Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks OKC Thunder guard Cason Wallace can be NBA All-Star
DETROIT — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave Cason Wallace a particularly high grade Saturday.
“He has tools to be an All-Star, like a Jrue Holiday,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Thunder's 113-107 win against the Pistons.
This was after his sophomore teammate poured in 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, the Thunder’s second leading scorer on a night where offense was head scratching outside of SGA. Bodies down and counting, ball handlers in a drought.
Wallace attacked off the bounce, with the arena’s PA guy shouting “Carson Wallace” a lot more than he likely signed up for; Wallace had nine points before OKC’s first timeout.
“I came out with a mindset to go score early,” Wallace said. “I had one of their main guys on me, so just make his life a lil harder on defense, make him use more energy.”
Gilgeous-Alexander marveled at the fact that injuries could pull the rug from underneath Wallace, begging him to seize more, and that he’d still be ready.
“Some nights Cason shoots four shots, and tonight he's our second-leading scorer and has the ball in his hands all game,” SGA noted. “And sure, he’d probably much rather play this with — it's a little bit more fun — but be sacrifices, and then he has to just turn it on when it's not that easy, and it's a lot harder than you would think.”
SGA added: “With guys like that, you always worry that them sacrificing and them being in a role will hinder their development. But to see that he’s continued to be so confident and be the player he is and do whatever it takes for the team. A guy like Cason is an A-plus role player.”
Joel Lorenzi covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joel? He can be reached at jlorenzi@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @joelxlorenzi. Support Joel's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks Cason Wallace can be NBA All-Star
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