NBA – After the title, huge debate at the Thunder around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander… and Kevin Durant!

Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif

In addition to being named the regular season MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also brought home his first championship in Oklahoma City history. These accomplishments have now placed him at the center of a heated debate, one that also involves Kevin Durant.

Despite his detractors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the greatest seasons of all time. It all started with the regular season: in addition to leading the Thunder to the best record in the league (68 wins for 14 losses), the guard also crowned himself MVP ahead of a historic Nikola Jokic, in addition to claiming the NBA’s leading scorer crown with a 32.7 point average.

And then there was the playoff campaign that led to the title, the first in franchise history. The journey wasn’t easy, however, as SGA and his teammates had to survive two Game 7s, against the Nuggets and then against the Pacers in the Finals. But each time, they held their own and are now at the top of the league.

After such an achievement, all eyes are obviously on the Canadian, who was also the Finals MVP. One internet user on X hastened a particularly heated debate on the Oklahoma City side, concerning his all-time status:

@HoopMixOnly: Did SGA pass KD as the best OKC player ever?

What place does SGA have in the Thunder’s all-time hierarchy?

To try to answer this question, some context is necessary. Kevin Durant played for OKC between 2007 and 2016, winning an MVP award in 2014 and four league scoring titles. We’re talking about more than 17,500 points in the franchise’s jersey, with only Russell Westbrook having scored more since.

Now, while Shai’s scoring output may be lower at the moment, he seems to have already surpassed him. He, too, was an MVP, but more importantly, he won a title and a Finals MVP with the Thunder. No one else can boast that, and he also has more seasons averaging 30 points than his elder. The fans’ verdict was therefore final:

@realnikohouse: KD wasn’t the best OKC player ever. So there’s that lol

@M_A_N_ofLetters: Yes, and it’s not close. 2nd is Westbrook.

@LECKS_: SGA did what KD, Russ, and Harden couldn’t do collectively.