Thunder End of the Year Report Card: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to the postseason after making some adjustments this past offseason.

No one could have imagined that the Thunder would come within just one win of securing a spot in the NBA Playoffs this season, but that’s exactly what would happen. Much of that success is owed to the work ethic, leadership, and improved play of Oklahoma City’s latest player to reach superstardom: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

After injuries caused him to miss a combined 73 games over the past two seasons, the guard from Toronto bounced back in 2022-23. And this time, instead of averaging around 24 points per game, Gilgeous-Alexander produced 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists across 68 games on the back of 62.6% true shooting while posting a career-high steal percentage and block percentages of 2.2% and 2.5%, respectively.

Those statistics helped the lead guard to his first All-Star selection and a candidacy for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award while catapulting him into the history books and into conversations comparing him to some of the history’s greatest scorers: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.

Overall Grade: A+

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At the beginning of the season, many thought the Thunder a bottom-of-the-league team, and understandably so. After all, Oklahoma City was — and is — still in the midst of a long-term rebuild, fielding several players in just their first, second, or third year in the league.

But sentiment quickly shifted as the season progressed with a new and improved Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm of the Thunder’s offense. With a refined offensive skill set and a newfound appreciation for the defensive end, the Canadian started to raise eyebrows in regards to what was happening in Oklahoma City.

It couldn’t be. A 24-year-old leading the second youngest team in NBA history to the Play-In Tournament? And becoming a top-five scorer in the league? Yet, that’s what Gilgeous-Alexander did amidst routinely playing with rookies, journeymen, and even players on two-way contracts trying to solidify their futures in the NBA.

Offensively

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Gilgeous-Alexander unequivocally deserves an “A+” rating after proving that there just isn’t much he can’t do at a high level on the offensive side of the ball. Whatever his team needed, no matter the time or situation, it seemed he almost always had the energy and the answer.

It didn’t matter who was guarding him, what defense was thrown at him, the 6-foot-6 playmaker seemed to always found a way to get into the lane where he threatened the opposition with an arsenal few players possess.

Played him too close? Scoop layup. Too small? He’ll post you ‘em up only to bury a jumper. Tried to double him? He’s splitting it, or kicking it out to an open teammate.

And although the drive-heavy guard elected to shoot only 2.5 shots from behind the arc, per game, he was more than capable of making them when called upon to do so whether it was pulling up with a defender’s hand in his face or spotting up above the break.

Defensively

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Offensive centerpieces are not usually known for their defense as their responsibilities on that end of the floor tend to be mentally and physically draining. 

That wasn’t the case for Gilgeous-Alexander who displayed a newfound effort from the onset of the season, leveraging his nearly seven-foot wingspan to consistently bother opposing guards, play passing lanes, and provide excellent help defense despite shouldering a usage rate north of 32%.

And he didn’t just hold his own or do just enough to “get by.” He excelled on the defensive end. 

In impressive fashion, Gilgeous-Alexander actually ended the regular season tied for the sixth-most steals this season while producing the second-most blocks from the guard position. For that reason, he deserves an “A+” here, too.

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