The Oklahoma City Thunder got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer as a part of the trade that included Danilo Gallinari and Paul George. The Thunder also traded Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul, so Gilgeous-Alexander and Paul will likely split time at the point guard position.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 assists per game as a rookie for the Los Angeles Clippers last year. He came to Oklahoma City to be their future starting point guard, but he doesn’t like to be compared with Russell Westbrook.
“I am not Russell Westbrook,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We don’t have the same name, the same body type, nothing like that. So I’m going to try to be myself and be the best me, and everything else will take care of itself. Regardless of the situation, I’m going to continue to work hard and play my game. I know that eventually, it will come out and things like that. I don’t worry about starting. I don’t worry about accolades or anything like that. I just work hard, keep my head down and be true to who I am.”
“I am not Russell Westbrook. We don’t have the same name, same body type, nothing like that.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to make a name for himself in OKC https://t.co/7iG8qYGcgo
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) August 23, 2019
Gilgeous-Alexander is excited for the opportunity to learn from a nine-time All-Star point guard in Chris Paul.
“Some of the things I like to keep a secret,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from him in terms of thinking the game, angles, things like that. He’s obviously a really good player. He’s been a really good player for a really long time, and a guy that I looked up to growing up. I’ll continue to learn from him as long as I get to.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is also happy to play with center Steven Adams, rather than against him.
“Honestly, he was very annoying,” he said. “His screens are rock — very annoying to get over. Having him on my side of the playing field will be a lot better this year.”
