AN OKC WELCOME
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cuts a calm figure in his Thunder intro
New Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cuts a calm figure in his OKC intro
Surrounded by media in the gymnasium of Eugene Field Elementary School on Thursday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked to describe his game.
The strong points of leadership and playmaking were said first before Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City debut was interrupted as a voice abruptly came blasting out of the school's intercom.
Rather than talk over it, the 21-year-old point guard smiled and waited. After the speaker went silent, he continued:
“… penetrating ability. Umm, weak points … strength. I feel like I need to get stronger, and I guess shooting the ball deep, off the dribble as well as catch-and-shoot.”
For all of Gligeous-Alexander's talents, what hasn't been advertised in his arrival from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City is his demeanor, which was on display at the team's Rolling Thunder Book Bus event.
Being a rookie in the NBA is so hard that even statistical minuses are positives. Among the 20 rookies who played 20 minutes or more last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was fourth-best in point differential per 100 possessions (minus-2).
This was from a 73-game starter at the most difficult learning curve position in the league, from a player who in less than a year went from the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 to being trusted as the primary defender on Golden State's Stephen Curry in the Western Conference first round.
In his first meeting with the media Thursday, you wouldn't have tabbed Gilgeous-Alexander as a player coming off a Second Team All-Rookie season as a 20-year-old starter for a 48-win playoff team.
“Honestly, I was just grateful for the opportunity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of guarding Curry and playing an integral role in the Clippers' season. “Not a lot of guys get to experience that in their rookie season.
“I learned so much, from the preparation before the game to things during the game, things that will go
with me for the rest of my career. Me being blessed to experience them and learn them early is something special and I appreciate that.”
You also wouldn't call Gilgeous-Alexander timid.
Naturally, questions were asked about succeeding Russell Westbrook. For the first time in 11 seasons,
the Thunder backcourt won't be led by the dynamic Westbrook, as Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder will pick up playmaking
duties.
Those questions were handled deftly by the newcomer. GilgeousAlexander smiled and said he could compete
with Westbrook's fashion sense. He also deflected any notion of pressure to live up to the legacy of the 2016- 17 Most Valuable Player. “He set the bar pretty high,” GilgeousAlexander said.
As he spoke and the speaker above cut in and out, Gilgeous-Alexander balanced between a player who knows he belongs and one who understands he has plenty to learn.
“I am not Russell Westbrook,” GilgeousAlexander said with no malice. “I do not have the same name, same body type, stuff like that. So, I'm just going to try to be myself and be the best me and everything else will take care of itself.
“I'm just a basketball player. Regardless of the situation, I'm going to continue to work hard and play my game. I know that eventually it will come out. I don't worry about starting. I'm not worried about accolades or things like that. I just work hard, keep my head down and (stay) true to who I am.”