Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a difficult matchup for any player to guard. Gordon Hayward gave context as to why the Oklahoma City Thunderstar is such a tough cover.
Since he entered the league, Shy Gilgas Alexander has always been a tough matchup. He plays with an unorthodox dribbling style that confuses defenders. It’s difficult to grasp the play style. This includes drawing a foul against a defender.
Gordon Hayward gave people the difficulty of protecting the context behind Gilgauss Alexander. SGA is an abnormality in today’s era. This is because most superstars focus on boundary play. The Gilgeous-Alexander has a more interior style with its rim finish and mid-range jump shots.
Whenever Gilgeous-Alexander has the ball, he is a threat to score. This can come in many ways, as he has improved his weapon of offensive movement. In the past, he always relied on layups and floaters to end.
He still loves those shots, but he improved by adding pull-up midrange shots to his game. The Gilgeous-Alexander can go back to the 3-point line when he feels the defender is too far away. The SGA is the best example of a three-level scorer who can improve the Thunder’s offense.
His experience as a thunderbolt has seen up close to why Gilgauss Alexander has become so difficult to protect.
“He’s very good at controlling his body, drawing contact and getting out of your body at the right moment. He fully understands the skill, but some of his other things are his footwork,” Hayward told SiriusXM NBA radio.
“The ability to start and stop. I think he’s one of the best in the league with start and stops. If you turn each foot and pivot, he can do that with both.”
“That’s really impressive. He gets to his spot and knows how much space he needs, how much he needs to get off the shot. Obviously, he’s one of the best in that league. In the playoffs, when someone needs to give the ball, he can do it with the best.”
Despite his position as one of the best teams of the present day, the Thunder still has room for growth. It should scare the league as Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams continue to improve. The team already has Gilgas Alexander, but the defender is wary of his teammates, making him even more dangerous.
Defensively, they are already a historic team. They are in the 2025 NBA Finals and are waiting for a matchup. No matter which team opposes them, Thunder will become your favorite. Gilgauss Alexander is a big reason for this as he is a vulnerable player.
Hayward gave the context behind why he’s difficult to be vigilant, but that makes it difficult for any defender. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to develop counters to defenders he is trying to stop scoring, and keeps finding counters.
