When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit the NBA floors this year, OKC won 16 of 35 possible games. In other words, the franchise of Sam Presti, almost doomed to the depths of the Western Conference after the departures of Chris Paul and Dennis Schröder, had the potential to get involved in the race for the play-in.
Unfortunately, the Canadiens’ injury put an end to meager playoff hopes and Sam Presti’s team had a horrendous record of 3 wins for 26 losses to end the season.
A leader who brings together
New “franchise player”, Shai Gilgeous Alexander produced his best career season with almost 24 points (51% shooting, 42% from distance and 80% on the line), 6 assists and almost 5 rebounds on average. What convince the management to offer him a maximum contract of 172 million dollars over 5 years.
Traded for Paul George to make him the face of the franchise, the rear is progressing year by year, he clearly took advantage of Chris Paul’s passage to soak up his managerial qualities.
Favorite of Doc Rivers during his rookie year, this almost 2-meter combo guard amazes with his composure and maturity. “Shai is very smart and he understands the dynamics of the team. He understands the confidence he can bring to this team and what positive things it can bring. He’s optimistic by nature, which is great, especially in today’s world. He comes to the room every day with a smile. “ testifies Sam Presti. He is ready to work because he is a huge competitor. “
“He leads us on and off the floor. His work ethic is impeccable, whether in the field, in the weight room, in treatment. No matter what decisions he makes, it’s always with the goal of improving and improving the team. “ ensures a Darius Bazley also in full progress.
A permanent threat to opponents
SGA entered the league with an easy loose style. However, he does not hesitate to provoke the opposing defenses. With his 25 “drives” per game, he is even the leader of the backs in this field and he is efficient with 13 points and 55.4% success in this configuration.
But the 11th draft pick isn’t just a scorer as advanced stats show he tries to find a partner 48% of the time when he enters the racket. This alternation makes him unpredictable and allows his partners to take easy shots. “He provokes effective shots for himself but also for others. He is very comfortable in painting because he creates for the team but can also go on the throw line. It is the mark of a decisive player and he is on the right track ” thinks Mark Daigneault. “It allows us to play basketball based on a collective game where everyone is able to make decisions with or without the ball. “
« Now you have to take it two, manage its defensive rotations and those teams that force you to do this are the most difficult to defend. “
Qualities of understanding the game that are not given to everyone. “He likes to analyze what is going on around him. It’s pretty impressive for a young player. He’s fantastic on the pitch, he doesn’t think about stats or even individual awards. He only thinks of the competition. “ Daigneault said the coach.
SGA has become the centerpiece of the Thunder system. His ability to do everything now offers good prospects for the future to the franchise in search of a successor to Russell Westbrook. “Now the opponents face a dilemma. You play against a player able to draw 3-points out of the dribble, who goes a lot of times in the paint, gets the faults and comes out to offer easy shots to his partners. “ analyzes the coach.
Enough to make his team dangerous for years to come. ” Now you have to take it two, manage its defensive rotations and those teams that force you to do this are the most difficult to defend. “
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | LAC | 82 | 27 | 47.6 | 36.7 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 10.8 |
| 2019-20 | OKC | 70 | 35 | 47.1 | 34.7 | 80.7 | 0.7 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 19.0 |
| 2020-21 | OKC | 35 | 34 | 50.8 | 41.8 | 80.8 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 23.7 |
| Total | 187 | 31 | 48.2 | 37.3 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 16.3 | |
