Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops an All-Star truth bomb on Jalen Williams
Doc Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said it’s too early for the MVP conversation, he took the opportunity to explain why Jalen Williams is an All-Star. Gilgeous-Alexander recently campaigned for Jalen Williamsin a campaign for his teammate, while being a standout piece of evidence in Oklahoma City’s dominant 2024-25 campaign.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder weren’t as successful as they were were all season without Williams’ consistent production, according to Brandon Rabar of the Daily Thunder.
“For our team to be as good as we’ve been, so far in the season, obviously before the All-Star game, I think it would be right for him to be an All-Star,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You don’t have this record because of one All-Star. You don’t have this record because of one good player. You have to have a team, a collective second All-Star — a very talented basketball player to help you.
“A lot of times I’m out of the game and he carries the load offensively,” Gilgeus-Alexander concluded.
Williams’ consistency is contributing to the Thunder leading the Western Conference.
“He averaged 20 on hyper-efficiency, and we’re first in the West,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “And I think that’s why his case should be sealed.” But, hey, that’s just my opinion.”
Williams is averaging a career-best 20.6 points on 47.7% shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. In his third NBA season, it’s the strongest case he’s made for an All-Star nod. Williams is seventh among Western Conference frontcourt players in the second NBA fan All-Star voting, with approximately 328,329 votes.
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Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s All-Star pitch to Jalen Williams it was not the first time that he guaranteed the candidacy of his teammates. Amid the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak, Gilgeous-Alexander cited Williams’ efficient approach and their team’s dominance of the Western Conference standings as his most significant talking points.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams’ All-Star selection is a a no-brainer.
“Jalen is a very efficient, versatile basketball player on both ends of the floor,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We are the number one seed in the West for a good game.” Without Jalen, we wouldn’t be this good of a basketball team. And basically, Jalen is pretty good. Really, really good. It’s nothing more than that.
“He’s an All-Star whether he makes it or not,” added Gilgeous-Alexander. “No, it will work.” He’s really, really good at basketball. It will be there in San Fran.”
The starters for the NBA All-Star Game will be announced on January 23rd, and then the reserves will be named on January 30th.
2025-01-13 19:21:00
