The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone the extra mile to build more than a roster; they’ve built a team.
You can tell how much the players like one another and enjoy each other’s company.
Even those who end up being traded or leaving are embraced with open arms when they meet again.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear-cut leader of this team, and even though he’s emerged as a two-way superstar and an MVP candidate, he’s still an approachable, down-to-earth guy.
That’s why Chet Holmgren wanted to give him his flowers.
Talking after their win vs. the Los Angeles Clippers, the lanky star praised Gilgeous-Alexander for being humble, also talking about how character is such a big deal for the organization (via Tomer Azarly & ClutchPoints):
“I think it speaks volumes to the type of organization that we have from the top down. If you’re not a good person, you don’t end up playing for the Thunder and he’s a testament to that,” Holmgren said.
Chet Holmgren on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being humble and approachable:
"I think it speaks volumes to the type of organization that we have from the top down. If you're not a good person, you don't end up playing for the Thunder and he's a testament to that."
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/6sQ3gAmTwI
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 3, 2024
Sam Presti deserves all the credit in the world for the talented roster he’s put together.
Coach Mark Daigneault should also get his flowers, as he’s developed them and made sure to keep them all on the same page.
Of course, there’s a clear pecking order there, but even if Shai is the star of the team, there’s no ego or agenda there.
Anybody can chip in and have a big game on any given night, and the Thunder have been one of the best teams in the league for a while now.
They’re still young, but led by a more mature Gilgeous-Alexander, it seems like this might be the year they finally take a big leap forward.
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