• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the highest-rated player on the HoopsHype MVP tracker for the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• Luka Doncic has been leading the tracker by a strong margin since the start of the tournament
• Shai’s Canada eliminated Doncic’s Slovenia in the quarter-finals of the tournament
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out-dueled Luka Doncic in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup to ensure Canada qualified for the semifinals to go up against Serbia. With Shai winning that encounter and outscoring Doncic, the World Cup MVP tracker from HoopsHype has finally moved the Canadian guard to No. 1 on their list. Fans had diverse reactions to the news.
One fan was congratulating the Thunder for having a player of Shai’s high caliber.
Congratulations Thunder fans. You have a amazing player!
— BullsKickAss (@Bullskickass) September 6, 2023
Another fan thinks SGA needs another year to be considered a superstar.
https://twitter.com/SSRole/status/1699433956435755078
More fans were advocating for Shai to be considered one of the superstars of world basketball.
When they gonna give that man his super star title pic.twitter.com/k6nVMGFDRV
— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) September 6, 2023
Some fans are still picking Luka Doncic, even though he was just eliminated by Shai.
Luca’s stat line is more productive tbh
— Elliott Wave Science (@FibsDontFib) September 6, 2023
More Doncic fans defended their star, bringing up the one-sided refereeing from the quarterfinal game between Canada and Slovenia.
Statistically : pic.twitter.com/C36YuijJ1R
— FAIQ (@UrrehmanFaiq) September 6, 2023
Fans are already getting hyped for a possible USA vs. Canada final.
Need that USA Vs Canada final so badly
— IKD (@ESPNneedsIKD) September 6, 2023
SGA scored 31 points in the 100-89 win over Slovenia. He also shot the ball more efficiently at 66.7% field goal efficiency, but his stats were inflated with 16 attempted free throws. He is averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the tournament.
Doncic heavily criticized the officiating for not calling fouls on the physical Canadian defenders who were doubling and tripling him. He still ended the game with 26 points but was ejected and couldn’t help his team close the game out in the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic Admits Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is One Of The Best In The World
After the game, Doncic spoke to reporters in a press conference. Even though it was reported that Doncic skipped media after the frustrating loss, he came out to the stage and gave massive credit to Gilgeous-Alexander by calling him one of the best in the world.
“Congratulations to Canada. They played great. Very physical game. They have one of the best players in the world, so it was very tough to guard him.”
Doncic would also make comments praising Dillon Brooks, saying that he liked his aggressive style on the court. Given the Mavericks were rumored to be in the running for Brooks’ signature before the Rockets offered him a mega contract, it makes sense why Doncic isn’t anti-Brooks like many players in the league, including his teammate Kyrie Irving.
Luka Doncic Takes The Blame For Slovenia’s Elimination At FIBA World Cup
Doncic was clearly feeling upset about how this international tournament ended for him. Even though Slovenia was far outmatched by the Canadian team that’s been called one of the best in the tournament and have seven NBA players, Doncic took accountability for not being able to lead his team to a historic win.
“It starts with me and I have to be better for my team with all emotions. Like I said, playing for the country, you want to do your best and you want to die on there. It starts with me for sure.”
Luka Doncic takes a lot of pride in representing Slovenia every summer and has done it consistently over the last three offseasons. He will likely do it next season as well, looking to book a spot in a second consecutive Olympics for his nation with a population of just under 2 million.
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