Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Ready to Embrace Being OKC Thunder Cornerstone

The Oklahoma City Thunder have built their franchise around superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he has noticed. At practice on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on the chance to be that guy.

Oct 17, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) runs down the court after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“No knock on anybody that’s not a star player, (but) growing up you watch Kobe Bryant, cornerstone of the Lakers franchise…those are the guys in your face when you watch basketball," OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after practice on Sunday.

The 26-year-old guard finds himself in that category, a one name star that is the face of one of the league's 30 franchises. a moniker placed on him after inking a max contract extention in the summer of 2021 and cemented this offseason where top exceutive Sam Presti gave him the tools to lead a contender.

This summer, fresh off a 57 win campaign that saw the Thunder post their first playoff series win since 2016 before being bounced in game 6 of the next round in Dallas, the Thunder went out and bolstered their roster.

Swapping former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey for defensive ace Alex Caruso and inking Isaiah Hartenstein to the largest free agent pact in team history a price tag that landed at $87 million dollars across five years.

Adding these two complimentary pieces with a young core led by rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who project to take an all-star level leap, leaves the Thunder atop the Western Conference Standings in nearly every 2024-25 NBA preview and in the vegas odds.

“Indirectly, [Sam Presti's] given me the opportunity to go be that guy," Gilgeous-Alexander said on Sunday after practice.

The mid-range mercenary has continued to evolve his game each season, leading to two straight top-five MVP finishes. This season, that trend has continued - albeit a small sample size in exhibition play - with his increased 3-point volume and success rate.

“Always something you can do, you’re never gonna be a perfect basketball player," Gilgeous-Alexander explained on Sunday.

Oklahoma City has given Gilgeous-Alexander the reigns of the franchise, a role he seems to embrace and has lived up to well. This season, the most anticipated in Bricktown since his arrival.

Asked Shai about his pull-up 3s and why the increased volume.

“Always something you can do, you’re never gonna be a perfect basketball player.”

Why work on that stuff now?

“Oh, just for fun. A couple summers ago I shot mad midranges.” pic.twitter.com/Hk9CtaKZNN

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) October 20, 2024

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