Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on a trajectory similar to LeBron James, winning his first MVP in Year 7 and potentially his first two NBA titles in Years 7 and 8. As the best player remaining in the playoffs, he faces James in a pivotal series.
Key points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP in Year 7.
LeBron James won his first two MVPs in Years 6 and 7.
Gilgeous-Alexander could win his first two NBA titles in Years 7 and 8.
James is 14 years older than Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander is currently the best player remaining in the playoffs.
Mentioned in this story
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderLeBron JamesNikola Jokic
ThunderNuggets
LeBron James won his first two MVPs in Years 6 and 7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP in Year 7, and heās about to win another in Year 8.
James won his first two NBA titles in Years 9 and 10. If the Thunder repeats, SGA will have won his first two rings āĀ like his first two MVPs āĀ in Years 7 and 8.
James is either the best or second-best player in the history of the game, and Gilgeous-Alexander, whose rise to stardom was much more gradual than Jamesā, is pacing to be an all-time great himself.
With Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets out of the playoffs, we can all agree that SGA is the best player remaining in the postseason. James, 14 years SGAās elder, used to hold that title annually.
Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about James on the eve of Game 1 of Thunder-Lakers ā a series that will pit two greats in diverging stages of their careers.
āWe can sit here all day and talk about things heās done for the game,ā SGA said Monday. āThe guyās one of the best players to ever pick up a basketball, like in the history of human beings.ā
Since James Naismith figured out a way to repurpose a peach basket.
āYou guys donāt need me to sit here and tell you how great of a player LeBron James is ā¦ obviously heās a little bit out of his prime, but heās still very, very capable,ā SGA said.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won his first MVP in Year 7 and is expected to win another in Year 8.
What years did LeBron James win his first two MVPs?
LeBron James won his first two MVPs in Years 6 and 7 of his career.
When did LeBron James win his first two NBA titles?
LeBron James won his first two NBA titles in Years 9 and 10 of his career.
Who is the best player remaining in the NBA playoffs?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is considered the best player remaining in the postseason after Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets were eliminated.
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Oklahoma City 's Jalen Williams tries to get a steal from LeBron James (23) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Luguentz Dort (5) racts after a dunk next during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles' Luke Kennard (10) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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See Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers photos
Oklahoma City 's Jalen Williams tries to get a steal from LeBron James (23) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
1 / 3
See Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers photos
Oklahoma City 's Jalen Williams tries to get a steal from LeBron James (23) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
2 / 3
See Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers photos
Oklahoma City 's Luguentz Dort (5) racts after a dunk next during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
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Get ready for Round 1 of NBA Playoffs with our best OKC Thunder photos
Oklahoma City 's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles' Luke Kennard (10) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Marcus Smart leads former OSU Cowboys in NBA playoff games
Marcus Smart has been a playoff mainstay ever since the Celtics selected the former Oklahoma State guard with the sixth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
In 12 NBA seasons, the 32-year-old has played in 10 postseasons.
A first-year Laker, Smart was excellent in Round 1 against the Rockets. He averaged 14.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Smart started all six games.
Expect the aging defensive ace to get a heavy dose of SGA in Round 2 against the Thunder.
Hereās where Smart ranks among former Cowboys in number of NBA playoff games:
1. Marcus Smart: 114. Smart played in 108 playoff games in his nine seasons as a Celtic. He ranks 15th among active players in playoff games. LeBron James is No. 1 with 298.
2. Tony Allen: 112. Fifty-six games with the Celtics. Fifty-six games with the Grizzlies.
3. John Starks: 96. Starks played in fewer games, but he logged almost 900 more playoff minutes than Allen.
4. Richard Dumas: 26. The Tulsa native made 20 playoff starts as a rookie for the 1992-93 Suns, which lost to Michael Jordanās Bulls in the NBA Finals.
5. Bob Harris: 21. Harris played for the Fort Wayne Pistons and the Boston Celtics in the early 1950s.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Where Austin Reaves ranks among former Sooners in playoff points
From Newark, Arkansas, to Wichita State, to OU, to the Los Angeles Lakers. Itās been quite the rise for Austin Reaves, who went undrafted in 2021 after averaging 18.3 points in his senior season with the Sooners.
Now heās one of the savviest scorers in the NBA. Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points in 51 games this season.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring) out, Reaves, along with LeBron James, will have to be a consistent source of offense for the Lakers if theyāre to have any chance of hanging with the Thunder.
Hereās where Reaves, playing in his fourth postseason in five years with the Lakers, ranks among former Sooners in NBA playoff points.
1. Blake Griffin: 1,238. The Lob City Clippers always came up short, but man were they fun to watch. Griffin was the biggest reason why.
2. Alvan Adams: 1,076. The pride of Putnam City, Adams was a Suns lifer.
3. Mookie Blaylock: 769. Blaylock had a higher career scoring average in the playoffs (14.2 points per game) than he did in the regular season (13.5).
4. Trae Young: 713. Young is only five years removed from being the best player on an Eastern Conference Finals team.
5. Garfield Heard: 602. Playing for the Buffalo Braves, Bulls and Suns.
6. Clifford Ray: 496. Ray was the leading rebounder on the Warriorsā 1975 title team.
7. Austin Reaves: 472. Reaves has averaged 16.9 points in 28 career playoff games.
Los Angeles' Austin Reaves (15) and LeBron James (23) talks with fans during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Los Angeles' Austin Reaves (15) and LeBron James (23) talks with fans during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angelos Lakers in Oklahoma City, Thursday April 2, 2026.
Taking a spin on Tankathon
Weāve reached the point in the NBA calendar when ping-pong balls take center stage. The NBA draft lottery will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Time to take our old friend, tankathon.com, for a spin (or 10). The Thunder, which owns the Clippersā pick from the interminable Paul George trade, has a 7.1% chance of landing a top-four pick, including a 1.5% chance at the No. 1 pick.
