Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the right trajectory to finish his career as one of the better guards in league history. He just turned 27 years old in July, yet he already has a ring, MVP award, Finals MVP award and scoring title under his belt.
Ahead of his eighth season in the league, the reigning MVP and scoring champion set a high bar for how great he wants to be. He said that he wants to be better than Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant at some point.
“I pick up a basketball to be the best,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, via GQ Sports. “If you’re asking me if I want to be better than Kobe, of course I do. Whether I get there or not, we’ll find out.”
What’s interesting is that Gilgeous-Alexander arguably has a better resume through his age-26 season than Bryant did. Bryant didn’t win an MVP award until his age-29 season and had to wait until his age-30 season for his first Finals MVP award, yet Gilgeous-Alexander just won both in his age-26 campaign.
Gilgeous-Alexander also ranked tops in the league in points per game in his age-26 season, while Bryant had to wait until his age-27 to accomplish such a feat.
Ring count is one area where Bryant gets the edge when comparing their age-related accomplishments. Bryant already had three titles under his belt at Gilgeous-Alexander’s current age, though it’s worth noting he spent much of the early part of his career playing alongside a dominant big man in Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant also didn’t win a Finals MVP during L.A.’s 2000s three-peat.
It’s possible Gilgeous-Alexander would have more than one ring to his name by now had he kicked off his NBA career under similar circumstances.
Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to add to his ring count in the coming years. While no team has managed to repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2018, OKC might have the best chance to go back-to-back of any team in a while. The Thunder have tremendous star power and depth, and they’re on the heels of a dominant campaign.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s accolades in the coming years will be worth keeping tabs on as he continues to build his case as an all-time great guard.