INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and … [+] Western Conference All-Stars reacts in the fourth quarter against the Eastern Conference All-Stars during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
As regular season games across the league were put on pause over the weekend, NBA All-Star festivities took place in Indianapolis. It was a three-day event filled with a variety of activities which allowed fans around the world to see some of the current best players in the NBA along with the next wave of future stars.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had five players who participated in NBA All-Star events this weekend. While the performance of each player in their respective competitions was impressive, what was more interesting about the weekend was the bigger picture themes surrounding the Thunder.
It’s become increasingly clear just how much respect this Oklahoma City team is getting from its peers around the league. Both in terms of the expectations for the team overall as well as the way some of the individual players on the roster are viewed, this weekend confirmed the official arrival of this young squad.
Perhaps the headline comment related to the Thunder during the break came from LeBron James, who was asked which young players could be the next to carry the torch once his time in the NBA comes to an end. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was one of four players the 39-year-old thought of when considering who could be the next face of the league. Steph Curry was asked a similar question ahead of All-Star practice on Saturday, who also mentioned the Thunder’s 25-year-old star as a player who could be a face of the league when this current generation moves on.
Former Thunder great Kevin Durant was asked the same question, who gave great perspective into how he thinks about the players who define a generation.
“I think each era has about six or seven guys that help carry the game forward, help push the game forward,” said Durant. “There’s more than just one or two guys. You look around the league — I’m going to miss a lot of guys, but you see Shai, Ant, Book, Luka, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton. There are so many guys inspiring the next generation of hoopers after them to become basketball players that you can’t just pinpoint it to one or two guys.”
Given Gilgeous-Alexander is the face of the franchise in OKC, the credit he has received from players around the league validates just how special he is. This is why he was voted an All-Star starter, which required players around the league, the media and fans to vote him into that situation. His impact on the game transcends what he does on the court, as he’s a fashion icon and international star. Not only does he have a tremendous fanbase in the United States and Canada, but globally as well.
It’s often difficult to conceptualize how big of a star a rising player like Gilgeous-Alexander is when he’s inside of his own market’s bubble. He’s obviously a favorite of Thunder fans — as well as Canadian fans with what he’s been able to do for his home country in international play — but he truly has become one of the most popular players in the NBA. This was validated on several occasions this weekend, even from a media interview standpoint as he was on a standalone podium in his own room following All-Star practice, which was something only seven total players were given.
“For sure,” said the Thunder guard when asked if he can feel himself becoming a bigger star in this league. “It’s something that I expected to happen as I got better as a basketball player. It comes with it. I’ve been dreaming about this moment and this point in my career. I know what comes with it.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has partnered with some of the biggest brands in the world and participated in several fan engagement events in Indianapolis this weekend. Not only was his face all over NBA marketing material throughout the city, but thousands of fans lined up for photo and autograph opportunities.
Even with him being catapulted into superstar status and emerging as someone with the potential to be a face of the league for the next decade on a contending team, Gilgeous-Alexander is focused on the present and having patience in the process.
“I honestly try to stay very present, try to stay in the moment, not look too far ahead, not look back and kind of just take advantage of every moment, whether it’s me working or it’s me just being grateful for where I am today,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on Saturday. “I try to just stay in the moment, and it’s worked out pretty good thus far. So I try to continue to do so.”
Moving forward, there’s no question that the Thunder has one of the brightest futures in the NBA. Oklahoma City has a high upside trio, depth and plenty of assets to continue improving the roster. After hearing from players at NBA All-Star weekend, it’s clear that there’s a mutual agreement around the league that Gilgeous-Alexander has the chance to become a face of the league en route to winning championships in OKC in the near future.
