Social Media React: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes First All-Star Start

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his first-ever NBA All-Star start on Sunday, and social media had plenty of reactions to the milestone.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have produced another NBA All-Star starter.

One of the most well-run organizations has watched a player nearly fully grow into the player they became right here in Oklahoma City. Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's rookie campaign with the Clippers, the Thunder have watched the Canadian take each step up the NBA ladder.

Now, the superstar is starting in his first NBA All-Star game (second appearance), is in the thick of MVP conversations and is being crowned as a potential next face of the NBA. 

This was after Oklahoma City made the tough decision to shift away from Russell Westbrook and Paul George to start a rebuild with built-in uncertainty in a small market. After producing three MVPs and seeing countless Hall of Famers pass through the halls, there was no guarantee the Bricktown boys would get back here.

As the Thunder floor general heard his name called in Gainbridge Fieldhouse as an All-Star starter, it felt like a full-circle moment for the franchise. 

SGA’s lob to KD pic.twitter.com/M5G9MZozBa

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 19, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in a custom knit pair of the Converse All-Star BB Trilliant pic.twitter.com/fISdyUecHr

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) February 19, 2024

That's our All-Star starter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🗣👏#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/xAZevO1DpH

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 19, 2024

It’s been so cool watching his evolution. Probably the best development story I’ve ever seen watching hoops.

It was less than three years ago I was arguing on this app to my wits end that Shai was a superstar No. 1 option. He keeps proving all of us right every year. https://t.co/myzwxqMTCs

— Ross Lovelace (@Rosslovelace) February 19, 2024

Candace Parker: "The thing that impresses me most about SGA... he's a guard and he's top 5 in paint points in the league."

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 19, 2024

Okay Shai! Took ‘Chet Holmgren’s Class for Self-Lobs’

— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) February 19, 2024

Gilgeous-Alexander has set a career high for points in an All-Star game after scoring just nine a season ago, he reached double figures within his first ten minutes of action. This is shaping up to be the first of many stars for the max contract point guard in his career.  

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