It took Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up historically efficient scoring numbers, but the national pundits are finally talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder in a positive light.
In Friday’s episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN trio Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps spoke extensively about Gilgeous-Alexander’s season.
In 14 games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.3 points on 54.6 percent shooting, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds. All three also gushed about the Thunder’s future and the flexibility they have with their future due to draft capital.
The full podcast episode can be watched here:
Let’s take a look at some of the best quotes and paraphrases from the podcast related to Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.
Latest episode of The Hoop Collective talks extensively about SGA
Going to 🧵 the best quotes/paraphrases from it here ⬇️https://t.co/tY83pcAu5T
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim MacMahon: “He’s playing at a superstar level. You have to include him at least in the fringe of the MVP conversation… Absolute All-NBA. Certainly you’ve got to consider him for Most Improved.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim MacMahon: "SGA is the kind of player teams tank to get."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Brian Windhorst on SGA's playing style: "He's become a demon in the midrange and he's hunting for those shots… His change in his shot diet has directly correlated to his improved efficiency and improved scoring."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim Bontemps said coming into the season, he thought SGA was the most underrated player in the league: "He was playing on a team nobody was paying attention to because they were trying to be terrible."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim Bontemps said Steph Curry and Luka Doncic are the only two PGs in the league he'd take over SGA:
"You could make an argument going forward you'd rather have Shai than Ja."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim Bontemps said it's going to be hard for the Thunder to tank with SGA playing at this level: "This guy is too good for them to win 25 games or even 30 games."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim MacMahon said it doesn't make sense for the Thunder to consider trading SGA due to his contract:
"Why the hell would Oklahoma City even remotely consider that?… When you have a talent like that, it's probably time to fast-track it starting this offseason."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim MacMahon officially declares SGA is easily the best player from the Paul George to Clippers trade:
"If you're asking who you would rather have long term, it's a no-brainer."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim Bontemps: "I'd rather have Shai than Kawhi going forward."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Tim Bontemps said during the 2018 draft process, SGA's stock rose from the 40s to a lottery pick due to the NCAA Tournament
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
End 🧵
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
Little bonus: Tim MacMahon said he gets the feeling the Clippers are in the dark about Kawhi's health
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 18, 2022
