Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Rumors

As he spoke and the speaker above cut in and out, Gilgeous-Alexander balanced between a player who knows he belongs and one who understands he has plenty to learn. “I am not Russell Westbrook,” Gilgeous-Alexander said with no malice. “I do not have the same name, same body type, stuff like that. So, I’m just going to try to be myself and be the best me and everything else will take care of itself. “I’m just a basketball player. Regardless of the situation, I’m going to continue to work hard and play my game. I know that eventually it will come out. I don’t worry about starting. I’m not worried about accolades or things like that. I just work hard, keep my head down and (stay) true to who I am.”

As Oklahoma City nears a rebuild, the hope is that Gilgeous-Alexander will be an integral part of whatever rises from its teardown, the first foundational piece of the Thunder’s next era. These are new expectations for him. He seemed on Thursday as unfazed by them as by that PA call for Ms. Harrington. “I am not Russell Westbrook,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, whose easy demeanor with reporters underscored the point. “We do not have the same name, same body type, nothing like that. I’m just gonna try to be myself and be the best me. Everything else will take care of itself.”