Shai Gilgeous-Alexander understands that Oklahoma City Thunder will come as a shock to many, but he admitted that he’s not shocked.
The Thunder’s tank days seem to be over. The franchise started the season with the projection of being in the last positions of the West, but it ran over expectations.
The Thunder has won 23 of 47 games so far and thus is on the edge of the play-in bracket.
“I have always found it easy to be patient with this team as I see the evolution every day.” Shai said.
“I saw the growth that this group had in the last five months, one or two years. So for me, it’s a smooth process.
“I am excited about what I see, as I believe we are going to be a very good team much sooner than they thought.” Shai added.
The Thunder’s performance is especially curious due to the conditions in which the team started the competition.
The cast is, in short, the same as the last campaign. Freshman Chet Holmgren , who should have been the franchise’s great reinforcement, did not enter the court because of an injury.
Hiring is important for the evolution of a team. However, in Oklahoma City, development has always been indoors.
“We remember that we only won 24 games last season. There were 22 wins in the previous campaign. Therefore, we know that we are improving as a collective.” Shai said.
“The rise is evident. But most of all, I think all the players here are getting addicted to the feeling of winning. It’s what motivates us to keep working.” Shai added.
Shai is certainly the big name of the Thunder’s rise in the season. The 24-year-old is sure to play in the first All-Star Game of his career.
He is one of only five players in the league so far to average 30 points per game. He still has 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals while making more than 50% of his shots from the court.
