Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Writing His Own NBA Legacy in Real Time
Let me just take a moment to talk about what we’re witnessing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander right now — because honestly, this is one of those rare stretches in basketball where you can just feel history being made. At only 26 years old, Shai isn’t just playing at an elite level — he’s absolutely dominating on the biggest stage of the sport. And what’s wild? He’s doing it with the calm and poise of someone who’s been here a hundred times.
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We’re talking about a guy who has the Oklahoma City Thunder knocking on the door of their first championship since relocating from Seattle. Through two games of the NBA Finals, he’s dropped a combined 72 points — the most ever by a player in their first two Finals games. That’s not just good, that’s historic . He’s averaging over 30 points per game in the postseason, and he’s doing it without trying to be flashy or overcomplicate things. As he put it after Game 2, “I’m being myself.”
That right there? That’s what sets him apart. He’s not forcing anything. He’s attacking the game the right way — letting his natural rhythm and confidence lead him. And it’s not just offense. Shai’s locked in on defense too, with seven steals in the Finals already. That makes him one of only four players ever to record back-to-back games in the Finals with 30+ points and 3+ steals — right there alongside Rick Barry, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James.
Let that sink in. Shai is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats — and this isn’t just a hot streak. He’s the 12th player ever to score more than 3,000 points in a combined regular season and postseason. That puts him in the same category as legends like Jordan, Kobe, and Wilt. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle even joked that you might as well write down 34 points for Shai before the plane even lands.
And what's even crazier? The Thunder are the youngest team in the league. Shai’s out here leading a core of rising stars like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and somehow, they’re ahead of schedule. They weren’t supposed to be here this fast. But they are — and Shai’s the reason why. He’s the engine. The heartbeat. The calm in the chaos.
Look, it’s rare in today’s NBA for a point guard to be the absolute centerpiece of a championship team. It’s usually the wings and big men who get that shine. Since Magic Johnson, maybe only Steph Curry has held that role in a Finals run. But now? We’re watching another one. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishes the job and brings a title to OKC, we’re not just talking about a breakout year. We’re talking about one of the greatest individual seasons the league has ever seen.
And the scariest part? He’s just getting started.
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