Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cemented himself as a successful participant and the category of the NBA this season, and one among his teammates thinks he has already surpassed two elite guards.
Final offseason, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder signed journeyman middle Isaiah Hartenstein away from the New York Knicks, hoping that he and Alex Caruso may very well be the lacking items.
After successful their first title in franchise historical past, it was clear that these strikes paid off. Whereas each additions performed key roles within the Thunder’s success, the workforce firmly belongs to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Hartenstein has performed with legends like James Harden on the Houston Rockets, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, and Jalen Brunson, though he thinks SGA is the very best guard he has ever shared the courtroom with.
All through his profession, Harden has been criticized for empty stats, an absence of effort on protection, and shortcomings within the playoffs. Whereas Brunson hasn’t been underneath the highlight for so long as Harden, he and the Knicks have fallen early within the playoffs within the final three seasons.
SGA, after successful Finals MVP, has already confirmed himself to be a dependable chief within the playoffs, and Hartenstein credit his team-first mentality.
“He has no ego,” defined the middle. “There’s no, ‘I’m simply going to attain. I’m making an attempt to make it on my own.’ It’s by no means that. I imply, there was even instances in the beginning of the season the place he threw me a cross and I threw it to the following man to get a shot. And I’m like, ‘Sorry, I’ll end it subsequent time you get your help.’ And he’s like, ‘I don’t care.’”
Whereas SGA did lead the league in scoring final season, it didn’t appear manufactured like Harden’s three scoring and lone help titles did.
Together with Gilgeous-Alexander and Brunson, the 2018 Draft Class already has 5 All-Stars, and gamers like Mikal Bridges and even Deandre Ayton are usually not far behind.
Nevertheless, SGA was the primary to win a hoop as a key contributor, not to mention the workforce chief.
The largest detraction towards Harden is his lack of workforce success. He has solely made the NBA Finals as soon as, in 2013, and he was removed from the very best participant on that Thunder workforce.
Whereas Brunson has lots of time left, he’s not secure from being referred to as an excellent regular-season participant who merely can’t take the leap. Hartenstein has already recognized SGA as a participant who can put the workforce first, which is uncommon.
| Participant | GP | PPG | APG | SPG | FG% | Playoff Document |
| James Harden | 146 | 35.3 | 7.5 | 1.9 | 44.3% | 11-12 |
| Jalen Brunson | 145 | 26.5 | 6.5 | 0.9 | 48.4% | 13-11 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 76 | 32.7 | 6.4 | 1.7 | 51.9% | 16-7 |
“Even when he’s placing up these enormous numbers, he’s not looking out them,” Hartenstein continued. “He’s making an attempt to make the workforce as finest as doable. I imply, him taking part in on either side of the courtroom, I believe that’s one thing that’s actually underrated. He performs protection. Like, you possibly can’t simply go decide on him. And he tries on protection.”
Whereas Harden is likely one of the finest scorers ever, SGA manages so as to add one other dimension to his recreation, resulting in workforce success. Brunson, very similar to Harden, is likely one of the finest guards within the league, though he’s but to take a real subsequent step.
