Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game translate to the All-Star game?

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to make his first appearance in the NBA All-Star game on Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conversation among the assembled media here in Salt Lake City has been a simple question, “How do you think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will do in the All-Star game? Does his game translate to the All-Star format?”

Many are skeptical that this highly efficient player that relies on making the right decisions to beat the defense in a game of chess will not translate to the NBA All-Star exhibition format. I would argue the opposite. I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will thrive in this All-Star game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to his first NBA All-Star game. Does his game translate to the exhibition?

Currently, the max contract point guard is averaging 30 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game while on the defensive end, swiping a steal and blocking a shot per tilt. Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting an incredible 50 percent from the floor on 20 attempts per game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also doubled his career high in dunks with nearly forty slams already at. the All-Star Break, and is shooting 63 percent from the rim, 47 percent from the mid-range, 48 percent from the short mid-range, and 45 percent from the long-mid-range.

For the max contract point guard who relentlessly gets to the rim with crafty moves, which include his improved ball handling and obvious length, and has added these jaw-dropping stop-on-a-dime mid-range jumpers that combine with his fall-away jumpers, and seemingly nightly spins around baseline bucket, what would not translate?

The defense gets worse, and at times non-existent, in this exhibition game, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be the best reserve on whichever team drafts him tonight.

He also has the personality to care and wants to put on a show on the floor tonight and off it with his eye-popping outfits.

I would guess Oklahoma City Thunder fans are in for a treat with how their star point guard will perform here in Salt Lake City, Utah, at his first NBA All-Star game.