Rockets Guard Pushes Back on Spurs Hype

VanVleet says San Antonio hasn't proven anything yet this season.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:41pm

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Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has pushed back against the hype surrounding the rival San Antonio Spurs this season. On his Unguarded podcast, VanVleet said the Spurs are being "crowned" before actually winning anything, noting they haven't even won a playoff series yet. The Spurs currently sit second in the Western Conference standings, while the Rockets are third.

Why it matters

The Rockets and Spurs are division rivals, so VanVleet's comments reflect the competitive nature of their relationship. His pushback on the Spurs' hype suggests he believes his team is being overlooked despite also having a strong season.

The details

VanVleet said on his podcast that people need to "slow the f*ck down" when it comes to the Spurs, arguing "it's a marathon, not a sprint." He questioned whether the Spurs have even won a playoff series, implying they haven't proven themselves yet despite their regular season success.

  • The Spurs currently sit second in the Western Conference standings with a record of 49-18.
  • The Rockets are third in the conference at 41-25.

The players

Fred VanVleet

A guard for the Houston Rockets who recently pushed back against the hype surrounding the rival San Antonio Spurs on his Unguarded podcast.

San Antonio Spurs

An NBA team that currently sits second in the Western Conference standings with a 49-18 record, drawing praise and hype from fans and media.

Houston Rockets

An NBA team that is third in the Western Conference standings with a 41-25 record, and a rival of the San Antonio Spurs.

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What they’re saying

“Have they [won] a playoff series? Everybody slow the f*ck down. It's a marathon. Not a sprint... They're having a good year, but what's the finish line, though? It's easy to say all this in the moment.”

— Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets Guard (Unguarded Podcast)

The takeaway

VanVleet's comments suggest the Rockets feel overlooked despite their own strong season, and that he believes the Spurs' hype is premature until they prove themselves in the playoffs. This reflects the competitive rivalry between the two Texas teams as they jockey for position in the Western Conference standings.