The NBA has always been full of undisputed talents that have produced the most significant
moments in the big occasions. The competition has housed some of the sport’s most special
entertainers, from Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.
These days, alongside a few other notable names, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the show’s star,
with his Oklahoma City Thunder team currently shining in the playoffs.
Right now, Gilgeous-Alexander is lighting up the competition at its crucial stages. He’s a special
player capable of leading his team to their first NBA championship triumph since 1979, when the
team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Thanks to his input, many fans find it hard to look
past the Thunder when assessing the latest NBA lines and making finals-winning predictions with
friends. They’re flying, full of dangerous players, and with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulling the
strings, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
While Gilgeous-Alexander still has a long way to go before he can be discussed alongside the
sport’s greats, there is no denying he has the skill set to become a legend of the sport. With that in
mind, we highlight some of his key attributes below and why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is such a top
player in the NBA today.
Delivers in the most significant moments
Over the years in the sport, we’ve seen some top basketball professionals crumble under the
pressure that comes their way. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thrives in the biggest of moments, though.
Even at the time of writing, he’s entertaining audiences and delivering for his team in the playoffs,
currently averaging 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds as the Thunder prepare for the finals
against the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always rises to the occasion, something
many of the greatest players the sport has ever seen also did.
A versatile defender
Generally, the best basketball players we’ve seen haven’t always nailed the defensive side of the
game. While many have, sometimes others struggled to. What makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander so
unique is that he relishes the defensive side of the game, guarding multiple positions due to his
sheer size and having the strength to be a real nuisance for his opponents. Nowadays, he’s
regarded as an elite defensive player, with his versatility also making him another vital weapon for
the Thunder.
Perfect scorer from the floor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander specializes in scoring big game-winning points alongside his impactful
defensive game. As an all-rounder with no real weaknesses, Gilgeous-Alexander can score from
almost anywhere on the court, and his finishing ability has stood out over the years. His three-point
game did require work in the past, but he appears to have mastered yet another aspect of his
game, although his mid-range game is much more reliable overall. Still, whenever Thunder needs
digging out of a hole, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is generally the man they rely on.
A real leader
(Image via https://x.com/WizardsMuse1)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also a likable character. As such, he’s respected by fans and his
teammates alike, particularly as he tends to provide greatness in clutch moments.
Officially an MVP
Joining a list of legendary stars, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was recently crowned the 2024-25 Kia
NBA MVP. Winning the award for the first time was no surprise, given Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-
winning displays. He also became only the third Thunder player to win it in the process, with Kevin
Durant (2013/14) and Russell Westbrook (2016/17) previously winning it. Nowadays, Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder from the front and continues to grow with every game.
He’s world-class, and his MVP award is thoroughly deserved.
