OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) 鈥� Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is mostly an expressionless, emotionless model of consistency.
Whether Oklahoma City's superstar guard has an off night or scores 50 points, the cool Canadian with the impeccable style sticks to the script. He says he's not an all-time great yet, but Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be on his way to greatness.
His understated persona is unusual in today's NBA, especially coming from a super-talented 26-year-old in a world of self promotion and viral antics. But watch Gilgeous-Alexander 鈥� before, during and after games 鈥� and it becomes plausible that the MVP finalist actually buys what he's selling.
So rarely does Gilgeous-Alexander deviate from his approach that even a hint of feeling from him becomes a moment. After he was caught smiling following a Game 3 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, in 12 hours.
鈥� ," the Hamilton native said. "I know how the game goes, I know how life is. It鈥檚 easy to taunt when you鈥檙e up. I don鈥檛 ever want to show them that I鈥檓 defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing鈥檚 written, the series is not over and we have a lot to be optimistic about.鈥�
Gilgeous-Alexander was right, the series is far from over. He in Game 4 that regained its homecourt advantage.
His ability to bounce back comes from an approach that has been consistent for years.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 ever worry about my game or how it鈥檚 going,鈥� he said during the first-round sweep against Memphis. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 ever worry about the things that it would seem like I鈥檇 worry about. I always just worry about time and score and quality of possession. And then let I the game flow, let the game come to me, let it come to my teammates. And usually we鈥檝e had success because we do so. We stay in the moment.鈥�
At the moment, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are back in Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday night with a chance to put three-time MVP Nikola Joki膰 and the Denver Nuggets on the brink of elimination.
And everyone can expect more of the same from Gilgeous-Alexander.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got a certain temperament that I think is pretty steady just as a person,鈥� Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the same person every day, is the same person in every interaction really, regardless of what鈥檚 going on.鈥�
Daigneault said Gilgeous-Alexander's steadiness includes his routine and preparation.
鈥淗e comes in and he has the same process every single day,鈥� Daigneault said. 鈥淗e has the same process before every single game. And so I think when you combine kind of the personality, the stability of his personality and the stability of his work, I think that鈥檚 where you see the stability of his performance.鈥�
Opposing coaches praise Gilgeous-Alexander's growth and versatility.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e talking about a one-on-one player that can make shots at all four levels,鈥� said Indiana's Rick Carlisle. 鈥淚 mean, his game has four levels. It鈥檚 like way outside, it鈥檚 normal three, it鈥檚 mid-range. It鈥檚 really maybe five levels. It鈥檚 right at the rim. It鈥檚 little floaters. And so he鈥檚 just so efficient and accurate that it鈥檚 a very monumental task to slow him down.鈥�
Gilgeous-Alexander also averaged 6.4 assists per game during the regular season and has emerged as a high-level perimeter defender.
鈥淗e impacts winning,鈥� Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before Gilgeous-Alexander . 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what the MVP is in my mind. He helps carry that team. He鈥檚 a guy who 鈥� you see the way his teammates treat him, respect him and follow him. Those are the types of guys that you want MVPs to be."
When he is not passing the ball, Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring so much that Golden State coach Steve Kerr wasn鈥檛 even surprised when he .
鈥淪hai is ... he鈥檚 incredible,鈥� Kerr said. 鈥淓veryone knows that and he鈥檚 impossible to guard."
He is not the first Oklahoma City player to draw that sort of praise. Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Paul George put their stamps on the franchise. Gilgeous-Alexander is aware of the history, but he has made the Thunder relevant again in his own way.
Westbrook is now in Denver, and Thunder fans gave him a standing ovation when he entered Game 1. Gilgeous-Alexander's reaction was another example of his quiet confidence and self-assuredness.
鈥淭he ovation is beautiful,鈥� Gilgeous-Alexander said. 鈥淭he things he鈥檚 done for this city, this organization 鈥� like, he deserves it no matter what. And what he鈥檚 done for the game, period, has been special. And just because you鈥檙e on the other team doesn鈥檛 change anything.鈥�
What would change things for Gilgeous-Alexander is an NBA championship. He knows that and believes until he wins one he shouldn't be mentioned among the game鈥檚 greats.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 get in those conversations, really, until you win,鈥� Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I know that鈥檚 where I ultimately want to be when my career is said and done. Winning games, winning championships is at the front of my mind and it always will be. And after that, everything else will come and follow suit.鈥�
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AP NBA:
Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press
