Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Consistency is Key to Oklahoma City's Success
Part of being a superstar talent is for a player to bring the same level of greatness each time they step on the floor. The likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have done it for a decade-plus, which gives them the credibility to have that label even at the latter part of their respective careers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may only be 25-years-old, but with another MVP-caliber season soon to be behind him, he may have already earned that status.
As the leader of the No. 2-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander is putting up averages of 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.1 steals and a block per game on 54.6-37.7-88.3% shooting splits. It's a similar stat line to his campaign last year, but this time, it's bringing winning results.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the focal point of the Thunder offense due in large part to his consistency, rarely ever missing a beat as its frontman. In 46 of his 61 games played, he's scored at least 30 points. He may not go off for 50-plus points, but rarely will he go under the 30-point mark.
In games that he doesn't reach that mark, Oklahoma City has a record of 8-7, considerably on a lower winning pace than its 43-19 record. The Thunder gets significantly worse without his usual superstar production, which means he can rarely afford to have an off-night. Rarely is that a problem, however, which is part of his mounting MVP case.
Gilgeous-Alexander — and the Thunder by proxy — have the story and results behind them to reach MVP and NBA Finals contender status. While not alone, he's been the biggest reason as to why Oklahoma City has made such a large jump in the last year. Although Nikola Jokic has just as much of a case, as per usual, the freshness building with this group might sway MVP voters once the time comes.
The Thunder has all of the opportunity in the near future to reach the mountaintop for the first time since the brand was established in 2008, and they have the leading man to make it happen. Whether it's this season or not, Gilgeous-Alexander will be a player Oklahoma City can count on to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy high one day.
But for the 25-year-old, now's the time.
When asked by Malika Andrews on if an NBA championship is attainable this year, Gilgeous-Alexander had zero doubts.
"I think we're capable of anything," Gilgeous-Alexander said.
As long as he stays as consistent in the playoffs as he is in the regular season, anything is possible for the Thunder.
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