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Two things can be true: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most talented basketball players of his generation.
He can score from every part of the court, is underrated as a facilitator, and is the engine of a team that could be creating the next great NBA dynasty in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He is also one of the most annoying players to watch in basketball history.
The back-to-back MVP had a monumental game on Sunday night in primetime against the San Antonio Spurs, looking to put a stranglehold on the Western Conference finals and go up 3-1 in the series heading back home to Oklahoma.
But as he has for most of the playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander was…fine. He wasn’t an albatross or a heavy detriment to his team, but if you woke up from a coma after a decade and asked to pick who the back-to-back MVP was on the court, he might be your sixth or seventh answer.
What could have been a night of triumph for SGA and the Thunder turned into a one-sided blowout at the hands of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, turning the Western climax into a best-of-three.
More news: Victor Wembanyama Is the Best Basketball Player in the World — Sorry SGA
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 24: Stephon Castle #5 and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 24, 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
More news: Call LeBron James, Cavaliers — It’s Time to Blow It Up
And what will we be talking about on Monday as we head into those final three games? SGA’s greatness? No, once again, we will be talking about his flopping and obvious attempts to bait for fouls, as the reigning MVP was caught once again by the television cameras acting like he got shot by a bazooka when no Spurs player touched him on his shot attempt.
While you can argue that he was within his rights not to try to collide with De’Aaron Fox’s planted feet, Gilgeous-Alexander has lost any sort of benefit of the doubt.
It’s just how he and the Thunder play the game as a whole. Coaches have spoken out against it. Fans have rallied against it. But they win, and as they walk that tightrope of being extra physical on defense while running headfirst into contact on offense, it’s hard to fault them when it works.
The Thunder might be the best team of their generation and on the verge of building the best string of seasons since Kevin Durant was in the Bay Area.
Yet, it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy watching it.
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He can score from every part of the court, is underrated as a facilitator, and is the engine of a team that could be creating the next great NBA dynasty in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He is also one of the most annoying players to watch in basketball history.
The back-to-back MVP had a monumental game on Sunday night in primetime against the San Antonio Spurs, looking to put a stranglehold on the Western Conference finals and go up 3-1 in the series heading back home to Oklahoma.
But as he has for most of the playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander was…fine. He wasn’t an albatross or a heavy detriment to his team, but if you woke up from a coma after a decade and asked to pick who the back-to-back MVP was on the court, he might be your sixth or seventh answer.
What could have been a night of triumph for SGA and the Thunder turned into a one-sided blowout at the hands of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, turning the Western climax into a best-of-three.
More news: Victor Wembanyama Is the Best Basketball Player in the World — Sorry SGA
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 24: Stephon Castle #5 and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 24, 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
More news: Call LeBron James, Cavaliers — It’s Time to Blow It Up
And what will we be talking about on Monday as we head into those final three games? SGA’s greatness? No, once again, we will be talking about his flopping and obvious attempts to bait for fouls, as the reigning MVP was caught once again by the television cameras acting like he got shot by a bazooka when no Spurs player touched him on his shot attempt.
While you can argue that he was within his rights not to try to collide with De’Aaron Fox’s planted feet, Gilgeous-Alexander has lost any sort of benefit of the doubt.
It’s just how he and the Thunder play the game as a whole. Coaches have spoken out against it. Fans have rallied against it. But they win, and as they walk that tightrope of being extra physical on defense while running headfirst into contact on offense, it’s hard to fault them when it works.
The Thunder might be the best team of their generation and on the verge of building the best string of seasons since Kevin Durant was in the Bay Area.
Yet, it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy watching it.
Related Articles
- "He Got Robbed": Mike Brown Blasts Voters Over OG Anunoby All-Defense Snub
- Kenny Atkinson Draws Strong Criticism for Cavs Pregame Speech Before Loss
- Bucks Linked to Real-Deal Point Guard in NBA Draft
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