During the most recent ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast episode, Tim Bontemps revealed an interesting anecdote during their Shai Gilgeous-Alexander segment.
When praising Gilgeous-Alexander, Bontemps revealed an NBA executive told him the only player who’s definitively been better than him this season is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
You could argue for other players in the league, but only Antetokounmpo is clearly better than Gilgeous-Alexander this season.
That’s quite the compliment to receive for the 24-year-old who hasn’t even made an All-Star game yet in his career.
“To put a bow on this real quick. An executive was texting me last night, watching the game. He said there’s only one player in the league right now that’s definitively been better, in his opinion, than Shai this season (and it’s) Giannis.”
In 15 games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points on 53.4 percent shooting, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds.