Oklahoma City Thunder's prominent guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is garnering widespread recognition across the professional basketball landscape, with former teammate Paul George being the latest to offer high praise. George expressed his belief that Gilgeous-Alexander is poised to spearhead the upcoming era of the NBA, citing his remarkable growth, unwavering dedication, and superior court vision as key attributes that position him alongside historical figures like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry who have shaped past epochs of the sport.
Gilgeous-Alexander's outstanding performance during the 2024–25 season saw him guide the Thunder to an impressive 68–14 regular-season record, the best in the league. His exceptional contributions earned him the Most Valuable Player award, as he consistently delivered across the board with averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per contest, all while maintaining an efficient 51.9% shooting percentage from the field. His leadership was pivotal in securing the franchise's first NBA championship since its relocation from Seattle, a triumph that also earned him the Finals MVP accolade after a hard-fought seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers.
His scoring prowess was particularly evident during the NBA Finals, where he amassed 72 points in the first two games, setting a new league record for a player making their debut in the championship series. By the conclusion of the Finals, his scoring average stood at an impressive 34.9 points per game. Furthermore, he achieved a remarkable feat by recording at least 30 points in 15 playoff games, placing him in an exclusive group alongside legends such as Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kobe Bryant. Expanding on his playmaking abilities, Gilgeous-Alexander also established an NBA record with 12 playoff games featuring at least 30 points and 5 assists, surpassing both Jordan and James in this specific statistical category.
Paul George, who shared the court with Gilgeous-Alexander during his inaugural season in Los Angeles, noted the profound transformation and ascent of his former teammate. George emphasized that Gilgeous-Alexander is carving out a unique and distinguished path for himself, affirming his conviction that the young athlete undeniably represents the future of the league.
Indeed, the future appears to be arriving swiftly, as Gilgeous-Alexander has already demonstrated his dominant scoring capabilities by leading the league in total games with 20, 30, 40, and 50 points during the regular season. This made him the first Canadian player in NBA history to claim the scoring title. Moreover, he quickly became the fastest player in Thunder franchise history to reach the 10,000 career point milestone, surpassing several team records previously held by former superstar Kevin Durant. With a youthful core and an formidable defensive strategy, Gilgeous-Alexander's guidance has revitalized the Oklahoma City franchise, firmly placing them back in the conversation for championship contention. The team's record-breaking regular season and their recent championship mark a significant resurgence for the organization.
