Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett Praises OKC Guard

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the 11th seed in the Western Conference. They are only three games away from the 4th seed. A huge part of their success has been the outstanding play of their young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. So much so, that Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is praising the OKC guard.

In last night's game against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets, Gilgeous-Alexander showed out. He posted a cool 34 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists on an efficient 62% shooting and came out with the win. Regarding the stat line, Garnett gave his thoughts, tweeting out that "those are MVP-type numbers in a normal year." He also added that "these young guys are gonna do the league right, we good."

Those are MVP type numbers in a normal year that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is puttin up in OKC… and it’s high IQ and efficient than a mf!

These young guys are gonna do the league right. We good…
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) January 23, 2023

For the season, the 24-year-old OKC star guard is averaging 30.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists a game. SGA has constantly improved each of his first five seasons in the league. Surprisingly, he has not had any accolades, possibly due to the team's poor record over the years. Although, he could be due for an All-Star game appearance, which would be his first.

SHAI HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS 🥶@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/gkXFYZ240N
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) January 23, 2023

As for the MVP-type numbers that Garnett mentioned, SGA has a little more to do to get into that conversation. Currently, the Canadian is in ninth on the Kia NBA MVP ladder. If he can get his team into the top six seeds in the Western Conference, he would definitely be a serious candidate to win the award.

The Thunder have a great young core of players and their second-overall pick, Chet Holmgren, has yet to touch the court. In 2021, SGA signed a 5-year extension with OKC which allows the team to grow and gives them hope to be at the top of the ranks sooner than later. If anyone knows about MVP caliber, it is Garnett, who won the award in the 2003-2004 season, so giving the young OKC guard credit for his play is not surprising.