Within the trendy NBA, expertise is far bigger than league historical past.
As for among the most proficient gamers within the NBA proper now, it is unimaginable to rule out Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder celebrity Shy Gilgus Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander had an unimaginable season, main Lightning to first place within the Western Convention with a league-leading 68-14 report.
The SGA gained the 2025 NBA MVP Award and is now one victory from main the group to its first NBA championship with lightning. On this unbelievable marketing campaign, SGA gained the reward of La Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal.
In the course of the heyday of his profession, O’Neill was one of the vital dominant gamers ever. He led the Lakers three NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.
In 2025, as an analyst, O’Neal hardly ever avoids giving his opinion on the present state of the league. He typically criticizes the current period as weaker than him.
However even the massive Aristotle needed to tilt his hats to Gilgauss Alexander and Ja Morant in a current episode of The Massive Podcast with Shaq.
“Ja and Shai are related. They obtained a wierd dope recreation, you possibly can’t, I do not know. I can not perceive Shai. I am attempting to match him to somebody I do not know.
It’s a nice honor for Morant and SGA to obtain such reward from the 4X NBA champions. Nevertheless, even for those who say that there’s a “unusual dope” recreation on two stars, it is easy to come back to a conclusion.
If somebody was requested to decide on between the SGA and Morant when drafted into the NBA, most would have chosen the Memphis Grizzlies star as a greater participant.
In spite of everything, Morant was the second total choose within the 2019 NBA Draft in comparison with Shai’s 18th spot within the 2018 NBA Draft.
Morant additionally gained the NBA Rookie of the Yr Award, however Gilgauss Alexander was traded to the Thunder after his rookie season.
However quick ahead to 2025 and the SGA proves it is a league greater than Morant. In actual fact, the information offered by Sofacore helps this declare.
SGA averaged 32.7 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 Thunders and over 76 assists, whereas Morant rose over 50 video games with 23.2 factors, 4.1 rebounds and seven.3 assists on the Grizzlies.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37% in comparison with 52% from the sector, 37% from the 3-dotted line, 45% from the sector, and 31% from the Deep.
Plus, Shy runs by way of the historic postseason, carrying lightning on his again. This consists of cleansing up the Morant-led Grizzlies within the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
In conclusion, O’Neill might have given his flowers to each Gilgauss Alexander and Morant, however the distinction between the 2 stars is as totally different as day and night time.
