Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is inching closer to winning his first title. He’s already won the MVP and his play has made him comparable to two of the greatest players in NBA history.
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Former NBA great Tracy McGrady recently appeared on The Old Man and the Three podcast. He compared SGA to Jordan and Kobe.
“I think he’s incredible. I think I’m not saying he’s bringing it back. But because he’s the MVP of the league, I think he’s really put a spotlight on: you ain’t gotta shoot all these threes. We don’t have to shoot all these threes.
“We can get here in the in-between game and make something happen when the game gets tough. I could play around the free-throw line and get to my spot. I don’t have to get here, create anything off the dribble to shoot a three.
“Like, he’s playing basketball the way Kobe played it, the way MJ played it. In-between game is what I see from Shai. And he’s surrounded by shooters, so if he could get to his spots and that’s why he really didn’t have too many bad games, because he’s not settling for threes.”
"He's incredible… He's playing basketball the way Kobe [Bryant] played it, the way [Michael Jordan] played it. In between game is what I see from Shai… He's not settling for threes."
Tracy McGrady on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ????
(via @OldManAndThree)pic.twitter.com/uEShdyyxjE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 16, 2025
McGrady is correct. Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t settle for threes like most other players. He uses the midrange game to his advantage. This is similar to how Jordan and Kobe played.
If the Thunder win the championship this year, SGA will likely win the Finals MVP. This will be another comparable achievement to Jordan and Kobe.
