Shaquille O’Neal, without a second thought, takes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic despite the Slovenian’s superior record

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a strong contender for the KIA MVP Award this season.


Shaquille O’Neal, without a second thought, takes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic despite the Slovenian’s superior record

L-R: Shaquille O’Neal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic (via Open Source/X)

Los Angeles Lakers legend and formidable center, Shaquille O’Neal, possesses firsthand experience with star power. Having played alongside some of the NBA’s greatest players, including the late Kobe Bryant, now expresses admiration for another emerging star in the league.

The Canadian superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has delivered a remarkable season. In a surprising twist, the Lakers legend ranks him higher than the Slovenian superstar and point guard for the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic.

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During a conversation with Jamal Crawford on the recent episode of the NBA on TNT pregame show, he faced the challenge of choosing between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.

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I’m gonna have to take [Gilgeous-Alexander]. This kid, he plays the right way, gets his teammates involved, and when he puts his head down and goes to the basket, no one. I’m taking him right now. He’s definitely emerged as one of my favorite players to watch. Because I like stories like this, guys that come out of nowhere and then they’re a force to be reckoned with. He’s a hell of a player right now.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable, ascending from 10.8 points per game as a rookie to an impressive 19 points per game in his second year. The breakthrough moment unfolded in the 2022-23 season, where he showcased exceptional averages of 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.

Currently, this season, he maintains an average of 31.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. His outstanding contributions propel the Thunder to second place in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. On the other hand, Doncic is also having an impressive season, currently averaging 33.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC fall away at the Clippers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have experienced back-to-back losses at the Crypto.com Arena. Following their defeat to the Lakers on Tuesday, they suffered another setback last night against the Los Angeles Clippers, concluding with a score of 128-117. This marks their second consecutive loss since their defeat on January 6th, away at the Brooklyn Nets.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (via Open Source/X)

SGA concluded the game with 19 points, two rebounds, and four assists. Meanwhile, Paul George of the Clippers dominated the charts, leading with 38 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Next for the Thunders is a trip to the Delta Center, Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz who are currently on a six game winning streak.

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