NBA – «He’s efficient like Jordan and relentless like Kobe, he has zero flaws»

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NBA (DR) / Keith Allison (CC)

Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the league’s most unstoppable scorers, and that’s been confirmed during these NBA Finals. He’s also been praised by two former players, including Kendrick Perkins.

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With Game 3 set to take place tonight, the Thunder will once again be counting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to fuel the scoring. It must be said that the guard has been off to a spectacular start since the start of the series against the Pacers, scoring 72 points. No one had ever scored points in their NBA Finals debut throughout two games, and this time, the new MVP is showing off his full range:

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Kendrick Perkins raves about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In addition to being voted the regular season’s best player, the Canadian took the title of best scorer with an average of 32.7 points. This is already the third year in a row that he has surpassed 30 points per game, and while many people call him a free-throw merchant, that doesn’t take away from his talent. Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins showered him with praise, comparing him to two legends:

He’s the best perimeter player in basketball. He’s knocking at the door of being the best player in basketball. He’s efficient like Jordan, relentless like Kobe. When it comes down to how he attacks and how efficient he is, especially from the midrange. When you talk about the guy that’s leading the postseason in midrange jump shots, that’s him.

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6”6″ long arms, can post you up, however you want it, is gonna create space, turns round over both shoulders. He’s dethroned Kevin Durant, in my opinion, right now as the best scorer in the league. He has zero flaws.

A very complimentary speech, which also echoes that of Michael Cage, the former NBA player who particularly appreciates SGA’s mid-range game:

He reminds me of a Jordan-like player. He’s not afraid of contact. He’s not afraid to get in the mid-range. He’s got the three-point shot in his pocket but pulls it out timely when he wants. Today’s modern NBA offenses are based around either deep threes or deep paint finish. He’s brought back the mid-range. (…) That mid-range where he dominates, where he is just fun to watch, that’s where he reminds me of Jordan