Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ‘consistent’ life helps shape MVP performance

After Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made history after an 8-0 start after Tuesday’s win against the Los Angeles Clippers, Thunder head coach Mark Daigno revealed his thoughts on how. Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player in NBA history to combine for 250 points and 80 assists to lead his team to an 8-0 record, Oklahoma City’s best start in his team’s history.

After the win, Daigneault addressed Gilgeous-Alexander discipline and daily routine as the basis for the grounded approach of the reigning league MVP, who led the Thunder to the best record in the NBA.

“When it comes to his consistency, I always think about his work. His work is so consistent. His life is so consistent in terms of his routine,” Daigneault said. “Everything his life revolves around is his family and being the best basketball player he can be. And he lives that every day. So when the lights are on and you guys see consistent performance, it’s backed up by consistent, disciplined practice.”

“So it’s no accident that he’s as dynamic a player as he is. That he’s molded into that player. He had 12 assists tonight.”

Finding his teammates early and often in stifling zone defenses throughout the first half, Gilgeous-Alexander found his offensive rhythm in the third quarter, scoring 18 of his 30 points before the final frame. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised SGA for its leadership.

“I thought the way he started the game set a great tone in terms of our ball movement tonight,” Daigneault added. “I thought we moved the ball all night. But I thought his floor game was going to start the game, and we didn’t have the offense, and he didn’t get the offense going, and he just stuck with it. He set a great tone for the team, and it set a great tone for him.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander humbly accepts the Thunder’s dynasty talk

When a reporter asked the All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on potential Thunder dynastyhe replied that his team is doing its best to realize the opportunity it faces as the defending champion. Although the Thunder haven’t lost since Game 6 of last year’s NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander realizes it’s a very long way to compete for another title.

“We understand the opportunity in front of us, and, to sum it up, we’re just trying to attack it every day,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “No matter where we are, whatever we’ve achieved, whatever we haven’t achieved, whether we’ve won or lost, we’re just trying to get better and I think that’s the formula that’s helped us get to where we are today.”

The Thunder will face the Trail Blazers on Wednesday with a chance to extend their winning streak to 9-0.