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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won back-to-back league MVPs and is the best player on the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
On paper, his legacy should already be secured with him actively climbing up the ranks every time he wins another playoff game.
He should be looking at Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and other lead guards, with fans discussing that if he can establish a Thunder dynasty, he could one day end up as a top 10 player all-time in the sport.
Instead, every sports talk show across the world talks about how annoying it is to watch him play, Chinese kids are making TikToks about him flopping, and he’s a Game 7 loss away from possibly tarnishing his legacy forever.
More news: What Victor Wembanyama Did After Losing Game 5 Was a Bad Look
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 28: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on as De’aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs defends during the first quarter in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
More news: Victor Wembanyama Is the Best Basketball Player in the World — Sorry SGA
In a game that could have sent the Thunder to another NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander, as he has been for most of the playoffs, was a wallflower. While the San Antonio Spurs have needed their ace player Victor Wembanyama on the court at almost all times, the Thunder have actually been better without the two-time MVP.
During the seven-game series, after Game 6, the Thunder are +11 points without Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. With him on it, the league’s most valuable player, the Thunder are -28 against the Spurs.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, whose technical brilliance can be overshadowed by his on-court theatrics to get to the free-throw line, he can’t afford to lose a series like this.
What makes the Thunder and their superstar guard what they are is that, through all the annoyances and sometimes unattractive basketball, they win in the end.
The end justifies the means.
A loss in Game 7, however, at home against a player the basketball world at large believes is a better player than you?
Then, regardless of what hardware Gilgeous-Alexander has in his trophy case, he’s never going to hear the end of it.
It can take a decade to build a legacy, and for some, a single playoff series to blow it all up.
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On paper, his legacy should already be secured with him actively climbing up the ranks every time he wins another playoff game.
He should be looking at Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and other lead guards, with fans discussing that if he can establish a Thunder dynasty, he could one day end up as a top 10 player all-time in the sport.
Instead, every sports talk show across the world talks about how annoying it is to watch him play, Chinese kids are making TikToks about him flopping, and he’s a Game 7 loss away from possibly tarnishing his legacy forever.
More news: What Victor Wembanyama Did After Losing Game 5 Was a Bad Look
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 28: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on as De’aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs defends during the first quarter in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
More news: Victor Wembanyama Is the Best Basketball Player in the World — Sorry SGA
In a game that could have sent the Thunder to another NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander, as he has been for most of the playoffs, was a wallflower. While the San Antonio Spurs have needed their ace player Victor Wembanyama on the court at almost all times, the Thunder have actually been better without the two-time MVP.
During the seven-game series, after Game 6, the Thunder are +11 points without Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. With him on it, the league’s most valuable player, the Thunder are -28 against the Spurs.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, whose technical brilliance can be overshadowed by his on-court theatrics to get to the free-throw line, he can’t afford to lose a series like this.
What makes the Thunder and their superstar guard what they are is that, through all the annoyances and sometimes unattractive basketball, they win in the end.
The end justifies the means.
A loss in Game 7, however, at home against a player the basketball world at large believes is a better player than you?
Then, regardless of what hardware Gilgeous-Alexander has in his trophy case, he’s never going to hear the end of it.
It can take a decade to build a legacy, and for some, a single playoff series to blow it all up.
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