16 video games into this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is posting the finest numbers of his profession.
After averaging 18.2 factors per recreation in his first 4 seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander is sort of doubling that this at 31.1 factors this yr. Gilgeous-Alexander can be meting out a career-high six assists per recreation whereas capturing a career-high 52.6 p.c from the subject and 90.8 p.c from the free throw line.
He’s doing all of it whereas managing a heavier workload that hasn’t lowered his effectivity.
Last season he posted a utilization charge — which calculates the proportion of staff possessions {that a} participant both makes an attempt a subject objective, free throw or commits a turnover — of 30.8. This season, he has a utilization charge of 32.9 utilization. Typically, increased quantity correlates with bigger counting stats, however that isn’t sufficient to clarify Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise.
So what else is totally different about Gilgeous-Alexander this season? For starters, he’s lastly wholesome after taking part in simply 91 out of a potential 154 video games (59.1 p.c) the final two seasons.
Staying wholesome is one thing that’s hampered Gilgeous-Alexander throughout his time with the Thunder. So far this season, he’s managed to deal with the huge workload and minutes he’s been assigned whereas taking part in 15 of the staff’s 16 video games.
The different massive cause why Gilgeous-Alexander is a 30-point scorer this season is his change in shot weight loss plan.
“His game just continues to get better,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “He’s obviously doing a lot in the midrange right now. His three-point percentage has snuck up to about 40 percent. He’s getting to the line. He’s obviously doing it in every which way.”
After making an attempt 5.1 3-pointers per recreation the final two seasons, that quantity has been decreased to 2.9 makes an attempt this season. Gilgeous-Alexander can be taking extra midrange photographs this season in contrast to earlier years.
Gilgeous-Alexander is taking half of his photographs in the midrange this season, which places him in the 94th percentile in the league. Last season, that quantity was simply at 41 p.c of his photographs, the 76th percentile in the league.
Midrange makes an attempt throughout the league have decreased in latest yr, but it surely’s change into the go-to weapon for a top-four scorer in the league.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s free-throw frequency is up too.
After main the league in drives per recreation the final two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander is lastly getting a pleasant whistle this yr. He leads the league in drives as soon as once more at 24.4 per recreation whereas averaging a career-high 8.2 free-throw makes an attempt this season, tied for eighth-highest in the league.
It’s unlikely Gilgeous-Alexander continues his present scoring tempo. Steph Curry, James Harden and Damian Lillard are the solely guards in league historical past who’ve had seasons averaging over 30 factors whereas posting a real capturing proportion of 60 or increased. Despite the potential regression, the manner Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring the ball is sustainable.
Maybe the midrange capturing proportion comes down a bit, however he ought to proceed to make his manner to the free throw line for simple factors.
At 24 years outdated, Gilgeous-Alexander is getting into his prime years and will solely get higher as he progresses in the NBA.
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