The Oklahoma City Thunder were well represented at NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Organization sent a trio of players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams, to participate in All-Star events. The OKC Thunder team bond was on full display in Utah.
On Friday, Josh Giddy and Jalen Williams were playing in the Jordan Rising Stars challenge and were both selected by Joakim Noah to team up in the event. And as they performed on the big stage on Friday, their teammate and NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were sitting courtside.
The Oklahoma City Thunder sent three players to the NBA All-Star weekend, and the chemistry of the OKC Thunder team was on full display.
At the NBA All-Star weekend, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed up courtside to watch the rising stars challenge and support Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams. Both of the youngest commented about how important it was to them that their team’s best player took the time to be there.
I asked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander how important it was to him to be there for Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey yesterday at rising stars then asked him about Giddey’s coat, he said simply “beautiful” pic.twitter.com/Zne9JeoJsq
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 18, 2023
When I asked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander about why he felt it was so important to show up for them, SGA told me, “Those are my brothers. Above all, they are at a point in their career where support helps. And I really just wanted to see them play basketball. Usually, I am playing with them.”
Then, On Sunday night, Jalen Williams returned the favor and showed up courtside for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wearing SGA’s All-Star jersey. While the Thunder All-Star only played ten minutes, it was still awesome to see the team continue to support each other.
When the max contract point guard was asked about the rookie wearing his All-Star jersey in the stands on Sunday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander called Jalen Williams his “little brother.'”
SGA on Jalen Williams wearing his jersey tonight: pic.twitter.com/gba9OivHL0
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) February 20, 2023
Along with these in-person interactions, there were a plethora of social media posts throughout the weekend of the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder roster supporting their representatives in Utah.
While you can easily overlook this, I think these moments are signs of why this team is built for success in the future.
From our experience being around the OKC Thunder, it feels as though the connection on and off the floor is genuine, which is a great sign when you factor in they are all around the same age, in line for contracts around the same time, and have built an offensive system predicated on chemistry, ball movement, and being unselfish.
This is a fun, young, and exciting team currently holding a postseason spot heading into their first game out of the All-Star Break; the ending of this season will be nothing short of interest.