Legendary Pistons announcer George Blaha blasted the guard on the air during a loss to the Thunder on Wednesday. He emphatically denied Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as the best player in the league.
The evisceration came late in the midweek matchup with the game well in hand. The Thunder led 117-103 with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation.
Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up to the charity stripe looking to add to that lead. He’d do so with a pair of made free throws. All the while, Blaha was spewing negativity about the OKC star on the broadcast.
George Blaha on SGA
“He may be the MVP but he’s not the best player in the world. The Joker is the best player in the world.” pic.twitter.com/2bVVpCW4Fs
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) April 3, 2025
“A measly three assists for Gilgeous-Alexander and 10-of-26 shooting,” the announcer said. “He may be the MVP, but he’s not the best player in the world.”
Blaha insisted that Nikola Jokic deserved that title after winning the honor in three of the last four years. His reaction seemed to be sparked by MVP chants from the home crowd. Blaha took offense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 33 points in the win. He currently leads the league in scoring at 32.8 points per game. He’s also on pace to set a career-high in assists at 6.3 a night. This, coming a year after he was the MVP runner-up. It’s not been enough to impress Blaha!
SGA’s performance has helped position the Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference. At 64-12, they boast the best overall record in the NBA.
Detroit, meanwhile, is 43-34, and set to make a playoff appearance of their own. George Blaha has been there every step of the way.
The 80-year-old sportscaster has been on the call with the organization since 1976-77 season. He’s witnessed an incredible turnaround after watching the Pistons go 14-68 a year ago.
His outlook on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struck a nerve with a number of Thunder fans. Most viewed it as a salty reply following the double-digit loss. His criticism of the guard continued on after those free throw attempts.
Blaha wasn’t done. George can’t stand SGA’s crap. pic.twitter.com/0rdwecdyoE
— Jake Von Erich (@ThePalaceOfJake) April 3, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander is the overwhelming favorite at the sportsbooks to win the MVP award. His odds sat at -5000 earlier this week before Jokic went off for 61 points against the Timberwolves.
Still, he’s in the driver’s seat with most recent price listed at -4000. Jokic is the next in line at +1000.
With less than 10 games remaining on the schedule, the MVP race appears all but wrapped up. The award is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s to lose. Don’t tell that to George Blaha.