The mayor of Thunder announced: Gilgers Alexander surpasses Durant Westbrook s best team history

In the celebration parade of Oklahoma City Thunder's first championship in team history, one sentence ignited the entire NBA circle - Mayor David Holt announced in public that Shay Gilgers-Alexander was the "greatest player to wear this jersey". This sentence is like a bombshell, pushing the 26-year-old Canadian defender to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

For a time, debates about the best player in the history of the Thunder were rampant. Supporters believe that the championship ring is the best proof; doubters believe that how can historical status be determined based on just one season? But anyway, Gilgers Alexander completely rewritten the historical narrative of the Thunder with a perfect 2024-25 season.

From 68 wins to championship: Gilgers Alexander's legendary season

numbers won't lie. Gilgers Alexander's performance in the 2024-25 season is phenomenal: he averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks in the regular season, with a shooting percentage of 51.9% and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%. Such comprehensive data is difficult to reach even Durant and Westbrook at their peak.

What's more shocking is that he led the Thunder to a record of 68 wins and 14 losses in team history. What does this number mean? You know, even the Thunder team that reached the Finals in 2012 had only 47 wins and 19 losses in the regular season. 68 wins, this is a number that can make any NBA team proud for a lifetime. The trophy for the regular season MVP is just the beginning for Gilgers Alexander. The real test is in the playoffs, on the stage where every game is about life and death. Facing the youth storm of the Memphis Grizzlies, he responded calmly; facing the Denver Nuggets' defending champion heritage, he fought back with perseverance; facing the Minnesota Timberwolves' defensive iron wall, he cracked it with skills.

The final finals, seven games against the Indiana Pacers. Average of 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.6 blocks, and a shooting percentage of 44.3% - such data is enough to prove that Gilgers Alexander is not only the king of the regular season, but also a superstar at critical moments.

The seventh final game, 29 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal, a perfect performance of 40 minutes. When the final whistle sounded and the score was frozen at 103-91, Oklahoma City finally waited for its own championship. The MVP trophy in the finals is the best summary of Gilgers Alexander this season.

Beyond Senior: Why mayor dare to assert this way

Mayor Holt's words were not on a whim, but were supported by sufficient reasons. Let's take a look at the data comparison between the various parties in this "best history" battle. The Thunder in the Durant era has indeed been brilliant. The 2014 regular season MVP, the 2012 finals runner-up, and the four Western Conference Finals, these honors are enough to make any player proud. But the key problem is that there is no championship. Basketball is a team sport. No matter how many personal honors are, if you cannot lead the team to the top, you will always leave regrets.

Wei Shao's situation is even more complicated. The feat of averaging triple-double in 2017 shocked the league, and the average triple-double in three consecutive seasons is unprecedented. But the same problem is ahead: there is no championship. Even after Durant left, Westbrook led the team alone for several seasons, the Thunder's playoff performance was not ideal.

In contrast, Gilgers Alexander's advantage is obvious: he has something that neither of the first two superstars do—the championship ring. In the NBA, a league that judges heroes by victory or defeat, the weight of the champion is irreplaceable. More importantly, he not only won the championship, but also won the championship as an absolute core.

From a data perspective, Gilgers Alexander's 2024-25 season is not inferior. The average score of 32.7 points exceeded that of Durant's season with the Thunder, and his 51.9% shooting percentage showed amazing efficiency. 6.4 assists proved his organizational ability, and 1.7 steals reflect his defensive contribution. This is a truly offensive and defensive superstar.

Cultural Reshaping: From personal heroism to team basketball

Gilgers Alexander's influence on the Thunder goes far beyond the data level. He represents a brand new basketball culture - from the star-driven culture of the "Dewey era" to the team-based culture of the "Gilgers era".

In the speech at the championship parade, Gilgers-Alexander's words were simple and profound: "Don't forget such moments—those like this in life are not often present. Make sure you enjoy this moment with your family, friends, and lovers...Don't forget those who helped you and us get here. Never betray them—just like we as a team, as a community, as Oklahoma City. "

This statement does not reflect personal ostentation, but gratitude to the team, to the community, and to the city. This leadership temperament is exactly what Durant and Westbrook lacked in the era of. Durant finally chose to leave the Thunder and join the Warriors. Although Westbrook is loyal, his style of play reflects more of his personal touch.

Gilgers Alexander's success also inspired the young core of the Thunder. Young players such as Jaren Williams, Chet Homegren, and Josh Gidedy have all grown up in this championship season. This inheritance effect is the basis for establishing a dynasty.

Controversy still exists: historical status needs time to be tested

Although the mayor's statement has caused heated discussion, the debate about the best player in the Thunder's history is far from over. The point of view that supports Gilgers Alexander is clear: the triple combination of champion, regular season MVP, and finals MVP is a height that neither Durant nor Westbrook has reached.

But the opposition is equally reasonable and well-founded. Durant played for nine seasons with the Thunder, and Westbrook spent eleven years. Their contribution and influence to this team cannot be ignored. From a historical perspective, Durant is an NBA historical scorer, and Westbrook is the holder of the triple-double record. Their personal achievements and influence do surpass the current Gilgers Alexander.

The more critical issue is sustainability. Can a season of glory represent the entire career? Can Gilgers Alexander continue to maintain this level in the next few years? Can you lead the Thunder to build a real dynasty? The answers to these questions will take time to give.

From another perspective, there are many short-lived examples in NBA history. Derek Ross was also the youngest regular season MVP in 2011, but injuries changed everything. Although Gilgers Alexander is in a hot state, at the age of 26, he still needs to prove that he can maintain his peak level for a long time.

The beginning of a new era: The Thunder's future prospects

Regardless of the controversy, one thing is certain: Gilgers Alexander has opened a new era for the Thunder. This championship is not only a reward for past efforts, but also a commitment to the future.

From the perspective of lineup composition, the Thunder have one of the youngest championship rosters in the league. Gilgers Alexander is 26 years old, Williams is 23 years old, and Homgren is 22 years old. Such an age structure means they still have a long peak period. If it can stay healthy, it is entirely possible for this team to build a dynasty that lasts for many years.

From a management perspective, Thunder General Manager Sam Presti's operation is textbook-level. Through a series of savvy trades and drafts, he has accumulated a lot of young talent and draft picks for the team. This sustainable development model provides guarantee for the team's long-term competitiveness. The role of coach Mark Dignot cannot be ignored. He successfully combined this group of young players into a whole and established a tactical system with team basketball as the core. The formation of this chemical reaction is often more precious than simply building talent.

Conclusion: The words of Mayor Holt, the writer of history, may become a classic moment in NBA history. Not because of its controversy, but because it marks a transition to an era. From Durant's departure, to Westbrook's trade, to Gilgers Alexander's crowning, the Thunder took nearly ten years to finally find their own answer.

Did Gilgers Alexander really surpass Durant and Westbrook to become the best in the Thunder's history? This question may never have a standard answer. But one thing is for sure: he won a place in Thunder history with a perfect season.

More importantly, he brought long-lost glory to the city. As Oklahoma City fans celebrate with the championship trophy, as kids run through the streets wearing Gilgers-Alexander jerseys, the significance of history has gone beyond the comparison of data and honors.

As the Thunder enters a new era, are fans ready to embrace Gilgers Alexander's best in history as a team? Let's wait and see his future performance. After all, true greatness is not achieved overnight, but is slowly settled in the long river of time. The story of Gilgers-Alexander has just begun.