“You’re Playing Real Basketball Games With Real Refs”: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Credits FIBA World Cup Success for MVP-Level Season

The emerging star of the Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been giving incredible performances recently. Not only that, but the 25-year-old star has even emerged as a leading candidate for the prestigious MVP award. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s revival, along with Gilgeous-Alexander’s statistical excellence, have helped him climb the ladder of the MVP contention.

As the Thunder rise to the top of the rankings, Gilgeous-Alexander’s on-court coordination and leadership demonstrate his evident effect. However, the 2x All-Star gives credit to his FIBA World Cup success where he earned a bronze medal for Canada. He said, “I’m a big advocate of playing FIBA basketball. The style of play, the pace they play at, the physicality. At the end of the day you’re playing real basketball with real refs, real game management, real coaches in the summertime when most guys aren’t, and it gives you more reps and gets you more ready for the NBA season.”

Gilgeous-Alexander was also asked about how he feels about being a part of the MVP contentious discussion, to which the 25-year-old gave a very mature answer. He explained how he was focusing on the bigger picture of leading the OKC to the championship. And even though winning such a prestigious award would be a big thing for him, he is channeling all his energy into his game and not focusing on anything else.

Shai’s numbers at FIBA were phenomenal and his work ethic played a huge role in it. His impressive averages of 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game highlight his crucial role in Canada’s FIBA World Cup success. Not only that, throughout the tournament he demonstrated remarkable efficiency with a 63.9 percent success rate on 2-point attempts and an 88.9 percent accuracy from the free-throw line. Alexander kept that momentum going in the regular season as well and revived his franchise by setting new records and being one of the front runners for the MVP title.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses the legendary Reggie Miller

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has shown remarkable consistency this season. Even though he has not had big scoring games or a single-game record, he has been consistently putting up 30 points nearly in every game. His 31-point effort against the Hornets brought him to 115 games where SGA has managed to achieve 30 points. By setting this milestone, he has surpassed the legendary Reggie Miller, who was regarded as one of the best scorers and shooters in NBA history.

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Currently, Gilgeous-Alexander is second in the MVP race, averaging 31.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. With a combination of attacking brilliance, defensive skill, and leadership, he has been a delight to watch for the fans and cemented his name among the NBA’s best.

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