Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a talented player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, isn’t deterred by the heated discussions around this season’s MVP.
The NBA is reaching a fever pitch while debating who should win the NBA MVP Award—a story as old as time, a song as old as rhythm. 50 games is a contentious topic, with views ranging from the new games played policy to the typical topics.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the outstanding player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been leading these discussions and usually has a seat at the table. Given that Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder have a 35-15 record, there is a compelling case to be made for his being the team captain in the clubhouse.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks about MVP Discussions
Gilgeous-Alexander would become the first Thunder player to win the MVP award since Russell Westbrook in 2017 and only the second Canadian to win the title of league MVP (after Steve Nash in 2005 and 2006) if the votes go in his favor. He said,
“Obviously I am not naive, I can hear [the MVP talks], now I channel it out and try to focus on the day in and day out. It is what’s got me to this point, and I would be stupid to do otherwise. So I focus on the day-to-day for sure,”
Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t letting this rise in notoriety or the heated debates surrounding the first-time All-Star starter detract from his game.
In addition to averaging 31.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists, a league-high 2.3 steals, and almost a block a game this season, the Thunder star is shooting 54% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 89% from the charity line.