The Evolution of a Star: How Shai Took Over the NBA

In 2018, ESPN analysts compared Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Shaun Livingston and Patrick McCaw — both role players and champions, but never stars. Livingston was a refined point guard whose career was derailed by a devastating injury. McCaw was more of a passenger on two Warriors title teams. At the time, this was seen as Shai’s ceiling — at least when expectations for him were at their lowest.

Seven years later, Gilgeous-Alexander closed the 2024–25 season with three milestones: an NBA championship, a league MVP award, and the scoring title. In Game 7 of the Finals, he dropped 29 points and dished 12 assists, anchoring the most important night in Oklahoma City’s history. Those early comparisons now look not just inaccurate — they’re a symbol of how often the league underestimates players who don’t fit the mold.

Shai was always in the background — never the flashiest, never the loudest. In college, his contributions were overshadowed by flashier teammates. He was drafted 11th overall, then traded immediately. He didn’t even make the All-Rookie First Team — the final spot went to Marvin Bagley. Today, Bagley sits on the bench while Shai writes his name into the league’s history books.

Put simply, Gilgeous-Alexander has already accomplished more than many superstars do in an entire career. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about the magnitude of his influence. He became the heart and brain of a team that finished the regular season with the best point differential in league history and powered through the playoffs without the usual co-star support. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are immensely talented, but without Shai, this would be a slightly more refined version of the Orlando Magic. With him, it’s a championship team.

In terms of accolades, Shai is already in elite company. He now has as many All-NBA First Team selections as Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Detroit-era Isiah Thomas. He’s averaged over 30 points per game for three straight seasons. He won his first MVP earlier than Kobe or LeBron did. In MVP vote share over a career, he’s already in the top 35 — and rising.

But what’s more fascinating than the stats is the style. Shai is a player out of time. He’s not lured by deep threes, doesn’t chase highlight reels, and avoids unnecessary acrobatics. His game is rooted in craft: slashing drives, sudden stops, mid-range precision. He reminds the world that efficiency and creativity can coexist. His true shooting percentage (TS%) has held steady at 62% for three straight seasons while averaging 30+ points — something only Adrian Brantley ever managed, and he rarely left the free-throw line.

In isolation scoring over the past three years, he ranks second out of 128 players. As a pick-and-roll ball handler, he’s fourth out of the top 100. In drives to the basket, he stands alone — far ahead of stars like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. No one puts more consistent pressure on the rim with the ball in hand. And crucially, he didn’t lose that edge in the playoffs — he elevated it. His 32.7 points per game in the 2025 postseason mark the highest average ever for a champion. Higher than Jordan in his best title run. Higher than Shaq, Kareem, or Kobe. And he did it with the highest usage rate (34.8%) of any champion in league history — even more than Jordan.

Comparisons to Michael Jordan may sound bold, but if you isolate the offensive numbers, Shai’s stats over the last three seasons almost mirror Jordan’s from 1991 to 1993: scoring, efficiency, usage — all nearly identical. Sure, Shai isn’t the same defensive force. But who in today’s league builds legacy purely on defense? This doesn’t mean Shai has already joined the ranks of LeBron, Curry, or Jokic. But he’s the only player of the new generation to have already claimed both an MVP and a championship — and did it as the unquestioned leader. Tatum, Dončić, Edwards, Haliburton — they’re all still chasing their moments. Shai has already created his.

Oklahoma City is just getting started. The average age of the roster is 25.6, the team has a stockpile of draft picks and plenty of cap flexibility. Surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander are two players who could easily become All-Stars themselves. All of this extends the Thunder’s window and gives Shai the chance to join the elite group of players who didn’t settle for one ring.

Creating a dynasty in today’s balanced NBA is nearly impossible. But if any team looks capable of doing what Golden State did in the mid-2010s, it’s Oklahoma City. Too many smart decisions, too strong a leader to doubt their chances. In 2018, experts believed Shai’s ceiling was being the fourth-best player on a championship team. Now, he’s the kind of player without whom a championship isn’t even possible.

And maybe that’s the best definition of a true NBA star.