Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Dominance in the League

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is undeniably in an enviable position right now.

As the current MVP, he guides the Thunder, who are also the reigning champions. There’s a good chance he could repeat that success. His team seems poised for another run at the title.

This was supposed to be Luka Doncic’s story.

Unfortunately, Doncic finds himself sidelined on Tuesday night as the Lakers prepare to face off against the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. He’s watching from the bench—an ironic twist, considering that many believed he would be the one shining brightly in this moment.

Doncic is nursing a hamstring strain, and this injury has put him out indefinitely. He was anticipated to be the next big star in the league.

While Gilgeous-Alexander shows off his MVP trophy, Doncic continues to wait for his moment in the spotlight.

Both players were drafted in 2018, with Doncic going third to the Mavericks and Gilgeous-Alexander being picked 11th by the Hornets, only to be traded that night to the Clippers. It was clear early on that Doncic was destined for greatness.

A survey of NBA general managers prior to the 2020-21 season revealed that if they could build a franchise from scratch, Doncic was among the top choices, tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But here we are, eight years later, and Doncic still hasn’t captured a championship or an MVP award.

On the other hand, Gilgeous-Alexander has risen to the peak of the NBA. He led the Thunder to the best record in the league for the second straight year, and his teammates, according to a recent player survey, believe he deserves another MVP title this season.

As for Doncic, it’s worth noting he didn’t even make the MVP finalist list this year, despite impressive stats, including leading the league in scoring and finishing third in assists.

His season started off well until the hamstring strain he suffered on April 2 put a damper on everything. Remarkably, in March, he scored over 600 points, joining Michael Jordan in an exclusive club, helping the Lakers achieve a 16-2 record during that span.

Despite being a generational player, Doncic’s path hasn’t unfolded as many expected. The narrative was that he would guide the Mavericks to glory, snag a couple of MVPs, and ideally, retire in Dallas.

Yet, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s career has skyrocketed, Doncic’s has taken a few more twists and turns.

There was a moment when their journeys connected during the 2024 playoffs, where Doncic helped the Mavericks beat the Thunder in six games. It seemed everything was falling into place for him.

However, just eight months later, a trade to the Lakers left him stunned and disheartened.

The sentiments in Dallas were mixed; some were frustrated with Doncic over concerns regarding his fitness and defensive commitment.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has made an impressive transition from a potential talent to a top-tier superstar. Since his trade to the Thunder in 2019, he’s thrived, supported by key players like Chet Holmgren and Jaylen Williams, expertly recruited by Thunder GM Sam Presti.

Last season, the Thunder truly dominated.

Now they’re gearing up for another playoff run, equipped with the league’s best defense, and Gilgeous-Alexander is leading all postseason scorers.

This season was meant to be a comeback for Doncic. He began training camp arguably in the best shape of his life, guiding the Lakers to a solid fourth-place finish in the West.

But then the hamstring strain hit, sidelining him during the first round against the Rockets.

Now, he’s stuck watching from the sidelines, unable to play against the very player whose career trajectory many thought he’d have.

Doncic was envisioned as the leader of the league, but until he helps his team reach the summit, the focus remains on Gilgeous-Alexander.