The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the Paul George trade five seasons ago. However, SGA has continuously gone above and beyond expectations since joining the Thunder and has taken on the position as a key figure in the group. After starting a rebuild a few years ago, Shai’s leadership has returned the young squad to championship contention.
Last season, the Thunder were viewed as the underdog, but now they are the front-runners to win the Western Conference in 2024–25. In fact, Gilgeous-Alexander placed second in the MVP voting last season. Thus, it is evident that the 26-year-old is eager to guide his club to unprecedented success this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talks about his role for Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander shared his thoughts on his position on the current roster with Clemente Almanza, managing editor of the Thunder Wire, prior to the commencement of their campaign. He said :
“No knock on anybody that’s not a star player but growing up, you watch Kobe Bryant, cornerstone of the Lakers franchise; you watch LeBron James, cornerstone of Cleveland franchise; you watch Allen Iverson, cornerstone of Philly’s franchise. Those are the guys budding in your face when you watch the game of basketball.”
“The guys you go out and try to emulate and go out there and inspire to play the game. Indirectly, (Presti) has given me that opportunity to be that guy,”
SGA on being the Thunder’s franchise player: “No knock on anybody that’s not a star player but growing up, you watch Kobe Bryant, cornerstone of the Lakers franchise; you watch LeBron James, cornerstone of Cleveland franchise; you watch Allen Iverson, cornerstone of Philly’s…
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 20, 2024
If he wants to be in the same discourse as the franchise mainstays he cited, he definitely has huge shoes to fill. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant each led their teams to the promised land. Despite his inability to raise the Larry O’Brien during his career, Allen Iverson was also accountable for the 76ers’ only Finals participation in forty years. Shai wants himself to be held to these norms.
SGA and the Thunder have no excuses for missing the Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, especially because perhaps the best general manager in the league is assembling a competitive squad around him. Gilgeous-Alexander might make his MVP leap this season, like Kobe Bryant did, and let the NBA know that a new era has begun.
