I’m starting to doubt the validity of the “Point Guard” designation that has been heretofore applied to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The idea of having a tall PG is something that all NBA general managers like the sound of, and for obvious reasons. Who wouldn’t want a small forward-sized guy with PG skills terrorizing the midgets that opposing teams are running out there? That was the whole reason a total stiff like Ivan Chiriaev got so hyped all those years ago.
“The NBA wants Ivan Chiriaev. The NBA needs Ivan Chiriaev” – Ivan Chiriaev
Such is the theory with SGA. But the more I see of him, the more I think that he’s just a pure shooting guard with some extra bonus ball-handling and passing ability. That’s not a bad thing, it just means that he’s more of a sometimes PG for when you want a different look than a full-time ball monopolizer PG.
That particular role goes to Chris Paul, who now shares a roster with Gilgeous-Alexander. And what we are seeing so far as a result of that tandem is five total assists for SGA compared to 54 total points. Small sample size, sure, and he made some nice dishes in this game (which you don’t get to see because only four assists would taint the fun-ness of his career-high scoring night), but trends seen in small sample sizes often turn into trends seen in large sample sizes. It happens all the time.
Good news is, his scoring game looks really sick to start off the season. He set a career-high in his Thunder debut, and just like Devonte’ Graham, proceeded to get another one in his second game. He’s scoring in all different ways, with lots of funky jumpers and funky finishes. Really quality stuff, and with the way he’s scoring, should he even be looking to pass anyway? Chris Paul can handle the passing, and no one else on the roster (save Danilo Gallinari, maybe) seems to have the scoring ability that SGA does.