Thunder: Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards debate disrespectful to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Despite entering the NBA playoffs as the youngest No. 1 seed ever, the OKC Thunder still managed to succeed as if they've been here before, claiming their second series sweep in franchise history following Monday's 97-89 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Yet, despite these historic feats, a large chunk of the NBA fanbase has their attentions set elsewhere, as many have been found in a heated discussion regarding who between the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant and Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards is more deserving of being crowned "face of the league."

To some, it's a bit premature to see Ja be succeeded by the T-Wolves superstar due to his lack of availability this season while others simply believe the Grizzlies guard proverbially fumbled the bag with his off-court troubles and, in turn, is deserving of being supplanted by Edwards.

As a result of all this commotion on social media, we at TI can't help but question one simple thing: Where the heck is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's name in this discussion?!

Ja Morant v Anthony Edwards debate a major slight at Thunder superstar

With his efforts during the 2023-24 campaign that drew comparisons to the legendary Michael Jordan, the young superstar once again proved to the masses why he is arguably the best all-around player the league currently has to offer and wrapped up the regular season posting averages of 30.1 points 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and just shy of a block while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from distance.

Currently, he finds himself spearheading the charge for the top-seeded Thunder en route to their first Western Conference Semifinals appearance of the post-Kevin Durant era while ranking fourth in defensive rating (91.8) and 10 in net rating (16.7) out of all starters during this year's playoffs.

On top of all this, SGA finds himself squarely in the running for this year's league MVP award, with some such as Chris Mannix already coming out and saying they've put his name down with their vote to win the award.

Yet, even with all these credentials and accomplishments attached to his name, Gilgeous-Alexander still doesn't qualify to be in the same conversation as Morant and Edwards?

Is it because he doesn't have the highlight-reel dunks that Ja has or that he's not as outspoken and charismatic as Ant?

Regardless of the matter, it's completely disrespectful to have a debate over who the face of the NBA is without putting the Thunder star into the discussion.

Without question, he's deserving of being looped in with these aformentioned ballers.