Stephen A Smith, known for his controversial comments and takes, has made another statement. His recent comments about Shai-Gilgeous Alexander are no exception. Just a few days ago, Smith advocated for SGA as the rightful MVP over Luka Doncic. But now, the analyst has taken a turn on his own comments criticizing Gilgeous-Alexander’s inability to elevate his Oklahoma City Thunder as a whole in the playoffs.

The Thunder were the number 1 seed in the Western Conference. As they face the Mavs in the Conference Semi-finals, Shai’s been the scoring machine for OKC. He averaged 32 points on a sizzling 61% shooting in the last four games. However, the main point is the rest of the team hasn’t kept up with the pace. The second-leading scorer?

A surprising Jalen Williams at a modest 15.5 points per game. This lack of performance from the rest of the teammates has made Smith question SGA’s leadership skills. The MVP is normally given to the player with the most impact in the regular season. Statistical dominance and individual brilliance play a significant role. But people also consider playoff success in the conversation. Even Smith said, “Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is special. He is doing his thing, but the surrounding others aren’t capitalizing on it and aren’t maximizing the potential.”

But it gets more interesting. Smith was a vocal proponent for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the MVP race. He promoted SGA’s phenomenal season, highlighting his league-leading scoring efficiency and his role as the engine driving the young Thunder squad. So, what changed?

A deep dive into Shai-Gilgeous Alexander’s leadership question going into question

Smith, who initially termed SGA as MVP for the season, was averaging 30.1 ppg. in the regular season. SGA was also involved in 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The narrative of Smith might’ve been based on SGA’s individual brilliance, but the current situation forced him to change his opinion.

Luka, during the regular season, averaged 33.9 points per game. Doncic also averaged 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Smith acknowledged Doncic’s leadership skills by saying, “Look at the effect of Luka’s greatness on the rest of the Dallas Mavericks. Because when we talk about greatness, one of the things we talk about it is not just about what you do. It’s how you serve to galvanize the surrounding troops to get the most out of them.”

Doncic was unstoppable in the regular season, however, he has struggled in the OKC series. The difference is that he has forced his teammates to step up. The Mavs weren’t as dominant as the Thunder in the regular season, but they are showcasing a more well-rounded team effort in the semi-finals.

Thunder’s performance has raised questions. Is SGA a reliable leader? Is he able to churn the best out of his teammates? Or should the lack of a proven secondary scorer be attributed to their rebuilding process?

There is no answer yet, but the young OKC Thunder squad could interpret this as a wake-up call. Playoff success often requires more than just one superstar.

Stephen A Smith’s contradictory viewpoint might be a bit jarring, but it highlights the multifaceted nature of basketball greatness. Individual dominance is important, but the ability to maximize the team’s potential as a whole is a hallmark of a true leader. OKC is currently trailing by a game in the series, but it would be fascinating to watch them in the rest of the series.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership development potentially plays a pivotal role in their quest for glory.