OKC Thunder takeaway No.2) Shai continues to show his all-around skillset
I would be remiss not to point out SGA’s 33-point performance on the night, but what is more impressive is the way the Thunder guard continues to show his ability to distribute the basketball in the pick and roll game.
Defenses will always be laser-focused on SGA due to his ability to drive to the rim. He can contort and slice his way to the cup with such ease that when it comes time for the next possession opposing teams do not want to allow him to make them look silly on multiple possessions.
Enter the pick and roll. This part of the game takes a while to develop when it comes to younger players, but Gilgeous-Alexander has seemed to figure out how to perfect this part of his craft as the season has progressed.
Once he has become comfortable with individual players, it seems as though he knows exactly where his teammates will be at that exact moment in time. I spotted multiple occasions where SGA made a smooth bounce pass to Isaiah Roby as Spurs’ defenders tried to collapse on him.
This situation is just one example of how Gilgeous-Alexander keeps the defense honest because once they overcommit, he will make them pay every time.
Below is an excellent example of Shai finding Roby as he makes a substantial cut to the basket.
👀 those bounces passes...@shaiglalex ↘️ @roby_isaiah pic.twitter.com/gh0thjkR96
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 5, 2021
Shai was also instrumental in the OKC Thunder comeback as this game had 11 lead changes by the 4th quarter, and not only that, Shai helped spark two huge runs, each over four-minute periods.
Once in the third quarter, OKC went on a 15-2 run, and to finish the game SGA helped facilitate a 14-2 run to close out the Spurs and lead this OKC team to victory.
Shai scored 13 of his 33 in the third period, and this was his second consecutive game scoring more than 30 points against San Antonio. He has averaged 31 points against the Spurs during the year.
It has indeed been a treat to watch. Look for this play to continue during the second half of the season.