Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gave Coldest Response When Asked Who His NBA Rivals Are

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave the coldest response when he was asked who he feels his NBA rivals are.

The 27-year-old has been on the roster of the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2019, after originally being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Thunder won the NBA Finals this year as Gilgeous-Alexander was crowned the NBA Finals MVP and the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

Gilgeous-Alexander became only the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP and a scoring title - by being the NBA's scoring champion - all in the same season, following in the footsteps of the likes of greats such as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made it clear who he feels his NBA rivals are. (Image: Getty)

At the start of July, it was reported and later confirmed the point guard agreed a new four-year contract extension with the Thunder worth a cool $285m and will keep him on the roster until the 2030-31 season.

It is said that the deal gives Gilgeous-Alexander the highest single-season average salary in the NBA's history.

Gilgeous-Alexander was once asked which other young stars in the NBA he feels are his main rivals.

But instead of reeling off names of those around his age, Gilgeous-Alexander instead turned to naming some of the NBA's legends who are still plying their trade, despite being several years older than him.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lebron James. (Image: Getty)

The Canadian said: "Nothing against the guys my age, but the guys I can’t wait to match up against are the LeBrons, the Steph Currys, the KDs (Kevin Durant), the James Hardens.

"The guys I grew up watching, that have completely stamped themselves on basketball forever, that have accomplished the things I want from the game.

"There’s no better test to see if I’m capable of accomplishing those things than going against those guys."

James has become an NBA champion on four occasions - twice with the Miami Heat, once with the Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Curry is also a four-time NBA champion, all of which have been achieved with the Golden State Warriors.

Durant won two NBA titles along with Curry while he was on the roster of the Warriors, while James Harden has not been an NBA champion, but has made the NBA's All-Star team on 11 occasions and was crowned the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2018.