In a showdown against fellow All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance stole the spotlight, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he scored 11 of his game-high 33 points. The win, however, was not without its share of controversy, as Edwards expressed frustration, attributing the outcome to what he perceived as favorable officiating for Gilgeous-Alexander.
After the game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander subtly responded to the comments made by Edwards. Taking to Instagram, he captioned his post with a cryptic statement:
“They talk about me for my post game, not my postgame.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2YCKYPPJOB
This enigmatic remark hinted at Gilgeous-Alexander’s focus on showcasing his skills on the court rather than engaging in postgame commentary or controversy.
Anthony Edwards, visibly frustrated by the loss, didn’t shy away from expressing his sentiments about the officiating. While acknowledging the talent of the Thunder, Edwards pinpointed the challenges of defending against a team led by an MVP-caliber point guard like Gilgeous-Alexander. Edwards criticized the frequency of foul calls favoring SGA, stating:
“You can’t touch him any time of the game. It’s super hard to beat. That team is a good team, especially when they’re getting calls like that.”
Despite airing his grievances about the officiating, Edwards also took personal accountability for his performance. He emphasized the need to improve, acknowledging that he generated most of the turnovers. Edwards recognized the formidable challenge posed by the Thunder and highlighted the difficulty in shutting them down when calls seemingly favor their star player.
The budding rivalry between Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards adds an intriguing storyline to the NBA season, with both players striving to assert themselves as dominant forces in the league.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has A Very Good Chance To Win His First MVP Award
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not just having a stellar season; he’s making a compelling case for his first MVP award. Averaging an impressive 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.2 steals, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a force on both ends of the court. His efficiency is notable, shooting 54.9% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s success is also reflected in their standing, currently securing the 2nd spot in the competitive Western Conference with a 29-13 record.
Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP and the only player ahead of Shai in the MVP race is having another outstanding season with 35.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. However, Embiid has already missed 10 games, and the NBA collective agreements stipulate that he must play at least 65 games to be eligible for the MVP award. With Embiid on pace to exceed that limit, his availability for the remainder of the season becomes crucial.
In contrast, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been remarkably durable, missing only one game throughout the season. This durability could play a pivotal role in the MVP race, especially if Embiid faces more games on the sidelines. While Embiid’s focus may rightly be on winning the championship, the MVP race often hinges on both individual excellence and availability.
Considering Shai’s consistent performance, combined with his durability and the potential uncertainty around Embiid’s eligibility, Gilgeous-Alexander emerges as a strong MVP contender. If he continues at this pace and leads the Thunder to sustained success, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might indeed secure his first MVP award by the end of the season.
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