Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks delusional after his monetary demand to make NBA All-star game more competitive

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says 'Money talks" when asked about ideas to increase player motivation during all-star games

Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks delusional after his monetary demand to make NBA All-star game more competitive

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The 2023 All-star game was a farce in terms of seriousness. Jaylen Brown called it a “glorified layup line” and the Nuggets coach called it the worst basketball game he had ever seen. When OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about his thoughts he had a very ‘out of touch’ response to say the least. “Money talks you know… If there’s more incentive I think guys will take it seriously,” said Shai.

Shai is a great player but is still very young and naturally, money minded. The statement can be seen as quite shallow for an NBA player who already earns so much money at an event for charity. Monetary incentives for an All-star game would make it redundant as the entire point is about charity. Also, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earns around 3-4 million dollars a year which makes ‘money talks’ quite an insensitive comment.

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Although to be fair to Shai, he did say that he enjoyed the current All-Star game and does not feel a need for it to be competitive. “It’s super fun the way it is now and I have no complaints,” said Shai. Although it is still his first all-star game so he could just be excited and overwhelmed to be involved. The more games he plays he will want to get competitive with people he meets in the playoffs. “I don’t think it needs to be fixed… But there for sure is a way,” said Shai. The players might be content with the all-star game but at the end of the day, it is for the fans.

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Also Read: “Same s**t,” Russell Westbrook’s Clippers joining gets brutal take from JJ Redick

The entire league is waiting for playoff Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous Alexander has been incredible this season with OKC but he has had many great moments since 2018. He was drafted in 2018 by the Clippers and played one playoff series for them in his rookie year. In that series, he had multiple great games including 25 points in game 3 while shooting 60% from 3. The Clippers did end up losing in 6 to the Warriors but the league saw a glimpse.

Since then Shai was traded in a package that is questioned to this day. The Clippers got PG while the Thunder got Galinari, Shai, and a bunch of picks. Although Shai right now is proving every season that OKC might have won the trade in the long run. Shai is averaging 30 points per game on 50% shooting this season. He has turned into an elite scorer for the Thunder.

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Shai played one playoff series with OKC in the 2020 bubble. He was not the main guy on that team as Chris Paul was leading them, and had just one 30-point outing in the series as OKC fell in 7. He has had an impressive leap in every department since then. It will be very interesting to see how he fairs if OKC makes the play-ins. OKC is currently in a play-in spot so they do have a chance at making the last 8. Playoff Shai is yet to take its true form and it promises to be a spectacle.

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