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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his scoring prowess, regularly passes on the same question.
The OKC Thunder star is often asked what it feels like to put up historic numbers. He and Michael Jordan are the only guards to ever average over 30 points on at least 50% shooting from the field for three straight seasons. He has also recorded 73 straight 20-point games, which is the fourth-longest streak in league history. He trails Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain, who's on the list twice.
But each time Gilgeous-Alexander is asked about being in the same company as all-time greats, he gives the same response. They've won championships. He hasn't.
"I just think you play the game to win," Gilgeous-Alexander said after a win over Houston on March 3. "To be regarded as one of the better players to ever play, you have to win. If you don't win, then it's all for nothing. That's just how I see it. ... Winning is the be-all and end-all for me."
After months of regular-season dominance, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder now have a chance to win that coveted championship.
The top-seeded Thunder will begin its playoff run with a first-round matchup against the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Game 1 is set for noon CT Sunday at Paycom Center.
MUSSATTO: How OKC Thunder went from rebuilder to NBA playoff contender in dizzying speed
The postseason is the stage where legacies are cemented. And while that could be seen as pressure for some people, Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to attack the opportunity.
"I'm gonna go out there, and with a few seconds on the clock, I'm gonna shoot this fadeaway," Gilgeous-Alexander said Saturday. "I'm gonna try to make it every time, and it's gonna go in or it's not. I'm either gonna miss it because of something or I'm gonna make it because I did something right. That opportunity, I'll learn from. And next time I'm in that position, hopefully I'll take advantage of it. To me, it's literally that simple."
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have already had a few learning lessons in the playoffs.
OKC was the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history for either conference last season. Still, its championship hopes ended when it suffered a 4-2 series loss to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals.
That cut deep. But those wounds became scars for the young Thunder, which only made its skin thicker as it prepares for another playoff run.
"It helps," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Every experience you play, it helps. You go out there, you give it your all, you learn from it and you keep it pushing. ... That's how you get better."
Gilgeous-Alexander has certainly gotten better since then.
The 26-year-old guard leads the league in points per game (32.7). And after finishing second in the MVP race last season, he's the betting favorite to win it this time around.
But regular-season accolades aren't on the mind of Gilgeous-Alexander, who's just focused on winning this postseason.
"I feel like I'm in a good place mentally and physically," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Nothing matters more than this time of year. As good as I've been, as good as I feel, the real test is going to come. I think I put myself in the best position I can be to try to ace this test."
More: Can Ja Morant, Grizzlies upset Thunder in NBA Playoffs? Here are four biggest keys for OKC
Memphis has one of the most electric offenses in the NBA, and Ja Morant powers it.
The hyper-athletic guard is a blur when sprinting up the floor, and he has collected enough posters with his gravity-defying dunks to decorate the walls of FedExForum.
Morant will command attention from both fans and OKC's defense this series. But another player who shouldn't be overlooked is Desmond Bane.
The former 30th overall pick in 2020 continues to improve his game. He's averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 assists this season on 39.2% shooting from deep.
"He's a very, very accurate shooter from distance," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "He can do it off the dribble, and you can find him in transition. ... And the other thing about Bane is I think he's an excellent competitor. I think he's got a great competitive disposition. He plays both ends of the floor. He comes to play every night. He responds well to adversity. We have respect for him from a distance as a competitor."
OKC did a good job of containing Bane during the regular season. He got held to an average of 15 points on 35.7% shooting from the field (29.6% shooting from deep) in four regular-season meetings.
CARLSON: Jalen Williams made big strides for Thunder, but next ones need to come in NBA Playoffs
More: All-NBA team predictions: Will any OKC Thunder players join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
First-round schedule for Thunder vs. Grizzlies:
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready for 'the real test' in NBA Playoffs
Continue reading...
The OKC Thunder star is often asked what it feels like to put up historic numbers. He and Michael Jordan are the only guards to ever average over 30 points on at least 50% shooting from the field for three straight seasons. He has also recorded 73 straight 20-point games, which is the fourth-longest streak in league history. He trails Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain, who's on the list twice.
But each time Gilgeous-Alexander is asked about being in the same company as all-time greats, he gives the same response. They've won championships. He hasn't.
"I just think you play the game to win," Gilgeous-Alexander said after a win over Houston on March 3. "To be regarded as one of the better players to ever play, you have to win. If you don't win, then it's all for nothing. That's just how I see it. ... Winning is the be-all and end-all for me."
After months of regular-season dominance, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder now have a chance to win that coveted championship.
The top-seeded Thunder will begin its playoff run with a first-round matchup against the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Game 1 is set for noon CT Sunday at Paycom Center.
MUSSATTO: How OKC Thunder went from rebuilder to NBA playoff contender in dizzying speed
The postseason is the stage where legacies are cemented. And while that could be seen as pressure for some people, Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to attack the opportunity.
"I'm gonna go out there, and with a few seconds on the clock, I'm gonna shoot this fadeaway," Gilgeous-Alexander said Saturday. "I'm gonna try to make it every time, and it's gonna go in or it's not. I'm either gonna miss it because of something or I'm gonna make it because I did something right. That opportunity, I'll learn from. And next time I'm in that position, hopefully I'll take advantage of it. To me, it's literally that simple."
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have already had a few learning lessons in the playoffs.
OKC was the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history for either conference last season. Still, its championship hopes ended when it suffered a 4-2 series loss to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals.
That cut deep. But those wounds became scars for the young Thunder, which only made its skin thicker as it prepares for another playoff run.
"It helps," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Every experience you play, it helps. You go out there, you give it your all, you learn from it and you keep it pushing. ... That's how you get better."
Gilgeous-Alexander has certainly gotten better since then.
The 26-year-old guard leads the league in points per game (32.7). And after finishing second in the MVP race last season, he's the betting favorite to win it this time around.
But regular-season accolades aren't on the mind of Gilgeous-Alexander, who's just focused on winning this postseason.
"I feel like I'm in a good place mentally and physically," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Nothing matters more than this time of year. As good as I've been, as good as I feel, the real test is going to come. I think I put myself in the best position I can be to try to ace this test."
More: Can Ja Morant, Grizzlies upset Thunder in NBA Playoffs? Here are four biggest keys for OKC
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OKC has 'respect' for Desmond Bane
Memphis has one of the most electric offenses in the NBA, and Ja Morant powers it.
The hyper-athletic guard is a blur when sprinting up the floor, and he has collected enough posters with his gravity-defying dunks to decorate the walls of FedExForum.
Morant will command attention from both fans and OKC's defense this series. But another player who shouldn't be overlooked is Desmond Bane.
The former 30th overall pick in 2020 continues to improve his game. He's averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 assists this season on 39.2% shooting from deep.
"He's a very, very accurate shooter from distance," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "He can do it off the dribble, and you can find him in transition. ... And the other thing about Bane is I think he's an excellent competitor. I think he's got a great competitive disposition. He plays both ends of the floor. He comes to play every night. He responds well to adversity. We have respect for him from a distance as a competitor."
OKC did a good job of containing Bane during the regular season. He got held to an average of 15 points on 35.7% shooting from the field (29.6% shooting from deep) in four regular-season meetings.
CARLSON: Jalen Williams made big strides for Thunder, but next ones need to come in NBA Playoffs
Tip-ins
- Gilgeous-Alexander on other teams not fearing OKC: "I have zero reaction. I don't care how much teams fear us. If we win games, I don't care if you fear us or like us. None of that matters to me. None of your feelings toward us matter. As long as we win, I'll be alright."
- Daigneault on Jaren Jackson Jr.: "Jackson has always been a very impactful weak-side shot blocker. He's similar to Giannis (Antetokounmpo) in terms of how they use him, where he kind of roams and rim protects from those spots on the floor."
- Aaron Wiggins on the team's growth: "I think our entire team has (grown). It's shown in our success throughout the regular season. But all of that is kind of put behind us. We've got to individually and as a team be ready tomorrow to just get going. We're just looking to go out there and take care of business."
More: All-NBA team predictions: Will any OKC Thunder players join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
NBA Playoffs
First-round schedule for Thunder vs. Grizzlies:
- Game 1, Sunday (April 20): Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Paycom Center, noon (ABC)
- Game 2, Tuesday (April 22): Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Paycom Center, 6:30 p.m. (TNT/FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 3, Thursday (April 24): Thunder at Grizzlies, FedExForum, 8:30 p.m. (TNT/FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 4, Saturday (April 26): Thunder at Grizzlies, FedExForum, 2:30 p.m. (TNT/FanDuel Sports Network)
- Game 5, Monday (April 28): Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Paycom Center, time/TV TBD (if nec.)
- Game 6, Thursday (May 1): Thunder at Grizzlies, FedExForum, time/TV TBD (if nec.)
- Game 7, Saturday (May 3): Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Paycom Center, time/TV TBD (if nec.)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready for 'the real test' in NBA Playoffs
Continue reading...
