With Chris Paul expected to start the season with the Thunder, Oklahoma City will be able to bear witness to something unique. On one end of the spectrum, Paul is part of the reason why Oklahoma City has a team, having played in the city when the then-New Orleans Hornets were forced to temporarily relocate in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. On the other end, the Thunder have newly acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has the potential to be a big part of the franchise’s future.
Two point guards at very different stages in their careers. While it’ll be a different experience for the fanbase, it’s also one Gilgeous-Alexander hopes to take advantage of.
The second-year point guard told reporters at a Rolling Thunder Book Bus event on Thursday he has already taken some pointers from the future hall-of-famer, per Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman.
I [have] learned a lot from him, in terms of thinking the game, angles and things like that. He’s obviously a really good player. He’s been a really good player for a really long time and a guy that I looked up to growing up. So I’ll continue to learn from him as long as I get to.
Gilgeous-Alexander also added he’s learned a lot from watching his new teammate, having followed Paul’s career when he was growing up. And there’s one thing, in particular, Gilgeous-Alexander wants to take from Paul’s game.
His ability to get shots off at his size, it’s what’s differentiates him. Me obviously having more size than him will only help.
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