Before the Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers took a moment to reflect on the meteoric rise of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Rivers, who coached Gilgeous-Alexander during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, shared his thoughts on the player’s journey from promising prospect to MVP candidate. Per AP:
“I don’t think anybody in the world saw this in him,” Rivers admitted. “We did think he was going to be really, really good. I thought he was going to be a star. I said it when we traded him. But to see this, I don’t think anyone can honestly say they knew he was going to be this special.”
Rivers coached Gilgeous-Alexander during the 2018-19 season, where the rookie averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while starting 73 games. Despite his solid debut, the Clippers included him in a blockbuster trade package to acquire Paul George in the summer of 2019. The trade, which also helped the Clippers secure Kawhi Leonard in free agency, was seen as a win-now move for the franchise.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s development in Oklahoma City has far exceeded expectations. Now 26 years old, he is averaging an NBA-leading 33 points per game this season and has scored at least 20 points in 62 consecutive games. His all-around game, which includes 5.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, has made him a frontrunner for the league’s MVP award.
Rivers praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s poise and ability to control the pace of the game, traits that were evident even during his rookie year.
“The one thing I loved about him, the game has never gone fast for him,” Rivers said. “He’s always been able to play at a pretty good pace, and now he’s just getting better at it.”
The Thunder, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, currently sit atop the Western Conference standings with a 56-12 record. His performance this season has solidified his status as one of the league’s elite players and a cornerstone for Oklahoma City’s future.
As Rivers watched his former player lead the Thunder to a 121-105 victory over the Bucks, he couldn’t help but marvel at what Gilgeous-Alexander has become. For the Clippers, the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City remains a pivotal moment in franchise history—one that continues to spark debate about what might have been.
