Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder are four games away from winning the NBA championship, stamping their place as one of the greatest teams ever after an incredible regular season.
SGA won MVP in a landslide and led the league in scoring, although he will be the first to say that none of that matters unless the Thunder can win their first title in franchise history.
While winning the Finals is a team accomplishment, SGA could join three other legendary players this summer.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander operates with the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin defends at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Dec. 26, 2024.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander operates with the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin defends at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Dec. 26, 2024.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
With a title, Gilgeous-Alexander would join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, Shaquille O'Neal in 2000, and Michael Jordan four times as the only player to take home MVP, a scoring title, and a Finals win.
Critically, SGA doesn't have to win Finals MVP to join the elusive company, although he is the betting favorite to win the Bill Russell award.
After being traded to the Thunder in the ill-fated Paul George trade, Gilgeous-Alexander spent a season in OKC working alongside Chris Paul, who has become one of the best mentors in the NBA in the twilight of his career.
The Thunder have not made the Finals since 2012 and have never won. While Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant had impressive careers in Oklahoma City, winning a title is an easy way to cement yourself as an all-time great.
If Kawhi Leonard can be in the running for greatest Toronto Raptor ever after propelling them to the 2019 NBA Finals, SGA has a pretty clear-cut case if he can bring Oklahoma its first major sports title.