Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried the mantle of a franchise star admirably for the Oklahoma City Thunder and was recently asked about that responsibility by media at Thunder practice, prompting the 26-year-old guard to open up on following the franchise star blueprint he’s seen players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Allen Iverson set over the last two decades.
“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.”
Few people become synonymous with the franchises they played for with the examples Shai shared being perfect examples. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in the NBA but their arena is still referred to as the ‘House That Kobe Built,’ in honor of the five championships he won for the franchise and city.
LeBron James is singlehandedly responsible for almost all the Playoff success the Cleveland Cavaliers have enjoyed in the last 20 years, including their incredible 2016 NBA Championship triumph.
Allen Iverson has given the Philadelphia 76ers their only real shot at contention since their last title win in 1984 by leading them to the 2001 NBA Finals and stopping Kobe’s Lakers from winning that title by going undefeated in the Playoffs.
Shai is expected to be an MVP candidate for the OKC Thunder this season, as the 2014 Finalists hope to make a run through the West as the best team in the loaded Conference.
The guard has been All-NBA First Team for the last two years, averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists last season while leading the franchise to the No. 1 seed in the West.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gearing Up For An MVP Season
The 2024-25 season is expected to be the year the OKC Thunder finally return to the upper echelon of contention.
Last season saw them re-establish their names as threats in the West with an unlikely run to the No. 1 seed behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible performances, which led to him being the runner-up for the award behind Nikola Jokic and ahead of Luka Doncic.
NBA GMs back Shai to win his first MVP this season after the Thunder made moves to add Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to the franchise, virtually guaranteeing a top seed for the rising franchise.
Shai just needs to sustain the level of play we’ve seen from him in the last two seasons and the rotational pieces around him could put the Thunder in contention for 60 wins this season.
Winning MVP won’t be easy for Shai, especially with Luka Doncic’s Mavericks expected to be among the contenders in the West as well. Luka is guaranteed to have greater production than Shai because of his usage.
If the Mavericks have a win total that is comparable to the Thunder, the trophy might finally be in Luka’s grasp after a sixth season of contention, but Shai will be determined to maximize his team’s success, which would invariably make him a contender for the award as well.
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