No Chet Holmgren, No Isaiah Hartenstein. No pen, no pencil, yet still, he is drawing all the attention.
The NBA has always been a league of superstars, but in recent years, the conversation surrounding who will carry the torch once LeBron James and Stephen Curry step aside has only intensified. Both of these legends have redefined basketball in their own right—LeBron with his transcendent physicality, vision, and leadership, and Curry with his unparalleled shooting ability, which has revolutionized the game. But as the years go by, the inevitable question looms: Who will step into their shoes and lead the NBA into the future?
A few names have been floated around in the past—Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, to name a few. Yet, one name is beginning to rise above the rest in terms of not only performance but the sheer potential to captivate the league’s imagination: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or simply, SGA.
Kendrick Perkins, former NBA player turned analyst, put it succinctly when he said, “When we talk about the MVP conversation, yes, he’s my front-runner, let’s take it a step further. We’ve been wondering who LeBron James and Stephen Curry are going to pass the torch to as the next face of the NBA; I think SGA wants to wear it right now.”
But what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander such an intriguing candidate for not just MVP, but as the potential successor to the likes of LeBron and Curry? In a league dominated by established stars, SGA’s rise is nothing short of captivating. Let’s break it down and explore how SGA has been quietly but undeniably drawing the attention of the basketball world.
The Rise of SGA
Born in Canada, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s path to the NBA was unconventional in the sense that he wasn’t a universally hyped recruit. However, his skillset quickly separated him from his peers. After an impressive single season at the University of Kentucky, where he played under the tutelage of John Calipari, SGA was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA Draft, only to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that involved acquiring the now-famous, future Hall of Famer, Tobias Harris.
His time in Los Angeles was valuable but brief. He played behind the likes of Chris Paul and Patrick Beverley, two experienced and vocal leaders in the Clippers’ backcourt, which helped shape his defensive game and maturity as a player. However, it wasn’t until he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 that the world began to notice him as more than just a role player.
Under the leadership of Coach Billy Donovan, and later Mark Daigneault, SGA became the focal point of the Thunder’s rebuild. His ability to score efficiently, coupled with his smooth and deceptive playing style, gave him an edge over many of his peers. But what really stands out about Shai is his versatility—he’s a point guard, shooting guard, and even a small forward in some situations, with the tools to thrive in any of those positions.
During the 2022-2023 NBA season, SGA emerged as one of the most efficient and dynamic scorers in the league, all while keeping the Thunder competitive in the brutal Western Conference. Averaging over 31 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, SGA’s offensive game was as polished as it was potent. But what was even more impressive was how he elevated the play of his teammates, particularly the young stars around him like Josh Giddey and the future centerpiece Chet Holmgren, who would be making his debut in 2023-2024 after missing the prior season with injury.
Though the Thunder’s playoff aspirations were thwarted, SGA’s impact on the court was undeniable, earning him a spot as an All-NBA First Team member and an MVP finalist. That performance has catapulted him into the MVP conversation in a way few anticipated just a couple of years ago.
A Quiet Assassin on the Court
What makes SGA different from the other MVP candidates in recent years, particularly the likes of Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, is his unique ability to operate both within the flow of the game and outside of the spotlight. He doesn’t play with the brashness or the flair that you often see from some of his contemporaries. Instead, he has the kind of understated elegance that makes him difficult to contain but equally difficult to notice at times.
His length (6’6”) and agility make him a nightmare for defenders, and his ability to attack the basket is on par with some of the best slashers in the game today. But it’s his subtlety, his patience, and his poise that set him apart. SGA doesn’t force the issue. He operates with a quiet confidence, able to pick apart defenses with his elite footwork, smooth ball handling, and an uncanny knack for drawing fouls. He’s almost surgical in the way he slices through defenses, whether it’s in transition or the half-court set. His mid-range game, especially in isolation, is already among the best in the NBA, and his deep shooting has also become more reliable, pushing defenders out beyond the arc and opening up lanes for both himself and his teammates.
Where Shai truly shines, though, is in his finishing ability. He’s become renowned for his ability to finish at the rim, even against the most intimidating of shot-blockers. His off-hand is superb, allowing him to finish with both hands in traffic, and his high IQ allows him to change speed and direction in the air, making him nearly impossible to predict.
On the defensive side of the ball, SGA doesn’t receive the same recognition as some of the elite perimeter defenders in the league, but he is a standout. His size and quickness make him a terror on the ball, and his ability to disrupt passing lanes and pressure opposing ball handlers is a critical component of the Thunder’s defensive scheme. As the Thunder continue to grow and build around SGA, his defensive presence will only improve.
The MVP Case for SGA
While MVP discussions often get dominated by flashy, high-scoring players—players like Giannis, Luka, or Curry—Shai’s case for MVP is built on the foundation of efficiency and impact rather than sheer volume. Yes, he puts up big numbers, but he does so in a way that doesn’t sacrifice team play or the Thunder’s overall success. He’s currently one of the most efficient players in the league, and he’s doing so while playing on a team that isn’t yet considered a championship contender.
Take, for instance, his efficiency numbers. SGA has posted a remarkable true shooting percentage that rivals the league’s top players, and his advanced stats in terms of player efficiency rating (PER) and box plus-minus (BPM) put him in the same conversation as some of the game’s best. But the most impressive aspect of his game is his ability to carry a team that’s still in the process of rebuilding. The Thunder have gone from being one of the worst teams in the league just a couple of seasons ago to being a legitimate playoff contender in the Western Conference.
At just 25 years old, Shai has proven that he can be the leader of a competitive team, and as the Thunder continue to develop, it’s clear that they’re a team on the rise. With the addition of Chet Holmgren and the continued development of players like Giddey, the Thunder are building something special, and SGA is right at the center of it.
If he continues on this trajectory, it’s not out of the question to think that SGA could become the face of the league. As Kendrick Perkins said, “He wants to wear the torch right now.” And it’s hard to argue with him. SGA has the skills, the mentality, and the leadership to not only be an MVP contender year in and year out but to be the player the league turns to as the next true face of the NBA.
The Passing of the Torch
When you think of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, you think of players who transcended the game—LeBron with his versatility, his ability to control every aspect of the game, and his longevity, and Curry with his unmatched shooting range and revolutionary impact on the game. But the torch must be passed, and it’s no secret that both LeBron and Curry are inching closer to the end of their careers. The question is, who will step into their shoes?
It’s easy to look at players like Luka Dončić or Giannis Antetokounmpo and think they are the natural heirs to LeBron and Curry’s legacies. But what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander different is his ability to blend elements of both players into his own game. Like LeBron, SGA has the ability to control the flow of a game, get to the basket, and involve his teammates. Like Curry, he has the ability to stretch defenses and create offense from anywhere on the floor. But what makes SGA unique is his ability to do all of this quietly, with an air of confidence that belies his youth.
The NBA is always looking for the next big star, the next face of the league. For a long time, the league has relied on the likes of LeBron, Curry, and Durant to carry the mantle. But as these stars age and eventually step aside, the question will be answered. Who will wear the crown?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to take it. Whether it’s this season or in the coming years, SGA is showing the world that he is not just a rising star—he’s a star who’s already here, ready to lead the next era
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