Since entering the league, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a problem. His rookie year with the Clippers saw him scoring 11 points per game on very good efficiency, clearly a rising star in the making. However, nobody could have predicted his impact on the league today, as he has blown onto the scene. His play has rewarded sports betters handsomely, and he is comparable to betting on NBA picks and parlays and winning on every bet.
Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented himself as one of the best offensive threats in the game, sitting at the top of players in scoring. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league, becoming one of the most talked about players and the most improved player in the NBA this year.
SGA Entering the League
SGA was the perfect player entering the 2022 NBA draft, but not the best. He had all the skillsets to be a great player in the league; Scoring, efficiency, even rebounds, and assists. He was well-rounded, decently sized, and looked ready for the league.
He was a lottery draft pick in the 2018 NBA draft and immediately made his impact. Directly after this, he moved to OKC, and everything changed.
The new scenery sparked new development for SGA, as he scored 19 points per game. Although the team lost some strength with Paul George leaving, they were serviceable with Chris Paul and Shai. Everything changed when the Thunder began to rebuild, leaving SGA with very little talent by his side.
The Takeover
Once the Thunder gave him the reigns, he never let up. Upping his points to 24 and scoring more efficiently than ever, Gilgeous-Alexander became a household name for young talent. His highlights took over sports Instagram pages, and he was one of the best young scorers.
As each year progressed, his stats increased, and his consistency remained. It got to a point where some thought he would hit a wall, and not be able to maintain his statistics.
This year, he changed the narrative. His 31.1 points per game are ranked 3rd in the league, and he is gaining genuine MVP interest. His stat increase from last year is absolutely unbelievable, something we only see from elite players.
He has increased his points by 7 per game, his field goal percentage by 5%, his 3-point percentage by 4%, his steals by 0.5, and his blocks by 0.4. SGA is clearly the most improved player in the NBA, and it isn’t very close.
His Odds & Competition
He averages at about -123 in most improved player odds, with the next closest being, Tyrese Haliburton at +446. He clearly holds a strong advantage, and his competition doesn’t seem up to par.
The top five players in most improved odds rank as follows:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Tyrese Haliburton
3. Lauri Markkanen
4. Desmond Bane
5. Bol Bol
Of these 5, only one of them is in the MVP discussion, while the other four are either second scorers or a role players on their respective teams. The highest-scoring player on the list is Desmond Bane, and he hasn’t played since the 12th game of the season.
Why This is So Great
Year by year, we have seen the Thunder suffer at the bottom of the NBA rankings. Not much hope has been maintained in that organization, and no real playoff success has occurred since they were the Supersonics.
Hope is now obtained with SGA at the wheel. His play has brought the team in conversation for a play in tournament birth. His scoring prowess is the gas to fuel this offense, and they look more confident than ever in getting the ball in the basket.
The Thunder as a team is ranked 6th in points per game, mostly in part to SGA’s success. They also happen to rank No. 1 in field goals attempted per game, showing that they have a seemingly endless supply of faith in the offensive. SGA has taken over sports media as a top NBA talent, and it’s exactly what the league needs.
Leave a Reply