Everything is falling into place for the OKC Thunder this season.

With the calendar year almost over, OKC (20-5) sits atop the Western Conference standings. It boasts an MVP-caliber player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a top-notch supporting cast and a stifling defense that has allowed a league-low 103.5 points per game.

OKC seemingly has what it takes to win its first championship in franchise history, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith will accept nothing less.

When speaking about OKC ahead of Tuesday’s NBA Cup Finals game against Milwaukee, Smith claimed the pressure this season is on Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti.

“I led the Oklahoma City Thunder from the West to the finals,” Smith said. “I don’t look at this team and see no weakness, no excuse for another Sam Presti team to fall short. The man is great at filling out a squad.”

“He’s great at finding choices. He’s great at being at the forefront and making sure you have a competitive future. He gets star players. I even like the coaches he chooses. But somehow something is always missing. Enough is enough.”

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Smith has criticized Presti in the past, who was OKC’s general manager for all 17 seasons of the franchise.

When OKC suffered a 152-79 road loss to Memphis in the 2021-22 season, which was the largest single-game margin in NBA history, Smith used his television show the following day to condemn Presti.

“He is more to blame for what the Thunder have become than their current players,” Smith said at the time. “This man had a roster with Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson, and he still couldn’t win the damn chip. … And since that team, he’s got some talent as well.”

“Fifteen years in the job. There is not the slightest shine to it. “

Last season, however, Smith changed his mind.

OKC went 57-25. It became the youngest team in NBA history to finish first in both conferences and reached the second round of the playoffs.

The drastic turnaround prompted Smith to apologize to Presti on Jan. 3 during ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

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“I don’t apologize often,” Smith said. “But Sam Presti, on national television, I will say this. I, Stephen A. Smith, owe this man an apology. I don’t care about the championships at the moment. I can’t because I’m a Knicks fan.

“15 picks to have. Having this squad. To have her so young and playing at this level. The man is a special leader. You won’t hear any questions from me about him.”

Following his comments about Presti on Tuesday, Smith was asked by ESPN co-host Bob Myers if he believes OKC will win the championship this season.

“I don’t think anyone beats Boston,” Smith said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stephen A. Smith puts pressure on Thunder and Sam Presti to win NBA title