“It’s something I want and that I embrace.” Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the Thunder’s Next Star?

Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a star in the making?

Despite hundreds of questions facing the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, that’s the single question that looms largest in the minds of everyone from Thunder General Manager Sam Presti to Daily Thunder Commenter Sam Spence.

When the Thunder overhauled the roster over the summer by trading away beloved franchise hero Russell Westbrook and Mr. Mixed Signals Paul George, OKC fans scrambled to make sense of the return.

The treasure trove of first round picks and pick swaps were fascinating but not yet tangible. Chris Paul was a nostalgically intriguing superstar, but past antics, and the fact that he was past his prime, diminished our longing for a Ghost of Oklahoma City Past. Danilo Gallinari was an excellent player, but his contract was expiring and his elite shooting and scoring were talents [Adam Sandler voice] that could have been useful YESTERDAY!

And then there was this Shy Gildger… Shay Alexander… Shai Gilly… okay, who is this guy and how do you say his name?

“Just Shai, or SGA,” he told me with a warm smile when I asked what he preferred to be called or if he had any nicknames.