Shai Gilgeous Alexander Already Is An ALL TIME Great
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) tied Wilt Chamberlain's record with 126 straight 20-point games, a feat praised for its consistency.
- ❖SGA's recent 35-point, 15-assist, 0-turnover performance against Nikola Jokic was a pivotal moment for his MVP candidacy.
- ❖Hosts debated whether SGA's dominant game cemented his MVP, with some emphasizing the head-to-head win record against Denver (3-0).
- ❖SGA's 55% field goal shooting as a guard is a standout statistic, typically seen from big men like Giannis or Shaq.
- ❖The historical context of Wilt's streak (49 PPG, 48+ MPG) was contrasted with SGA's (33 PPG, 33 MPG), highlighting different eras and demands.
- ❖The discussion extended to SGA's potential ranking among all-time great guards, with comparisons to Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Isiah Thomas, and Oscar Robertson.
- ❖Some hosts argued that the 20-point streak is less impressive because older players weren't 'privy' to tracking such records, suggesting others could achieve it with focus.
- ❖Voter fatigue and popularity were cited as potential factors influencing MVP voting, especially regarding Nikola Jokic's consistent triple-double averages.
Insights
1SGA's Historic 20-Point Game Streak and Efficiency
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain's record with 126 consecutive games scoring 20 or more points. This consistency is highlighted as a testament to his work ethic and understanding of his team's needs. Notably, SGA achieves this while shooting an exceptional 55% from the field as a guard, a level of efficiency typically associated with dominant big men.
SGA tied Wilt's record with 126 straight 20-point games. He is on pace to be the first player since MJ with four straight 30-point seasons while shooting over 50%. His 55% field goal percentage as a guard is compared to players like Giannis, Shaq, and Jokic.
2MVP Race: SGA vs. Jokic
SGA's recent dominant performance (35 points, 15 assists, 0 turnovers) against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets significantly bolstered his MVP case. The Thunder's 3-0 head-to-head record against Denver is a strong argument. While Jokic consistently averages a triple-double, some hosts suggest 'voter fatigue' or team standing (Nuggets dropped to 6th) might favor SGA, who is leading the number one team in the West.
SGA's stat line of 35 points, 15 assists, 0 turnovers against the Nuggets. Thunder are 3-0 against Denver this season. Jokic is averaging 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists this season. The Nuggets dropped to 6th in the standings.
3Debate on All-Time Guard Status
The hosts debate how close SGA is to being considered an all-time great guard. His trajectory, marked by potential back-to-back MVPs and consistent high-efficiency scoring, places him in conversations with legends like Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Isiah Thomas, and Oscar Robertson. His unique ability to maintain a 30+ PPG average on over 50% shooting for multiple seasons is a key factor in this discussion.
SGA is on pace to be the first player since MJ with four straight 30-point per game seasons, also shooting over 50% during that time. Comparisons are made to Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Isiah Thomas, and Oscar Robertson regarding all-time point guard rankings.
4Contextualizing Wilt's Scoring Streak
The discussion around SGA's 20-point streak leads to a comparison with Wilt Chamberlain's similar record. While Wilt averaged a staggering 49 points per game during his streak, he also played over 48 minutes per game. The hosts question why Wilt's streak ended, suggesting that historical players might not have been as focused on maintaining such records, or that the context of the game was different.
SGA averaged 33 PPG during his streak, playing 33 minutes per game. Wilt averaged 49 PPG during his streak, playing over 48 minutes per game. The hosts question what stopped Wilt's streak at 126 games if he was averaging 49 points.
Quotes
"It just shows the talent, how smart he is as a player and how great he is as a player for sure."
"Congratulations on the record, but it's not as impressive to me simply because I know that there are other guys other than himself that can go chase that just being consistent."
"I have answers to the test, but like I got to see the question first."
"The fact that he shooting 55 from the field, Josiah, as a guard. Um, yeah, that's big man. Like, that's Giannis, that's Shaq, that's Nola, that's Joel. Like, that's what you expect from Bigs, right?"
Q&A
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