Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just isn’t pulling his weight, or possibly it’s the lengthy season, though maybe motivation has but to achieve its pinnacle.
Gilgeous-Alexander himself is suggesting it. He’s searching for extra from himself because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder progress by means of the playoffs.
Take into account it a warning for the remainder of the NBA because the Thunder — the Western Convention’s greatest staff all season — sit 12 victories away from the 405 lining up for a championship parade.
Getting ready to the primary MVP of his profession, Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t assume he has contributed sufficient. And that’s after a collection sweep within the first spherical.
After taking pictures 35.3 % from the ground by means of three video games of the Thunder’s first-round collection in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, and 25.0 % from 3-point vary, Gilgeous-Alexander had a choice to make: preserve taking pictures or dive into ball distribution.
“Previously, I positively would’ve shied away from the second due to the place my taking pictures was headed,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned after a spot within the Western Convention semifinals was secured. “I believe I’ve taken a step mentally, however I believe I’ve finished so all season and it paid off within the second, within the evening the place we wanted it.
“That’s what it’s all about, simply getting it finished. As a result of I stayed true to who I’ve turn out to be and who I developed into, we acquired a W tonight.”
If there was a time the place the NBA scoring champion, at 32.7 factors per recreation, would have deferred to others, that point is not any extra. In Recreation 4, he unloaded for 38 factors and 54.2 % taking pictures on 24 makes an attempt.
And the stakes are solely getting larger, which suggests Gilgeous-Alexander will likely be that rather more engaged when the convention semifinals arrive.
Up subsequent may very well be a matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers — solely the staff that traded Gilgeous-Alexander away after one season — and the Thunder nonetheless are reaping the rewards of what has turn out to be a massively one-sided deal.
One other risk is a matchup with the Denver Nuggets, the 2023 NBA champions. The groups cut up the 4 regular-season video games this season. The Nuggets scored a minimum of 140 factors seven occasions, the latest in opposition to the Thunder on March 10. The Thunder, little question, bear in mind.
As for now, the Thunder wait to be taught their subsequent opponent. Is it the benefit it appears to be?
“I’m undecided,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “Truthfully, it will possibly work each methods in opposition to us. It may add a little bit rust. It may add a little bit freshness. I believe looking for a stability between these two goes to be necessary in nonetheless lengthy it’s till we get to the following collection. However we at all times say the time between the video games is while you win within the playoffs, and that’s what we’re going to attempt to sort out.”
The Thunder had every week off between the top of the common season and the beginning of the playoffs, whereas their opponent continued to play, they usually had been simply high-quality within the first spherical.
The truth that their star and chief is giving that side of the proceedings loads of consideration is an efficient signal. The concept that he needs to boost his recreation shifting ahead is a fair higher one.
“I don’t know the place this ups-and-downs factor is coming from. I believe he performed a hell of a collection,” the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren mentioned of his teammate. “… It’s an imperfect recreation. Shai isn’t going to go 25-for-25. I hope he does. He was making the proper performs all collection, the proper reads, trusting gamers.”
Make no mistake: The Thunder are feeling good about the place they stand proper now and sound utterly snug with what is required for the street forward.
Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Thunder into the convention semifinals for the second time previously three seasons. They give the impression of being able to exceed that stage now.
“Simply attempt to be a greater staff than we had been in (the first-round) collection come subsequent collection,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
The warnings for the remainder of the league couldn’t be clearer.
“The fellows must convey nice focus and intentionality. We now have to place an amazing plan on the market,” head coach Mark Daigneault mentioned about staying locked in between collection. “Hopefully all of us do this.”
