“Super Killer”: Kevin Garnett’s Preseason Proclamation About ‘Underrated’ OKC Superstar Takes Shape

The Oklahoma City Thunder have started the season on a good note. The OKC is currently sitting at #2 in the Western Conference charts. While the team is functioning well as a unit, one player in particular has been outscoring everyone else, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

NBA veteran Kevin Garnett has had his hopes with the youngster since the beginning of the season. During his conversation with Chet Holmgren, KG talked about the potential that Shai has and pretty much predicted the OKC dominance this season.

Kevin Garnett saw it coming

During his conversation with Holmgren, KG asked the youngster about his progression and whether he sees his confidence building up as he spends more time in the league. He said, “The main focus is to help us win games…We’ve got a young team and we need to put a lot of work in to do that.” The 21-year-old received validation from the NBA veteran during their conversation when KG said that he loves the squad they’ve built. Holmgren said that while everything is going well for him and the team, he is still looking for opportunities to improve his game.

More importantly, for Holmgren, it is about figuring out his role in the team and playing to the requirements so that he can contribute to the team’s success. Then KG brought up Shai’s name in the conversation, stating that he is one of his favorite players to watch. He said that Shai is a “super killer” who “doesn’t get enough recognition”. The 15x NBA All-Star asked  Holmgren whether he is excited to play with Shai next year. He said, “Man, it’s going to make my job easier. Playing with somebody that’s got that talent and that ability…His gravity on the court is huge”.

He said that Shai requires so much of the opposition’s attention on him that it’ll free up space for his teammates, including Holmgren, and they’ll be able to take advantage of it. The interview was done last summer when KG caught up with Holmgren. Now, Shai and Holmgren are ruling the West in their own ways.

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Holmgren is leading the KIA Rookie Ladder with 17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.7 apg and is towering over the likes of Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller. Shai on the other hand is averaging 31.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.4 apg and is disrupting the KIA MVP Ladder, currently sitting at the #3 position. He is only behind Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic in the rankings. With major wins over the top 3 teams in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves, they’ve established themselves as firm contenders for the championship. Did KG just predict the next NBA champion?

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