“He [became] that guy because of how he works, how he performs, how he finishes games.” That’s John Calipari speaking of Shai, still a freshman. From a least ranked recruit in the Wildcats 2017 class, the 6-foot-6 point guard would go on to make a de facto captain for the legendary coach that year. All-star, Olympics, and record to trail Michael Jordan, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has outperformed his ranking ever since, and Calipari beamed in pride. But after all those years, just when you’d think he couldn’t surprise anymore, Shai did.
This one came not in the monster 40-point performance, a new record, or a game that would elevate his MVP performance. But a gesture Shai has made a routine every home game.
“The thing that impressed me the most about Shai yesterday wasn’t scoring 40 or leading his team to a win,” Calipari said in his tweet. And let us tell you, the game night was impressive on its own. The OKC Thunder icon dropped a third straight 40-point performance against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference top-seed clash and led his team to yet another victory 127-103. That improved the Thunder’s record to 52-11 and made the case for Shai’s MVP race. But if you ask Coach Cal, the 3-time All-Star strengthened his case even before the game began.
“It happened after his pregame warmup. He hugged us and we laughed the he proceeded to walk to the 1000s of fans along the baseline and sideline leading to their tunnel. It wasn’t a fly by he spent time, and then I was told he does it EVERY home game and that’s why they lineup. MVP move,” the coach continued. Well yes, Shai and fan interactions are a tale for young enthusiasts, no matter the team. Because this one is from one fan to another.
Credit: Imagn
Shai has made it a routine to sign jerseys and interact with fans for 10 minutes at every home game. When asked the reason behind, he reveals it stems from personal experience. “I used to be a kid and wanted autographs. And I just think like, if I had a chance to get Kobe Bryant’s autograph, as a kid, I would do anything for it. So I try to take a few minutes to make a kid’s dream come true,” he said in a post-game press conference. He keeps it up every time because he knows fans come with expectations every other night, and he would hate to disappoint.
Just about a month ago, when SGA stepped on the court for the game against Portland, a young fan would shout from the courtside: “Can I have your jersey after the game? It’s my birthday.” You bet he made that kid’s day. After dropping a 35-point performance, he headed straight the fan, took off his jersey, signed it for him, and there wasn’t a happiest kid at that moment.
It isn’t all about the hardwood, and Calipari knows. Maybe another reason he’d now place Shai slightly above the rest.
John Calipari recognizes SGA from the sea of Wildcats
Coach Cal knew Gilgeous-Alexander was special when he joined the Wildcats just days before the season would begin. He wasn’t the biggest name, a consensus four-start recruit, and 7th-highest rated recruit in the 8-man class. Shai wasn’t a McDonald‘s All-American or a Jordan Brand Classic invitee. The rookie didn‘t even start 13 of the Wildcats‘ first 15 games.
But as the season progressed and Kentucky was unable to find consistency, Calipari saw one thing—Shai was always doing the right thing. He never missed school, neither missed a tutoring session or missed weightlifting. The freshman was working out at 7 a.m. with assistant coach Joel Justus and watching film mercilessly. He particularly worked on decreasing his turnovers, and soon, he was leading his team.
So when the coach said, “I’ve been proud of all of these guys and what they’ve done. But, for how hard (Gilgeous-Alexander) worked, how committed he was, what a great teammate he was. … He’s become like the MVP of the NBA. He has earned every step. And when you earn it, you can’t take it away,” he meant every word.
The Thunder, now 53-11 and dominant, lead the West by 12 games. And as rated by the NBA, he’s the only man aside from Michael Jordan to achieve 30-more than points per 40 contests over three in a row. Humble, hardworking, SGA is special and his former coach is letting that be known.
The post John Calipari Claims Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40-Point Game Wasn’t the Most Impressive Thing About Him appeared first on EssentiallySports.
