Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Astronomical Ascendancy Marks Him as the Most Polarizing Athlete of His Era, Leaving Others in the Dust and Igniting a Debate as Heated as Political Loyalties in a Divided Nation
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of a remarkable start to the 2025 season, boasting an undefeated record of 7-0 after their latest victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. This impressive streak continues from their triumphant campaign last year, where they clinched their first title. At the center of their success is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning regular-season MVP and last year’s Finals MVP. His stellar performance has kept him in the conversation as one of the elite scorers in the league, a narrative that has garnered both admiration and heated debate among fans and analysts alike.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s statistical output speaks volumes about his contributions to the team. He scored 30 points and provided seven assists in their latest game, shooting a remarkable 57 percent from the field. Such high efficiency, coupled with his ability to perform consistently at critical moments, solidifies his position as a key player not just for the Thunder but in the entire league. Observers have noted that his game has taken another step forward this season, a prospect that is both exciting and worrying for opposing teams.
Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins recently weighed in on Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential to become the best scorer of his generation. Cousins didn’t hold back, stating that Gilgeous-Alexander is “in a league of his own right now.” His assertion challenges the conventional hierarchies within the league, particularly when considering accolades typically reserved for a select few. Cousins further mentioned that outside of perhaps Nikola Jokic, few can be mentioned in the same breath as Gilgeous-Alexander, emphasizing just how rare his talent is.
Such praise is not unfounded. Gilgeous-Alexander’s peak performance metrics position him among the greatest offensive players in NBA history. He finished the previous season averaging 32.7 points per game with a shooting percentage of 52, placing him alongside iconic figures like Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry in a rarefied category of high-scoring efficiency. Only four players have ever won a regular-season MVP, Finals MVP, and scoring title in the same season: Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This accomplishment elevates him into a historical framework that few can claim.
Furthermore, advanced metrics validate Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance. His Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM), Estimated Wins (EW), and Net Rating statistics illuminate his impact on the game beyond traditional box scores. These metrics demonstrate that he is not just a scorer but a transformative player who elevates the entire Thunder roster. His isolation efficiency, particularly noted for his unique drives to the basket, ranks among the highest in NBA history, revealing his ability to create scoring opportunities in high-pressure situations.
As the Thunder continue to build momentum, they are viewed as strong contenders for a repeat championship—a feat not accomplished since the Golden State Warriors achieved the milestone in 2018. However, it’s noteworthy that the season is still in its infancy. Historical examples abound of teams that have stumbled after high expectations. The Boston Celtics, for instance, were favorites to repeat last season after their successful run in 2024 but were ultimately unable to capitalize. Similarly, the Denver Nuggets, the anticipated champions at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, did not live up to the pre-season hype.
A key factor in the Thunder’s sustained success will be the eventual return of Jalen Williams, their second-best player, who is currently sidelined with a wrist injury sustained during last postseason. Williams is projected to return by mid-November, which would further bolster the Thunder’s lineup. Given the current undefeated status of the team, the management can afford to be cautious regarding Williams’ recovery.
As Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate the narrative surrounding the Thunder, the implications of his performance ripple throughout the league. The debate surrounding his place within the pantheon of basketball greatness is more than just a statistical analysis; it reflects broader themes of legacy, talent evaluation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence within a highly competitive environment.
While the team is enjoying their early successes, they also have to navigate the complexities of sustaining this high level of performance throughout the season. The pressures of expectations, both internal and external, can create a challenging environment. Nevertheless, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, the Thunder have solidified their status as a formidable force, and the basketball world is keenly watching how this season unfolds, particularly in relation to the Thunder’s quest for a second consecutive championship.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have continued their dominance from where they left off in last year’s title season. With the win against the New Orleans Pelicans, they are currently sitting with a 7- 0 record.
Thunder’s reigning regular-season MVP and last year’s Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, posted another dominant performance, scoring 30 points and dishing out seven assists while shooting 57 percent from the field, displaying his consistency at the highest level yet again.
At this point, Gilgeous-Alexander’s performances are no surprise to anyone. After last season’s dominant individual run, it seems like he has gotten even better, which is sinister for the rest of the league.
Due to his unparalleled consistency and efficiency, former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins shared his opinion on Gilgeous-Alexander’s individual scoring rank when asked if he would become the best scorer of his generation.
“I would have to say yes, or we should have a strong consideration for sure. Obviously, he is in a league of his own right now. This kid is elite. We’re running out of compliments for the kid. As far as his company, I can’t think of a guy outside of Jokic that could possibly be mentioned in this class. And they might not be in the same top frame. He’s definitely in a category of his own, maybe Tatum can be put up there, but I think SGA is definitely in a league of his own,” Cousins said without hesitation.
Almost in a league of his own
Due to his remarkable impact, efficiency, elite scoring, and overall consistent play, SGA achieved unique statistical feats. He finished the 2024-25 season with 32.7 points per game, while shooting 52 percent from the field, putting Shai in company with only Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry.
After winning last year’s regular season MVP, finals MVP, and a scoring title, he became just the fourth player to accomplish such a feat, alongside MJ, who did it four different times, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Additionally, advanced metrics such as Estimated Plus-Minus, Estimated Wins, and Net Rating further highlight Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance, extending beyond regular statistics, which also show that he led the league in those categories. With that, Shai’s isolation efficiency is ranked among the highest ever at 1.10, based on his unique drives to the basket, which he also led the league in.
Thunder’s expectations
As of now, the Thunder appear to be the favorites for a repeat, a feat that has yet to be accomplished since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. However, it is still the beginning of the season, and there is a lot of basketball left to play.
We have seen this trend before, as with the Boston Celtics, who were expected to repeat as champions last season after their 2024 title run, but ultimately failed to do so. With them were the Denver Nuggets in the 2023-24 season, who were seen as the squad to beat for a championship, based on their success in 2023.
Still, the Thunder are yet to have their second-best player, Jalen Williams, back, as he is out due to a wrist injury he suffered last postseason. J-Dub is expected to return in the middle of this month, but he can definitely take his time and rest up fully, since the Thunder have no issues whatsoever.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.