The NBA’s most unstoppable driver is one adjustment away from defensive invincibility. Discover how increased three-point volume could unlock a new level of dominance for Oklahoma City’s MVP.
When you’re talking about the reigning MVP and arguably the best player in basketball, it’s hard to find anything to criticize.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already built one of the most complete offensive games in the NBA. He can get to the rim whenever he wants, punish defenders in the mid-range, create contact, and make the right play when defenses throw multiple bodies at him. Every night, opposing teams know exactly what’s coming, and most of the time they still can’t stop it.
So where does he go from here?
As strange as it sounds, there may still be one part of his game that has room to grow: his willingness to shoot more three pointers.
Notice the key word there, more.
This isn’t about changing who he is or asking him to become Stephen Curry overnight. The Thunder don’t need him taking 10 or 12 threes every game.
What has made him so dominant is that he never forces the action. He plays at his own pace, waits for defenses to make a mistake and then makes them pay for it.
That’s exactly why his game has been so difficult to figure out.
But imagine if he simply became a little more aggressive when defenses dared him to shoot from deep.
Right now, teams still feel more comfortable going under screens every now and then because they know he would rather attack the paint than settle for a three. That’s not a knock on his jumper, it’s just a reflection of how confident he is in getting to his favorite spots.
If that balance shifts even a little, it could completely change how defenses approach him.
Defenders would have to meet him farther from the basket. Help defenders couldn’t cheat into the lane as often.
Those extra few feet of space would only make life easier for Gilgeous-Alexander when he decides to drive, and that’s a frightening thought considering he’s already one of the league’s best finishers.
It would also make things easier for everyone around him.
The Thunder thrive on ball movement and spacing. When he draws two defenders, someone is usually left open. If defenses become even more concerned about his three point shot, players like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and the rest of Oklahoma City’s shooters are going to see even cleaner looks.
The scary part is this isn’t some unrealistic idea. Gilgeous-Alexander has shown he can knock down threes at an efficient rate. It’s simply a matter of taking advantage of them a little more often when they’re there.
That’s what the NBA’s greats do. They never stop looking for ways to improve, even when they’re already sitting at the top of the league.
The crazy part is the Thunder don’t need him to make this leap. They already have one of the best players in the world leading a championship contender.
But if he decides to add just a little more volume from beyond the arc, the rest of the NBA might have an even bigger problem on its hands.
For a player who already seems impossible to guard, that’s saying something.
