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OKC Thunder: All Star selection a tall task for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

By Lawrence George

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on March 18, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on March 18, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before his game against the Adelaide 36ers at Paycom Center on October 06, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) /

Missing time due to injury or rest

Although the past two seasons have been dedicated to a full-scale rebuild, Gilgeous-Alexander has missed time due to various ailments. In 2020-21, he missed 37 games due to plantar fasciitis then missed 26 games last season due to ankle injuries.

Coming into the 2022-23 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a game-time decision to play in the opener due to his Grade 2 MCL sprain. Additionally, Oklahoma City won’t rush him back unless he is 100 percent and will use it as an opportunity to develop. Most teams play 58 or 59 games before the All-Star break and the cut-off (generally speaking) is 20 games missed.

Given how big his workload is with this team and the amount of attention he will receive from defenses, Gilgeous-Alexander will inevitably receive bumps and bruises. This may force the OKC Thunder to rest him more often, especially on back-to-backs.

The competition is hot for All Start spots in the Western Conference, and I just don’t see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcoming the Thunder’s record, the media, and the potential games missed. Oklahoma City will be a bottom-10 team this season and hunting for a top three-pick in 2023.

With all of these factors in mind, I would be surprised if he earned a selection as he would need a lot of things to break his way.

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