Rivers predicted stardom for Gilgeous-Alexander, but says Thunder star has exceeded expectations
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Doc Rivers says he saw star potential in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while coaching him as a rookie before the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to Oklahoma City.
But the veteran coach concedes that Gilgeous-Alexander has drastically outperformed those expectations.
“I don’t think anybody in the world saw this in him,” said Rivers, who coached the Clippers from 2013-20. “We did think he was going to be really, really good. I thought he was going to be a star. I said it when we traded him. But to see this, I don’t think anyone can honestly say they knew he was going to be this special.”
Rivers was speaking before his Milwaukee Bucks lost 121-105 to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Western Conference-leading Thunder on Sunday night.
The Clippers included Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the package to bring nine-time All-Star Paul George to Los Angeles in the summer of 2019. The acquisition of George helped the Clippers also land Kawhi Leonard in free agency after he had just led the Toronto Raptors to an NBA title.
At the time of the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander was coming off a rookie season in which he had averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds while starting 73 games. The three-time All-Star took his game to another level with Oklahoma City and now is considered one of the top candidates for this season’s MVP award along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is averaging an NBA-leading 33 points and has scored at least 20 points in 62 consecutive games.
“I had him his rookie year, the one thing I loved about him, the game has never gone fast for him,” Rivers said. “He’s always been able to play at a pretty good pace, and now he’s just getting better at it.”
He continued strengthening his MVP case this weekend by helping the Thunder win at Detroit and Milwaukee on back-to-back nights.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points in a 113-107 victory at Detroit. He showed the diversification of his offensive game Sunday by scoring 31 points despite going 0 for 5 from 3-point range, the first time since Nov. 20 that he had gone an entire game without a 3-pointer.
“He just has great blend and found stuff in the flow of the game,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He didn’t, I think, play his best offensive game tonight, but still had a very steady hand.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
-
Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks OKC Thunder guard Cason Wallace can be NBA All-Star
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave Cason Wallace a particularly high grade Saturday after the Thunder's 113-107 win against the Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Celtics with Converse logo after Thunder's win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Boston Celtics with Converse logo after the Oklahoma City Thunder's win.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Kevin Durant for quickest to 10K points on Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Kevin Durant for quickest to 10K points on Oklahoma City Thunder.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 48 points and Thunder hold off Pistons 113-107
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 113-107ABC News - 1d -
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 as Thunder beat Bucks 121-105 for 10th win in last 11 games
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and eight assists as the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105ABC News - 8h -
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 as Thunder beat Bucks 121-105 for 10th win in last 11 games
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and eight assists as the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105 on Sunday night. Isaiah Hartenstein added a ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Free NBA SGP for Celtics vs. Thunder on March 12: Model says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes under 33.5 points
SportsLine's model simulated the Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 10,000 times and revealed its NBA same-game parlay picks resulting in a +579 payoutCBS Sports - 4d -
NBA MVP odds: Nikola Jokić's historic night gives Nuggets star big boost in race against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jokić's 30-20-20 game cut Gilgeous-Alexander's lead in the MVP odds.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
NBA contenders don't fear the Thunder -- here are 22 reasons they should
Underestimate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and West-leading Oklahoma City at your own peril.ESPN - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
NJCAA Region 20 Semis Report
Truth Norton of Howard CC is but one standout reviewed plus more, relative to the Region 20 semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
In major WNBA trade, Natasha Cloud goes to Liberty for first-round pick
The defending champion New York Liberty have acquired three-time All-Defensive team honoree Natasha Cloud from the Sun for the No. 7 overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Imps forward Makama has 'crazy' potential - Skubala
Jovon Makama's hat-trick against Bristol Rovers is a glimpse of the "crazy" potential he has, says Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala.Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
Tee Higgins extension: A look at highest-paid No. 2 WRs in NFL after Bengals star lands record-setting deal
Higgins is becoming the highest paid No. 2 wide receiver in footballCBS Sports - 8m -
Change is in the air as Ohio State opens spring practice
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes opened spring practice on Monday.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
'Fantastic motivation' - Maresca on Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the Club World Cup is a "fantastic motivation" as his side look to win the newly-expanded competition. The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Bengals working to retain Trey Hendrickson after giving Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins massive deals, per reports
Cincy may end up keeping its star pass rusher after previously allowing him to seek tradeCBS Sports - 10m -
NJCAA Region 20 Semis Report
Truth Norton of Howard CC is but one standout reviewed plus more, relative to the Region 20 semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 10m