Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has publicly asserted that he is the best player in the NBA, pointing to his sustained individual production and team success over recent seasons.
At 28 years old, the Canadian superstar stated his case during an interview with Sean Gregory for Time magazine. Gilgeous-Alexander argued that his nightly output and efficiency place him at the very top of the league’s hierarchy.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Asserts His Place at the Top
“I think I am the best player in the NBA. I think my production, night in and night out, is that of the best player in the NBA. I think the efficiency with which I do it is that of the best player in the NBA,” Gilgeous-Alexander told Time.
To support his claim, the Thunder guard emphasized team victories. “I think everyone who picks up a basketball, a football, or a tennis racket does it to win the game, no matter the discipline. And I’ve won quite a few games over the last couple of years,” he said.
A Decorated Resume Supporting the Claim
Gilgeous-Alexander’s argument rests on a heavy accumulation of individual and team hardware over the past two seasons. In 2025, he guided Oklahoma City to an NBA championship while sweeping the regular-season Most Valuable Player award, the Finals MVP trophy, and the league scoring title.
The following season, despite the Thunder falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander captured his second regular-season MVP award while leading his club to the best record in the NBA. At 28, his career resume includes two MVP awards, one NBA title, a Finals MVP trophy, and four All-NBA team selections.
Handling Criticism Over Fouls and Contact
Alongside his rise to superstardom, Gilgeous-Alexander has faced persistent criticism from opposing fans regarding his ability to draw fouls and earn trips to the free-throw line. The guard has ranked among the top three players in free-throw attempts per game over the past four seasons, leading some detractors to accuse him of exaggerating contact.
The Thunder star remains unfazed by the online discourse surrounding his style of play. “Playing this sport has brought incredible things to my life and my family’s life,” Gilgeous-Alexander told Time. “And if the worst thing that can happen to me because of basketball is that there’s negative discourse about me on social media, then I would sign up for that a million times out of a million.”
The Quest to Retake the Crown
Having fallen short in his bid for back-to-back championships following Oklahoma City’s playoff exit, Gilgeous-Alexander enters the upcoming campaign aiming to validate his status on the floor. The Thunder face a demanding Western Conference as they look to reclaim the league's top seed.
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