Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is absolutely stealing the spotlight this 2024-25 NBA season. He’s driven the Oklahoma City Thunder all the way to the NBA Finals and is showcasing his incredible talent against the Indiana Pacers.
His phenomenal play has even led Lou Williams to draw parallels between SGA and the iconic Kobe Bryant. On a recent episode of the Night Cap podcast, Williams enthusiastically noted how Gilgeous-Alexander’s early performances in the Finals remind him of Bryant’s legendary style. However, it wasn’t all praise, as Gary Payton delivered a sharp rebuttal to that comparison.
“Nowhere near Kobe man,theres going to be one Kobe thats it. Its only one Kobe, dont yall compare people to people especially somebody like Kobe Bryant. Let Shai be Shai, i dont think hes Kobe yet, i dont think he’ll ever be Kobe,” Payton said.
Gary Payton on Lou Williams comparing Shai to Kobe:
— TheTruth (@Thetruth8240) June 14, 2025
"Nowhere near Kobe man,theres going to be one Kobe thats it. Its only one Kobe, dont yall compare people to people especially somebody like Kobe Bryant. Let Shai be Shai, i dont think hes Kobe yet, i dont think he'll ever be… pic.twitter.com/CxwZHbDxfQ
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Gilgeous-Alexander received the prestigious NBA Most Valuable Player award. He also topped the league in scoring, averaging an impressive 32.7 points per game.
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 4 Recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines Bright
The Oklahoma City Thunder recently played Game 4 of their NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance, playing for 40 minutes and scoring 35 points along with three rebounds.
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Jalen Williams also contributed significantly, playing for 36 minutes and scoring 27 points, three assists, and seven rebounds. Chet Holmgren made a notable impact by recording a double-double with 14 points, one assist, and 15 rebounds. These strong efforts helped the Thunder secure a 111-104 victory over the Pacers. The Thunder will play Game 5 of the series at Paycom Center.
Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reveals Deep Admiration For Kobe Bryant With Strong Message
