“Sweat and Bleed Just Like Us”: Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Unfazed by LeBron James and Team USA’s Paris Olympics Threat

The last FIBA World Cup did not go according to the script for Team USA. Following a heartbreaking 113-111 loss to Germany in the semifinals, Canada twisted the knife further after handing the USA a 127-118 loss in overtime, denying them a podium finish. Despite the embarrassing exit, Team USA still managed to secure a berth in the upcoming Olympics. Now, the American men are aiming for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

In this pursuit, Team USA is reportedly assembling a star-studded roster, headlined by the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and others. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who represented the Canadian team during the last World Cup, remains unfazed by Team USA’s efforts to create another Dream Team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not worried about Team USA

In an interview ith Zion Olojede of the Complex, SGA said, “No, I don’t worry at all. At the end of the day, they’re basketball players. Now, they may be some of the best in the world but our team has some of the best in the world as well and we don’t fear any of them. We play them all year. They’re the same basketball players. They sweat and bleed just like us and the ball’s gonna tip and at the end of the night and you’re gonna find out who’s a better team.”

Despite producing exceptional NBA players for decades, Canada has yet to find any tangible success on the international stage. However, a third-place finish at the 2023 FIBA WC was definitely a step in the right direction. On the back of the monster performances by the OKC Thunder guard, Canada not only earned its first-ever FIBA World Cup medal in September but also its first Olympic berth since 2000.

In eight games at the World Cup, the Hamilton native averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Following a productive run, the 25-year-old is now poised to carry this momentum forward. But before chasing international glory again, his focus is on clinching an NBA championship.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes OKC Thunder is “capable” of winning a title this season

After an unlikely play-in appearance last season, fans anticipated some improvement this season. But no one would have guessed this meteoric rise. The OKC Thunder now sits atop the Western Conference, emerging as strong contenders for the ultimate prize. Their defensive prowess is evident, ranking fifth in defensive rating, second in steals per game, and first in blocks. On top of that, they also force opponents to shoot at the third-worst field goal percentage and force the most turnovers in the league.

Moreover, SGA has been exceptional this season, proving to be a formidable two-way threat. Not only is he averaging 30.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, but he also leads the league in steals. His contributions are a major reason why the Thunder are third in the league in offensive rating. However, the only knock on the team is that they do not have enough playoff experience and are one of the youngest teams in the league. But they’ve already exceeded so many expectations this season, so what’s one more obstacle to overcome? In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, when asked about OKC’s title odds this season, Gilgeous-Alexander replied, “We’re capable of anything.” What do you think about OKC’s chances this season? Let us know in the comments!

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