We might have a contender to steal LeBron James’ position as the aura king. And all it took was one incident with a retired player to confirm that. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might get all the hate in the world for being an alleged “free throw merchant”. But it seems like even the haters can’t deny his aura. What set the seal on the deal? Patrick Beverley giving his thoughts on an incident that went under the radar after OKC’s 128-126 Game 4 win over the Timberwolves.

Beverley and SGA have a storied history together- which just makes the incident all-the-more confusing. In the 2018–19 season, Beverley, a seasoned defensive guard, and Shai, a promising rookie, both played for the Clippers. Despite competing for the starting point guard position, Beverley took on a mentorship role, recognizing the kid’s potential early on. So when Bev came up to Shai to dap him up after a scintillating
Game 4 performance, the Canadian’s refusal caught the veteran off-guard. But why did the MVP refuse it in the first place? Turns out, it was due to Patrick wearing an Anthony Edwards Timberwolves jersey.

“So I’m gonna tell you about Shai, how cold Shai is. I go to Shai after the game to dap him up. He’s saying, “I can’t dap you up right now, OG.” What the f–k? “You got on that m——g jersey.” Jersey I had on was Anthony Edwards,” said Chicago native on the Pat Bev Podcast.

That’s not the way to treat your mentor, is it? But guess what- Patrick Beverley saw it as a sign of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bring locked in. This is exactly what he wanted to see from the young MVP on the ascendency. “I respect it, I like it. That’s how you have to be. I knew where it’s coming from. It’s coming from a good place, it’s coming from an organic place. He locked in. That’s what I took from that. Like, oh yeah, he locked the f–k in right now. I love it,” said Beverley on the podcast.

Unmatched aura. Even when the Thunder have a comfortable 3-1 lead over Minnesota, SGA has his eyes on the prize. And that’s exactly what you need from an MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander eyeing to take OKC Thunder to their maiden championship

The OKC franchise have technically won a championship, in 1979, back when they were the Seattle SuperSonics. But as the Thunder? It’s just one Conference title and one NBA Finals appearance. But it’s different this time. You got NBA veterans and analysts claiming this to be the best Thunder team of all time, and certainly the best defensive team of all time. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the centerpiece of the whole team.

He anyway leads the league in scoring at 32.7 points per game, while also averaging 6.4 assists, 5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and shooting 51.9% from the field—figures that underscore his two-way impact on both ends of the floor. His average of 6.1 assists shows how SGA excels in pick-and-roll action as both scorer and facilitator, creating secondary opportunities for teammates. But in defense? SGA ranks second in the NBA with a defensive rating of 107.4 among players logging over 2,000 minutes. And with him on the floor, the Thunder outscore opponents by +18.3 points per 100 possessions, the best differential in franchise history. Talk about being the difference.

Patrick Beverley loves it. In fact, this is the exact mentality he wants to see from every budding player looking to take over the mantle from the has-beens. It seems like it’s written in the stars for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder. Is this the year where they taste glory for the first time in nearly 50 years?