OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'grateful' as he starts NBA All-Star Game
INDIANAPOLIS — Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook. Paul George.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows the names. Everyone does. Their places in Oklahoma City Thunder lurk over the Paycom Center, over a city whose short-term NBA lease has mostly enjoyed greatness — demanded greatness, really, like a landlord on the 1st.
That’s what comes with generational talents. Hoop celestials, franchise alterers. Perhaps it's difficult to grasp Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension toward that company outside of the buzz he generates in Oklahoma City.
All until the lines inside the Indiana Convention Center wrap around twice just to shake his hand, a numbing crowd that seems as if Michael Jackson is giving away flat screen TVs. The MVP questions, the glamour behind the All-Star starter nod that allowed him to join the aforementioned list. His face on every billboard, every flyer. His braids and bare face are plastered everywhere.
Gilgeous-Alexander knows what it all means, too. The two-time All-Star just doesn’t want to think about it.
“I honestly try to stay very present, not look too far ahead, not look back and kind of just take advantage of every moment,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on Saturday, one day before he will start in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time. “Whether it's me working or it's me just being grateful for where I am today. I try to just stay in the moment, and it's worked out pretty good thus far.”
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Playoff appearances and deep runs into the summer dictate how we define legacies. But weekends like Gilgeous-Alexander’s are how they begin. His season — defined by elite two-play and a consistency that’s become almost monotonous — is put in a glass frame, gently hung in the background for others to discuss. He’ll just remain silent.
His place is hardly debatable. First on the stage in a press conference room that was eventually graced by Stephen Curry, Durant and select others. He was dubbed one of the next faces of the league by Curry. Anthony Davis singled him out when asked what young player is deserving of more attention.
Those swirling Indianapolis during All-Star weekend aren’t questioning his talent.
Curious minds will wonder what’s next. They’ll ask what Gilgeous-Alexander, postseason first option, looks like. They’ll inquire about what it’ll take for SGA to parlay his stardom into bling.
“Usually experience,” said SGA, asked what the Thunder might need to win a ring. “The teams that have gone through multiple playoff series and multiple guys that have gotten to that level know what it takes to get over the hump. That's something that, honestly, just has to come with us playing in more games. Maybe we give it time. Maybe we don't.”
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Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t spending the weekend dwelling on his accomplishments or thrusting himself into his newfound spotlight. If it was a glare before, it’s an eclipse now. And he’s effectively thrown on sunglasses indoors, which is on-brand anyway.
Asked what it is about his season that’s resonated with people so heavily that he was placed at the podium, he deferred.
“I think winning games speaks for itself,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That's why everybody plays the game. That's why you watch the game. You want your teams to win. It's everybody's ultimate goal, and I think that obviously this year we've gotten off to a really good start in that category.”
He was asked questions that all but cement his MVP involvement. He was nudged to comment on the league’s 65-game requirement for award races, to which he replied that the league has good intentions and that he’d happy oblige with his availability.
Sooner than later, LeBron James will have walked his final All-Star game tunnel. Durant will have extended his wingspan to firmly pass a torch. Then who’s left?
“I have no clue,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think that's your guys' job to decide and figure out. But it will be an amazing league regardless.”
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How to watch NBA All-Star Game
TIPOFF: 7 p.m. Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (TNT)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'grateful' for NBA All-Star start
