wembanyama studies volleyball blocking techniques to improve his timing, which explains why he's already revolutionized help-side defense in the NBA. His unique background brings that challenger perspective Yamamoto described - he plays like he has something to prove every single night.
We're also seeing veteran teams like the Golden State Warriors struggling with the transition from being the hunted to becoming hunters. At 33-28, they're fighting for playoff positioning rather than cruising to a top seed. What's fascinating to me is how Draymond Green has actually thrived in this underdog role after his suspension. He's averaging 9.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists since returning, numbers that surpass his season averages. Sometimes, I wonder if great teams need that psychological reset - that reminder that nobody owes them anything. The Warriors' recent comeback win against Phoenix showed me they're rediscovering that edge that made them champions.
As we approach the playoffs, I'm convinced this challenger mentality will determine who lifts the Larry O'Brien trophy in June. The teams that embrace being underestimated while maintaining that hunger through adversity - much like Yamamoto's volleyball squad - are the ones that typically make deep runs. Personally, I'm putting my money on Denver to repeat, but I wouldn't be surprised if Oklahoma City or Minnesota makes a surprise conference finals appearance. After covering this league since 2010, I've learned that basketball success often comes down to which teams can harness that beautiful tension between confidence and humility. The great ones never forget what it feels like to be challengers, even when they become champions.
