Considered by many to be the favorite for the MVP trophy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows that there is only one real flaw in his game: the 3-point shot. His mechanics are slow, and he needs to have his feet in the cement to shoot. A bit like Magic Johnson 30-40 years ago, who wasn't a great outside shooter either.
But the Thunder leader decided to change things, and after three matches, he has already taken 26 shots from distance, or almost eight per game. This is more than double last season: 3.6 shots on average.
Last night, against the Hawks, he scored a decent 3 out of 8 from 3-point range, and clearly, there is the desire to shoot more and more from distance. “It’s annoying” he answers about some missed open shots. “You obviously want to make all your shots, but that’s part of the process. Success is not linear, I'm sure you've heard that many times. I know there will be ups and downs. I also know how hard I work. »
Back to basics to knock out the Hawks
What we saw was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capable of taking 3-pointers after a dribble, or off the screen, and defenses will have to adapt to this new threat. “During the entire training camp, he didn’t miss these shots” assures Chet Holmgren. “I have confidence that they will come back. »
While waiting for it to hit the mark more regularly, it was at mid-distance and going to the circle that “SGA” cracked the Hawks last night. Six points in a row, then the good pass for Lu Dort, to launch a 13-0 which will knock out Zaccharie Risacher and his teammates. A long shot then a dunk to give an 18-point lead, and the Thunder leader can join the bench for good with an impressive stat line: 35 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, but also 3 blocks and 3 interceptions. Above all, OKC has still not lost this season.
