OKLAHOMA CITY — The world being the dimensions it’s, and given Canada’s place in it, it’s not all that usually that an athlete carrying our passport is one of the best at one thing.
The record is fairly quick. Wayne Gretzky is one of the best hockey participant who has ever lived. Donovan Bailey was the quickest man on the planet for some time — a world champion, Olympic champion and world document holder. Christine Sinclair is the best aim scorer within the annals of worldwide soccer, and if Steve Nash wasn’t the best basketball participant of his era, he was for a time one of the best level guard. He was named probably the most worthwhile participant within the NBA twice. There have been some unbelievable performers in numerous Olympic disciplines, to make certain and Ferguson Jenkins, Larry Walker and Joey Votto all had moments the place they have been one of the best at what they did in Main League Baseball. There are different examples, definitely.
And whereas it’s too early to counsel that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best basketball participant on the earth — a shifting goal if there ever was one — by now it’s fairly clear that the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard is nicely on his option to being a part of that conversion, and he’s solely 25 years outdated.
He’s already fairly rattling good, and one of the best is nearly definitely to return.
He would be the main candidate to win the MVP award this yr. He’s statistically on par with any of his quick record of rivals, his group is on the very prime of the standings, having made an enormous leap from final season, and every thing the Thunder do runs by means of him. He’s bought a compelling case.
He is aware of it too, although with the youthful Thunder a darkish horse title contender after lacking the playoffs for 3 straight years, he’s bought his eyes on the larger image. However the MVP speak is rising, so no level pretending it’s not there or avoiding it.
“For positive [winning MVP] can be up there [as a personal goal],” Gilgeous-Alexander stated after I requested how he’s navigating the thrill within the midst of breakthrough season for the Thunder as a bunch. “I feel for each basketball participant it’s. Clearly I’m not naive, I can hear [the talk], however proper now I channel it out and I attempt to concentrate on the day in, time out. It’s what bought me so far. I’d be silly to concentrate on anything.
He’s managing all of it fairly nicely, irrespective of the circumstance.
The newest instance was OKC’s hard-fought 135-127 double-overtime win over the reeling Toronto Raptors. With the Thunder lacking the second-best perimeter participant, Jalen Williams and their greatest shooter, Isaiah Joe, the apparent transfer was to ship a second defender at Gilgeous-Alexander each time potential and Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic leaned into the technique closely, going as far to make use of a box-and-1 method to disclaim Gilgeous-Alexander the ball throughout time beyond regulation. Total the technique labored for lengthy stretches because the Raptors sprinted out to a 63-47 lead at halftime and pushed their benefit to 23 factors.
var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-260504” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);
/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.consists of(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)
if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}
var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)
if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.change(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}
$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (doc.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3Epercent3C/scriptpercent3E”) );
$( doc ).one( “prepared’, perform() {
$( “#video_container-260504” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: true,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6346252544112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6346252544112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/thunder-surge-back-from-23-points-down-to-take-4th-quarter-lead-vs-raptors/”
});
});
var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-500629” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);
/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346252544112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.consists of(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)
if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}
var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)
if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.change(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}
$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (doc.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3Epercent3C/scriptpercent3E”) );
$( doc ).one( “prepared’, perform() {
$( “#video_container-500629” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: false,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6346252544112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6346252544112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/thunder-surge-back-from-23-points-down-to-take-4th-quarter-lead-vs-raptors/”
});
});
However the Thunder star refused to power the problem and continued to try to make the proper move and the proper play. The Thunder shot simply 7-of-25 from three within the first half however shot 39.5 per cent on 38 makes an attempt the remainder of the best way. The end result was a formidable comeback win and if his 23 factors have been nicely beneath Gilgeous-Alexander’s season common, his 14 assists tied a profession excessive.
“It was simply trusting one another, actually … as a way to win in a sustainable manner requires you to belief one another and guys in that locker room belief one another, so due to that, we have been in a position to win [tonight].”
The sport additionally highlighted Gilgeous-Alexander’s enhancing defensive play as one other necessary plank in his MVP platform. He leads the NBA in steals and had certainly one of his two thefts within the closing minute of time beyond regulation, stripping Immanuel Quickley within the paint in a tie sport, whereas certainly one of his three blocks was on the possibly game-winning Gary Trent Jr. three-point try because the horn sounded on the finish of the primary time beyond regulation interval.
It’s elite stuff.
Gilgeous-Alexander bought some sturdy assist from fellow World Cup teammate Lu Dort, who was essential on the Thunders comeback, profiting from the area and alternatives the Raptors protection afforded him as he completed with 22 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists, going 5-of-12 from three. That was sufficient to offset a giant night time from RJ Barrett, the third soon-to-Olympian on the ground as he got here again from a three-game absence on account of knee soreness to place up 23 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists. Scottie Barnes had 19 factors, seven rebounds and 9 assists, however was unusually passive down the stretch, counting simply two factors — and taking simply three photographs — in closing 22 minutes of the sport. The loss dropped the Twelfth-place Raptors to 17-32 as they play the fifth of a six-game highway journey in New Orleans Monday night time. The Thunder improved to 35-15 are tied for one of the best document within the Western Convention.
Gilgeous-Alexander definitely doesn’t must say a lot about his MVP case. His play is loud sufficient to be heard from the wide-open areas of one of many NBA’s smallest markets all the best way throughout the basketball world.
Final season, at age 24, he turned the primary Canadian apart from Nash to earn first-team all-NBA recognition, ending fifth in league MVP voting after serving to the rebuilding Thunder again to relevance as they certified for the play-in event and simply missed out on a playoff spot.
Now — after main Canada to a historic bronze medal on the FIBA Basketball World Cup this previous summer season — the calm, lanky level guard from Hamilton has raised his sport once more.
var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-858132” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);
/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.consists of(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)
if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}
var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)
if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.change(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}
$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (doc.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3Epercent3C/scriptpercent3E”) );
$( doc ).one( “prepared’, perform() {
$( “#video_container-858132” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: true,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6346253274112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6346253274112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/raptors-fail-to-close-out-strong-start-in-double-overtime-loss-to-thunder/”
});
});
var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-630949” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);
/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.internet/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6346253274112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.consists of(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)
if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}
var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)
if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.change(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}
$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (doc.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3Epercent3C/scriptpercent3E”) );
$( doc ).one( “prepared’, perform() {
$( “#video_container-630949” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: false,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6346253274112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6346253274112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/raptors-fail-to-close-out-strong-start-in-double-overtime-loss-to-thunder/”
});
});
Even to those that have recognized Gilgeous-Alexander since earlier than he was ‘SGA’, it’s eye-opening.
“He was [always] actually good,” stated Barrett, who performed AAU basketball with Gilgeous-Alexander and who first performed on the senior nationwide group with him in the summertime of 2016, after they have been nonetheless in highschool. Tellingly, they exchanged a heat, outdated mates hug within the hallway after the sport. “However he was quick. After which he bought to six’6 out of nowhere. Then he simply turned unstoppable. He’s actually good. I at all times inform folks that Shai is likely one of the greatest basketball gamers I’ve ever seen play.”
With assist from main rookie-of-the-year candidate Chet Holmgren, the development of the likes of Dort, who has added deadeye three-point capturing (a career-best 38.8 per cent to date this season) to his defensive wizardry, and an extended roster of younger expertise and the deepest assortment of draft property within the league, the Thunder are poised to hitch the NBA’s elite and keep there for some time.
However Gilgeous-Alexander is their signature star, placing up field rating strains which have achieved solely by the NBA’s greats. Earlier than Sunday he was averaging 31.3 factors per sport (a fraction off his profession excessive, set final season), 6.4 assists (a career-high), 2.3 steals (career-high) and capturing a career-best 54.8 per cent from the ground.
Solely 14 gamers in league historical past — nearly all hall-of-famers or hall-of-fame sure, the Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Oscar Robertson crowd, in different phrases — have averaged at the very least 30 factors and 6 assists for a complete season. Solely six have executed it whereas averaging two steals or extra and 5 of them have been MVP award winners. Of that group, the one participant who has ever executed all that whereas scoring extra effectively that Gilgeous-Alexander — who has a real capturing share of 65.1 — is two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion Steph Curry.
What’s been most outstanding this season is how usually he’s been at his greatest. He’s scored 30 factors or extra in 37 of the Thunder’s first 50 video games, probably the most 30-point video games within the first 50 video games of a season since Michael Jordan had 42 in 1986-87.
“He’s far more constant on simply on his method in regards to the sport, how he can rating each single night time — 30 factors each single night time, each time I have a look at the ticker, he’s bought 30 — he’s environment friendly, very environment friendly. And he’s mixing in additional threes, their group’s very cohesive and he’s the focus of it,” stated Dillon Brooks, the Houston Rocket who shared bronze with Gilgeous-Alexander final summer season and has battled him up-close for years within the Western Convention. “He can get downhill, bought the mid-range, the post-up. He’s bought loads to his bag, and he is aware of tips on how to tackle bodily agitators. I don’t know the way he does it each single night time, he’s a particular participant and simply locked into his craft.”
And his defence? “He is aware of he has to preserve power [for] offence,” says Brooks, who earned all-defence honours final season. “However I really feel like he’s bought good instincts on deflections and steals for the previous three years. It goes unseen however he’s up there in steals each single yr. He’s bought nice timing and palms and when he desires to he can slide and keep in entrance of fellows.”
Like every thing, it’s a course of. His head coach sees a participant who’s locked in and unwavering.
“He’s a robotic in the case of his each day routine. Not solely in season, however within the low season. He’s bought an unbelievable arrange in Hamilton. He simply goes into like, hibernation,” says Thunder boss Mark Daigneault, who’s a favorite for coach-of-the-year honours. “It’s very, quite simple. It’s in his hometown, it’s with hometown individuals. There’s simply no fluff. He’s simply goes to work each single day … you possibly can have a look at your watch and know the place he’s. And so if you end up that constant of a employee, it places you in place to be that constant of a participant, and clearly he will get himself there each night time to play at that degree. He’s a reasonably spectacular man.”
To hearken to Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s clear that his method is extra about him as an individual and the way he lives his life, than him as a basketball participant making an attempt to suit a spherical peg right into a sq. gap. No matter he does, he’s intentional and willful about. Basketball is simply the factor everybody notices.
“I’m very, very strict on consistency in each facet of life,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated to me, post-game. “And I feel it helps my basketball. Whether or not it’s my consuming, my day-to-day schedule, how clear my home is. It’s what I do with my time, whether or not I’m taking part in or not. I attempt to be very, very strict on self-discipline, being constant. I feel it helps with my basketball.”
What has additionally helped, he’s satisfied, is taking part in for the nationwide group the previous two summers. The aggressive focus and the depth of competitors within the low season he believes, has helped elevate his play through the NBA season. He’s seen it throughout the league too, as others from the nationwide group — be it Brooks, Barrett, or Dort, to call three — are within the midst of sturdy common seasons.
“I’m a giant advocate of taking part in FIBA basketball,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “The model of play, the tempo they play at, the physicality. On the finish of the day you’re taking part in actual basketball with actual refs, actual sport administration, actual coaches within the summertime when most guys aren’t, and it offers you extra reps and will get you extra prepared for the NBA season. The final two seasons I’ve performed FIBA basketball I’ve felt extra sharp coming into the season.”
How a lot sharper that edge can get is tough to think about. In simply his sixth skilled season if he’s not one of the best participant within the NBA, he’s getting awfully shut. The argument will solely get stronger with a deep playoff run, an MVP award and maybe an Olympic medal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking his systematic, disciplined method and is working methodically in direction of all of it, and a spot within the pantheon of Canadian sport alongside the best way.