Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's steady, expectation-defying development into the MVP has been staggering to Thunder fans. I recently saw the Shai/Paul George trade compared to the Yankees' acquisition of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox, by a non-Thunder fan. Both his brilliance and the sudden, mildly surprising heel turn he's taken as a "foul merchant" outside of OKC, have been increasingly loud as these playoffs have progressed. Gilgeous-Alexander has gone from an MVP underdog to an inevitable, star heel to fans dumbstruck by how dominant the young Thunder look. It's hard to blame them for crying "He's a witch!" when Shai throws foul artistry (the salty but accurate term David Adelman used in a backhanded compliment to Shai last round) into his unfair mix of shooting, distributing, and finishing.
Shai Is The NBA's Next Big Thing
