After finishing fifth in NBA MVP voting in 2022/23, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is building another strong case for the award this season, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman.
Gilgeous-Alexander is once again averaging over 30 points per game through his first 21 contests, and he’s scoring those points more efficiently, with career highs in field goal percentage (55.0%) and free throw percentage (91.7%). He’s also dishing a career-best 6.2 assists and is leading the NBA with 2.8 steals per night, establishing himself as a legitimate All-Defensive candidate, Mussatto opines. On top of all that, Oklahoma City’s 15-7 record is good for second place in the Western Conference.
According to Mussatto, if he were casting an MVP ballot today he’d have usual suspects Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid at the top, but Gilgeous-Alexander would come be at No. 3.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Oklahoma City voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether or not to approve a six-year, one percent sales tax that would help fund a new arena for the Thunder. Sean Murphy of The Associated Press has the story on the vote and the plan for a new arena, which is expected to cost at least $900MM.
- The Jazz were beaten soundly in Oklahoma City on Monday to fall to 7-16 on the season, but the play of rookie guard Keyonte George was a silver lining, as he scores 30 points for the first time in his professional career, per Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune. “Tonight is good for his mentality,” head coach Will Hardy said. “Now he’s seen himself do it. … There’s always a part of your brain that’s not sure if you can actually do it.”
- After the good vibes that last season generated, the Jazz have to tread carefully as they struggle to compile wins this season, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. While Utah isn’t expected to be a playoff or play-in team, the club needs to make sure it’s competing hard and playing the right way to avoid developing a losing culture, Jones notes.
- Speaking to Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson discussed what it meant to win an NBA championship, taking on a bigger role in Denver this season, and the opportunity to play alongside Nikola Jokic (“the best player in the world”), among other topics.
For proper context, Keyonte George scored 17 of his 30 points in the 4th Quarter, where he played all 12 minutes. The Utah Jazz trailed by 36 points entering the 4th Quarter. In the previous 11 quarters prior to the 4th Quarter, Keyonte George’s plus/minus was -90.
Utah is losing because they have a rookie PG starting. Nothing against George but he should be playing sixth man PG. (Not a PG in college) start Dunn or trade for Fulks or Paul. Utah needs to draft a young and promising SG and SF next year and they should be able to compete with a set roster of solid veterans and young talent at every position. Trade Sexton, Dunn and 3 or 2 2nds for Fulks
Who is Fulks? Are you talking about Fultz from Orlando?
Yeah Markelle from Orlando
Thanks bro. I have been spelling it wrong for a year now….. He would be great in Utah or Washington. Orlando needs to move on
UTH is tanking, i.e., losing by design. Ainge’s version of the “No PG” design. In this case, it can’t be clearer since they had a (more than) competent PG in Conley, who was aiding in the development of their young players and in place for this year under an expiring deal. Problem is UTH was winning too many games. So, Ainge shipped him out without replacing him. They’ve been losing prodigiously ever since. Ainge is not looking to change that, so why are some posters here?