Why Shaquille O'Neal is 'taking' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic

The NBA is filled with young talent.

But if you ask Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal, it doesn't get much better than OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

When asked during TNT's pregame show for a game between the OKC Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, O'Neal said he would take Gilgeous-Alexander over Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

"Luka is a fabulous player," O'Neal said. "But this kid (Gilgeous-Alexander), listen, he plays the right way. He gets his teammates involved. ... I'm taking him right now. He's definitely emerged as one of my favorite players to watch."

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After earning an All-NBA first team selection last season, Gilgeous Alexander is playing elite basketball once again. The 25-year-old guard entered Tuesday averaging 31.3 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.

O'Neal isn't the only one giving Gilgeous-Alexander recognition for his meteoric rise. The sixth-year guard earned Western Conference Player of the Month honors for his play in December, and he ranks third the NBA's MVP ladder.

"I like stories like this," O'Neal said. "Guys who come out of nowhere and then they're a force to be reckoned with. He's a helluva player."

Doncic, 24, ranks fourth on the MVP ladder.

The sixth-year guard also earned an All-NBA first team selection last season and is playing at a high level once again. Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 9.1 assists and 8.1 rebounds.

But it isn't all about the individual numbers.

Gilgeous-Alexander has led OKC to a 27-12 record, and the team is second in the Western Conference standings. Dallas, on the other hand, is sixth in the standings with a 24-17 record.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shaq is 'taking' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Doncic in MVP race