NEW YORK – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fame has transcended tendencies.
It rejuvenated a metropolis that has solely ever been spoiled by basketball royalty, one of many NBA’s impossible banks of wealth. This elevated him above his larger-market and better-marketed friends in All-Star voting, with followers drawn solely to his trench coats and slick deal with.
And on Wednesday evening, it served as a nudge from the highest rope, a blow to the dying agenda of Adam Silver’s NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander, in all his small-market glory, threatened Silver’s vow to take advantage of the ultimate days of stars like LeBron James, Steph Curry And Kevin Durantan attachment to the league’s most up-to-date period and hottest markets.
Bump the hidden digicam. SGA and Thunder – together with the Cavaliers and everybody else who lurks on the expense of evolving basketball – dominate prime time.
If Gilgeous-Alexander means what he says, the NBA may have no alternative however to reinsert itself in cities like Cleveland and Oklahoma Metropolis — this time with out the reminiscence of James or Durant to cling to.
“I really like Oklahoma Metropolis,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated, when requested if the celebs cared concerning the markets after his 31-point efficiency within the Thunder lose 129-122 in Cleveland. “I can’t think about a world the place I wouldn’t be in Oklahoma Metropolis. Market, no market. I do not care. I like the place I’m. I am comfy the place I’m. I really like the folks within the group, the folks round me, and people are the issues that matter. I’m going to work day-after-day with a smile on my face.
“Cash would not matter, to a sure extent. So long as I get pleasure from what I do at a really excessive stage and I really like the folks round me, the market would not matter to me.”
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Even earlier than SGA’s ode to OKC, Wednesday evening’s recreation was a transparent assertion of the NBA’s present standing. A matchup between the league’s two greatest regular-season groups, projected as a 12-round struggle, was much more than anticipated: 30 lead modifications, younger stars with boisterous performances and a kambuya celebrating small-market delight.
“Was that a fantastic basketball recreation or one thing?” » stated Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. “…Whoever gained misplaced, it’s only a good recreation for the league, for the followers. Actually thrilling. Best for gaming.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s monologue — a verbal reassurance for Oklahoma Metropolis followers who typically have to pinch themselves lately — was the ultimate kiss for a nationwide tv digicam crew that wasn’t even scheduled much less a month earlier.
A becoming signoff for what has change into a 48-minute time capsule. The ingenuity of the offense, the chessboard disguised as protection. Frozen in time, the Thunder and Cavsa collision of dominance within the common season, acted because the the head of normal season hoops.
If Silver flocked to Gilgeous-Alexander and his youthful friends within the years to come back, whatever the market, they’d discover out why on Wednesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander was then requested about his ideas on the concept stars can emerge wherever within the web age.
“The Web makes it simpler for folks to be seen,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “I can solely communicate for myself, and I play this recreation to win championships, and this journey is all that issues to me. The protection I obtain, I can’t management. The rating I get I am unable to management. I can simply be the most effective model of myself for my group to win a championship and have enjoyable doing it day-after-day. And that is what actually issues to me.
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His priorities have been clear: maintain on to his family members and pursue rings, in his personal means. The grass is not all the time greener. Seven years later, Gilgeous-Alexander appears to have a smooth spot for the Prairies.
Someplace within the early days of the Thunder’s title contending window, Gilgeous-Alexander figures to be positioned with all the pieces he values in Oklahoma Metropolis.
That a lot turned clear to the world (and to Silver) on Wednesday.
It will power the arms to be increased than these of SGA. He isn’t the primary, nor the final, celebrity to appear unconcerned about faking his picture, or a minimum of cultivating one which makes NBA style designers salivate. He’s not as talkative or explosive as Anthony Edwardsnot as outspoken as Durant, not as alien as Victor Wembanyamanot as keen on hindsight and good-natured profanity as Luka Doncic.
However Gilgeous-Alexander is a star amongst stars, worthy of being adopted from Oklahoma Metropolis to Tokyo to Pluto.
Solely a type of places remains to be house to the SGA and, by affiliation, the way forward for the NBA.
Gilgeous-Alexander will not lead the league to the water. Nevertheless it is not going to stop them from following the constellation that Oklahoma Metropolis has change into.
“In fact,” Gilgeous-Alexander smiles, asking if close by cameras ought to enhance after Wednesday. “Why not? It gained’t harm.
Joel Lorenzi covers the Thunder and the NBA for The Oklahoman. Do you might have a narrative thought for Joel? He might be contacted at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @jxlorenzi. Assist Joel’s work and that of different Oklahoma journalists by buying a digital subscription at the moment at Subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This text was initially revealed on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he desires to stick with Thunder, loves OKC
