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"The face of the NBA comes with other s**t, it ain't just awards" - Nick Young explains why Shai Gilgeous Alexander isn't the face of the NBA
"The face of the NBA comes with other s**t, it ain't just awards" - Nick Young explains why Shai Gilgeous Alexander isn't the face of the NBA originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The 2024-25 season has been nothing short of spectacular for Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Not only did he lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and win the league MVP by topping the charts in scoring, but he also guided his team to the NBA Finals by overcoming formidable opponents like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. It has become clear that he has positioned himself as one of the leading faces of the NBA. However, former NBA player Nick Young doesn't see it that way.
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According to him, despite SGA's success, the Thunder's brand of basketball - and Shai's own aura - still comes off as 'boring,' making it hard for fans to feel compelled to tune in regularly.
Nick Young denies SGA being the face of the NBA
Even with Nikola Jokic, himself a three-time MVP, posting another historic season, SGA's consistent offensive brilliance stole the spotlight. He led the entire league in 20, 30, 40, and 50-point games during the regular season and ultimately captured the MVP trophy. His postseason consistency only added to his case, as he steered the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade.
Still, Young remains unconvinced. Despite Gilgeous Alexander's dominance, the three-time All-Star, in Young's opinion, lacks the charismatic pull that draws fans in droves. For Young, SGA's quiet demeanor and OKC's low-profile market presence don't align with what people typically associate with the 'face of the league.'
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"He's ballin'. I'm not saying he's not ballin'," Young said on the 'Gil's Arena' show. "I'm not denying his talent. But the face of the NBA comes with other sh*t it ain't just awards… it's boring. OKC is boring. The NBA Finals is boring. If it was (the actual) face, everybody would be happy to tune in to watch that sh*t. KD - people are happy to watch him. You have to play him against ni**as people want to see. I'm tryna say it's not exciting."
SGA needs to do more to be the face of the NBA
There's no denying that Shai's performance this season has earned him a spot among the league's elite and that his All-NBA First Team selection is entirely justified. But individual excellence alone doesn't always suffice in the broader conversation about superstardom. To truly transcend and capture the imagination of the basketball world, a player must deliver moments that elevate the sport - and leading this young Thunder squad to a championship would do just that.
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While it may seem harsh that the 2018 NBA champ instantly dismissed the 6'6" shooting guard case despite having a historical campaign, the pressure is now on Shai to silence his critics. With the Thunder losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals in a heartbreaking fashion, the path to greatness or certified stardom will now depend on how he pulls himself together and plays even higher in the forthcoming games.
Related: Kevin Garnett discusses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic's unexpected rise to stardom: "The most underrated under-the-radar players"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
