Though recent buzz suggests the OKC Thunder as a collective are underappreciated and somewhat disrespected among players league-wide, their cornerstone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is far from a recipient of such a treatment.
Considered by many to be the front-runner for this year's MVP award, the superstar is amid easily his best year yet in the association, as he's dropping a new career high in points with a league-leading average of 32.7 to go along with 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 52.5 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent from distance.
With every game played, Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be adding new supporters for his chase for the Michael Jordan Trophy. Following Wednesday's bout against the Celtics, it appears he may have officially recruited Jaylen Brown.
Jaylen Brown heaps praise upon Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
During their primetime matchup against the reigning champions, the 26-year-old put on an absolute clinic, showing off his smooth ball handling skills, elite scoring acumen, and defensive versatility en route to a 34 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 block performance and a playoff-clinching 118-112 victory for the Thunder.
Following the contest, Brown -- a direct victim of one of SGA's most impressive ankle-breakers of the season -- couldn't help but heap praise upon the guard for his sensational on-court abilities, summing him up with a short yet strong three-word descriptor: "That boy's good!"
"I'm a big fan of his game. [He's] shifty, crafty around the basket, knows how to use his body well, draws fouls. He's been hitting the three-ball well... He's a tough cover. He's been playing some good basketball. You got to tip your cap," Brown said.
Amid his praise-filled assessment of the Thunder centerpiece, Brown admitted that even he, an established All-Star and Finals MVP, is in awe of Gilgeous-Alexander's game, as he noted that he's "definitely" someone that "you watch and study," not just to prepare for future matchups but, simply, to get better.
Not only is the star guard a stat-sheet stuffer, but he's also one of the most positively impactful players the game currently has to offer.
Outside of his surface-level box score accomplishments, Gilgeous-Alexander finds himself ranking within the upper echelon of some of the league's most crucial advanced metrics, including net rating (No. 1 in the NBA with 16.6), plus-minus (No. 1 with +12.0), win shares (No. 1 with 14.2), and defensive rating (No. 2 among starters who have played 40 or more games with 104.5).
With 16 games remaining on the regular season docket, the Thunder stud will likely look to continue to produce at such high levels and further the gap between him and his direct challenger for MVP, Nikola Jokic.
Though players like Jaylen Brown may not be eligible to vote for end-of-season awards, considering his post-game remarks, it would appear Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at least has his support.