OKLAHOMA CITY -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wants to temper expectations. Maybe that is understandable.
He is preparing to step into the point guard position Russell Westbrook held for 11 years for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 assists as a rookie for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. He joined the Thunder in the deal that sent All-Star Paul George to the Clippers.
He has a massive hole to help fill. Westbrook was the 2017 NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion, two-time All-Star MVP and two-time assist leader who averaged a triple-double the past three seasons with the Thunder before he was traded to the Houston Rockets this summer.