Is it time to start talking about Shai Gregeous-Alexander? - Page 43

Above the Rim · 04-15-2026, 01:39 PM

The Best Team narrative in favor of OKC can even be questioned.

Technically, they have the best record. But only 2 games ahead of the 2nd best record - Spurs.

When you toss in the Head-to-Head this year (OKC loses 4 out of 5) vs. Spurs, how sure are we that OKC is even really the Best Team ?

Thunderdunk · 04-15-2026, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

The Best Team narrative in favor of OKC can even be questioned.

Technically, they have the best record. But only 2 games ahead of the 2nd best record - Spurs.

When you toss in the Head-to-Head this year (OKC loses 4 out of 5) vs. Spurs, how sure are we that OKC is even really the Best Team ?

Might want to consider that OKC's starting lineup did not even play 10% of the year together. But yet they started the season 24-1 and ended the season 20-1 ( minus the last 2 games where everything was decided and starters sat)

Even with all the injuries to OKC this year, they still were the best defensive team in the league and had another top offense. It will all be settled on the court.

Above the Rim · 04-15-2026, 06:23 PM

Yeah injuries can factor. Wembanyama himself missed a bunch of games due to injury, Spurs had to hold it together until their best player returned. When the 2 teams met Head-to-Head earlier this year, I forget how many players were out, but I think both teams were at relative full strength when they played each other about that early season Tournament time - Spurs beat them handily.

spurs50fan · 04-16-2026, 11:54 AM

One of the things I'm surprised we haven't agreed upon is this supposed let down if a star goes out. We've seen it at least 5 times this year. These teams in the upper tier are built for adversity. They are great teams and organizations. These guys can still play and compete at a high level. Of course it's not the same but they can give any team hell, star or not during the regular season. Especially when so many teams are either tanking, mid or restructuring.

So you can take the Thunder/Pistons/Spurs/Celtics and see the dropoff isn't that significant minus their major stars. But if talent loss is your consideration, Jaylen Brown is that guy this year.

BoSoxFan1999 · 04-16-2026, 12:09 PM

I have no qualms with people saying SGA's been the best player in the NBA the last 2 years. Also, I have 0 desire to collect any of his cards. Great basketball player, but that's about it.

boxbuster7 · 04-16-2026, 12:30 PM

Shai is great but his game isn't very dynamic. It is more calculated. And I think that is where the flipper boys kinda push back. That said he's had some big sales recently.

BoSoxFan1999 · 04-16-2026, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Shai is great but his game isn't very dynamic. It is more calculated. And I think that is where the flipper boys kinda push back. That said he's had some big sales recently.

Regardless of what you think of his play style, when the trophies start racking up, they start to speak for themselves.

boxbuster7 · 04-16-2026, 02:20 PM

Just realized the OP spelled his name wrong haha

JohnnyHatesJazz · 04-16-2026, 05:41 PM

Too Shai for everybody else! Hush em up!

Let's build up that trophy case!

JohnnyHatesJazz · 04-16-2026, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

The Best Team narrative in favor of OKC can even be questioned.

Technically, they have the best record. But only 2 games ahead of the 2nd best record - Spurs.

When you toss in the Head-to-Head this year (OKC loses 4 out of 5) vs. Spurs, how sure are we that OKC is even really the Best Team ?

Whose battle tested and who walked the walk? I'm talking about in comparison to the Spurs. Denver is tested and I'd even say they're more a threat to OKC than SA.

SA may be another year or two away from having any real playoff grit.

Brazenways · 04-25-2026, 10:41 PM

Second most efficient 40+ pt playoff game ever.

One more win to play playoff mode lebron.

livfreely · 04-25-2026, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazenways

Second most efficient 40+ pt playoff game ever.

One more win to play playoff mode lebron.

Wouldn’t they play Minnesota if they win, and the Spurs would get the Lakers?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Chris P · 04-25-2026, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livfreely

Wouldn’t they play Minnesota if they win, and the Spurs would get the Lakers?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No they'd play the Lakers next. There's no reseeding

cms11 · 04-26-2026, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoSoxFan1999

I have no qualms with people saying SGA's been the best player in the NBA the last 2 years. Also, I have 0 desire to collect any of his cards. Great basketball player, but that's about it.

He could win 10 titles and MVPs and I still wouldn't want his cards.

PLB9eight · 04-26-2026, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cms11

He could win 10 titles and MVPs and I still wouldn't want his cards.

Yet here you are

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

blackbears86 · 04-26-2026, 12:05 PM

I'm warming up to him.

He gets the calls (kind of like Harden got a few years back) but he's not afraid of contact and plays very efficiently.

He's likely getting his second MVP in a row and only the Spurs are holding him back from a second straight title, which is impressive territory.

04-16-2026, 12:30 PM	#1056
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 13,648 boxbuster777	Shai is great but his game isn't very dynamic. It is more calculated. And I think that is where the flipper boys kinda push back. That said he's had some big sales recently. __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

04-16-2026, 02:20 PM	#1058
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 13,648 boxbuster777	Just realized the OP spelled his name wrong haha __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

04-16-2026, 05:41 PM	#1059
JohnnyHatesJazz Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 8,178	Too Shai for everybody else! Hush em up! Let's build up that trophy case! __________________ PROUD TO BE HOBBY HARD! "No matter how big or how small your wood is, we're all in for a great time. Oh and it's James Wood not James Woods. He's an actor." JohnnyHatesJazz. 4/22/26

04-25-2026, 10:41 PM	#1061
Brazenways Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 427 brazenways	Second most efficient 40+ pt playoff game ever. One more win to play playoff mode lebron. __________________ IG: FlawlessCardCo

04-15-2026, 01:39 PM	#1051
Above the Rim Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 840	The Best Team narrative in favor of OKC can even be questioned. Technically, they have the best record. But only 2 games ahead of the 2nd best record - Spurs. When you toss in the Head-to-Head this year (OKC loses 4 out of 5) vs. Spurs, how sure are we that OKC is even really the Best Team ?

04-15-2026, 06:23 PM	#1053
Above the Rim Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 840	Yeah injuries can factor. Wembanyama himself missed a bunch of games due to injury, Spurs had to hold it together until their best player returned. When the 2 teams met Head-to-Head earlier this year, I forget how many players were out, but I think both teams were at relative full strength when they played each other about that early season Tournament time - Spurs beat them handily.

04-16-2026, 11:54 AM	#1054
spurs50fan Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 4,150	One of the things I'm surprised we haven't agreed upon is this supposed let down if a star goes out. We've seen it at least 5 times this year. These teams in the upper tier are built for adversity. They are great teams and organizations. These guys can still play and compete at a high level. Of course it's not the same but they can give any team hell, star or not during the regular season. Especially when so many teams are either tanking, mid or restructuring. So you can take the Thunder/Pistons/Spurs/Celtics and see the dropoff isn't that significant minus their major stars. But if talent loss is your consideration, Jaylen Brown is that guy this year.

04-16-2026, 12:09 PM	#1055
BoSoxFan1999 Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,192 Bro19999	I have no qualms with people saying SGA's been the best player in the NBA the last 2 years. Also, I have 0 desire to collect any of his cards. Great basketball player, but that's about it.

04-26-2026, 12:05 PM	#1066
blackbears86 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: maine Posts: 17,592 blackbears86	I'm warming up to him. He gets the calls (kind of like Harden got a few years back) but he's not afraid of contact and plays very efficiently. He's likely getting his second MVP in a row and only the Spurs are holding him back from a second straight title, which is impressive territory.