Kendrick Perkins Labeling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Greatest Thunder of All-Time Triggers Fans: “Really Hates KD & Westbrook”

After winning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as Oklahoma City Thunder players to win MVP.

Kendrick Perkins Labeling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Greatest Thunder of All-Time Triggers Fans: “Really Hates KD & Westbrook”

Kendrick Perkins labels Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the greatest Thunder player ever (Image via FirstSportz)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented himself as one of the best players in NBA history after a stellar campaign that helped his Oklahoma City Thunder streak to the top of the league. Last season, he almost did something similar, but lost out to Nikola Jokic in the MVP race.

This time, SGA was not to be denied, as those with a vote selected him as the 2024-25 regular season MVP. The win had the Canadian superstar excited enough that he spent a lot of money gifting his teammates Rolexes.

He knows what he has achieved, as he became the third Thunder player in franchise history to win the league MVP award. In the eyes of many, this win is extra special considering the team was top of the league. At least that is what former Thunder center Kendrick Perkins believes makes SGA the greatest franchise player ever.

The greatest Thunder of all time. He already joined the company of Michael Jordan this year. 3 consecutive seasons shooting over 50%. Now he hoisted up the MVP trophy. Now he is on his way to go into the NBA finals, and he is going to win an NBA championship and he is going to become Finals MVP.

Kendrick Perkins said on ESPN

The NBA champion believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has matured into a leader and is leading his team by example. That is a hallmark of a great player, and that is what led Kendrick Perkins to label him to be the best to ever play for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fans have a problem with Kendrick Perkins labeling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the greatest Thunder ever

Basketball fans could not believe Kendrick Perkins’ claim of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the greatest Oklahoma City Thunder player ever. They found it to be absurd, considering Perkins played alongside two of the best to ever play the game in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Fans could not believe he skipped past those two future Hall of Famers to talk about a player who has a narrative built around him for flopping. Fans took to social media to vent their anger. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to become the greatest Oklahoma City Thunder player ever. All he has to do is continue to win against the Minnesota Timberwolves and advance to the NBA Finals. Then, he has to cement his legacy by winning the franchise its first-ever NBA championship.

Winning a title will help the 26-year-old surpass Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s legacy. The two veterans might have placed the Thunder on the basketball map. But winning a championship will make SGA a legend.

Jay Williams defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s free-throw merchant tag

The only problem Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might face in terms of a question mark on his legacy is if fans continue to point out that he is a free-throw merchant. His ability to draw foul calls out of nothing has forced fans to label him a flopper. But ESPN analyst Jay Williams does not believe that narrative is exclusive to the Thunder star.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is exceptional at drawing foul calls
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is exceptional at drawing foul calls (Image via Open Source/X)

125 free throw attempts in 13 games. Wild. Unless you are, I don’t know, LeBron 2009, 188. MJ in 89, 190….. Shai is doing what legends have always done, but now it’s a problem? SGA is just unguardable, and some folks are just mad he’s not doing it with a loud shoe deal or a reality show. Same moves, new era, stop crying, play defense.

Jay Williams said

Williams threw up statistics to prove that every great player in the history of the sport has resorted to free throws. It is a part of the game, and unless a defense can figure out how to stop that from happening, the player in question will continue to exploit it. In his opinion, that makes SGA great as a basketball player.

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